Familiarising yourself with the cultural heritage, landmarks of the country you are studying is learning an important element. This way you not only become familiar with certain vocabulary and grammatical structures, but also understand how mentality and worldview influence the Russian language. One of Russia’s most iconic landmarks is its main square, the Red Square.
The square, which is now considered the country’s main square, appeared around the 15th century end. When Ivan III built the new fortress walls, he forbade building on the square eastern side, and a vacant square appeared there. It was not yet called Red Square. There are several theories as to why the square is called “красная / red“. The most common, course, has to do with a related word «красивая / beautiful». But historians have other suggestions.
In Russian, the word “красный / red” used to mean “самый важный / the most important“, “главный / the main“.
Under Peter I, the wooden churches on the square were broken; the square itself was cleared, protecting the buildings from fires. In the late XVIII – early XIX centuries, the square transformation continued. Wooden buildings were removed, the square was paved with cobblestones, retail shops were demolished, the moat was filled in, and shopping malls connected the square with Kitay-Gorod. The trading function was lost, and folk festivals and solemn events began to be held on the square.
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In the XX century, Red Square underwent several more changes, getting a finished look — the one you see today. Since 1918, parades have been held here. In addition, so that the equipment could safely pass, it was necessary to demolish the Resurrection Gate and the Kazan Cathedral. Until 1930, a tram ran through the square, and since 1963, the motor transport movement has also been prohibited.
Now Red Square is a popular tourist place, a pedestrian zone paved with paving stones, you can get here even at night. The square is under UNESCO protection. Red Square is not the largest in the world and even in Russia, but for tourists it is interesting both from view an architectural point and due to various attractions.
Red Square is 330 metres long and 75 metres wide. So you can plan to visit its attractions all in one day.
Red Square today
In 2000, at the century turn, a free skating rink was organized on Red Square, but it did not gain popularity. And in 2006, a commercial ice rink appeared on this place, where you can still ride for free at a certain time. At the same time, the skating rink accommodates 450 people and is open from December to March.
Since 1993, professional photo and video shooting has not been allowed on the square (amateur photography is allowed). And since 2001, it is impossible to ride bicycles on Red Square — everything is for the tourists convenience and the architectural appearance preservation.
Do you want to learn more about the Russia sights, learn Russian with immersion in culture? Sign up for Russian as a foreign language courses Leader, and you will discover new things a lot.
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