Red Square, Moscow (must see)

Red Square (Russian: Krasnaya Ploshchad) is by far the most famous spot in Moscow. Located in the center of the city, 330 meters long by 70 meters wide, it represents in many ways the very “heart of Russia”. In large part, this is due to the adjoining Kremlin, a historic fortress and the seat of the Russian government. Both, Red Square and the Kremlin are designated UNESCO World Heritage Sites since 1990.

Built in the late 15th century, the square has been consistently a focal point in the social and political life of Imperial Russia, the Soviet Union, and then the Russian Federation. Over the years, it has seen numerous events: executions, demonstrations, historic speeches and even rock concerts (by the likes of Pink Floyd, Scorpions and Paul McCartney). Each year, on May 9, Red Square hosts a military parade celebrating Victory in the Great Patriotic War of 1941-1945.

Contrary to the popular presumption, the name “red” does not refer to the pigment of the Kremlin bricks (which were, in fact, whitewashed at some point in history) nor has anything to do with the “redness” of communism. It reality, it derives from the second meaning of the word “krasnaya” which is the archaic Russian for "beautiful, pretty”, and has been attached to the square since the late 17th century.

Why You Should Visit:
Awash with landmarks: Kremlin to the west, GUM store to the east, the State Historical Museum to the north, and the Cathedral of St. Basil the Blessed to the south. Next to it is the Lobnoye Mesto, a white stone platform from the 16th century – a place for public proclamations.
Lenin’s mausoleum, the final resting place of Vladimir Lenin, founder of the Soviet Union, is by the Kremlin Wall. Right behind it are the graves of major political leaders and heroes of the Soviet Union, including Joseph Stalin.

Tip:
Coming at night is a good idea, when the nearby buildings are illuminated.
If you're a keen skater, make sure to visit in winter, when a skate rink is on.