Interesting facts about Red Square Is a great opportunity to learn more about the sights of Moscow. In ancient times, active trade was conducted here. During the Soviet era, military parades and demonstrations were held on the square, but after the collapse of the USSR, it began to be used for major events and concerts.
So, here are the most interesting facts about Red Square.
- The famous Lobnoye Place is located on Red Square, where various criminals were executed during the era of tsarist Russia.
- The Red Square is 330 meters long and 75 meters wide, with a total area of 24,750 m².
- In the winter of 2000, for the first time in history, Red Square was flooded with water, resulting in a huge ice rink.
- In 1987, a young German amateur pilot, Matthias Rust, flew out of Finland (see interesting facts about Finland) and landed right on Red Square. The entire world press wrote about this unprecedented case.
- During the Soviet Union, cars and other vehicles drove across the square.
- Did you know that the famous Tsar Cannon, intended to protect the Kremlin, was never used for its intended purpose?
- The paving stones on Red Square are gabbrodolerite - a mineral of volcanic origin. It is curious that it was mined in the territory of Karelia.
- Philologists still cannot agree on the origin of the name of Red Square. According to one version, the word "red" was used in the sense of "beautiful". At the same time, until the 17th century, the square was simply called "Torg".
- An interesting fact is that in 1909, during the reign of Nicholas II, a tram first passed through Red Square. After 21 years, the tram line was dismantled.
- In 1919, when the Bolsheviks were in power, torn shackles were laid on the Execution Ground, symbolizing liberation from the "shackles of tsarism."
- The exact age of the area has not yet been determined. Historians believe that it was finally formed in the 15th century.
- In 1924, a Mausoleum was erected on Red Square, where Lenin's body was placed. An interesting fact is that it was originally made of wood.
- The only monument on the square is the monument to Minin and Pozharsky.
- In 2008, the Russian authorities decided to overhaul Red Square. However, due to material difficulties, the project had to be postponed. As of today, only a partial replacement of the coating is taking place.
- One gabbro-doleritic tile, from which the area is laid out, has a size of 10 × 20 cm. It can withstand a weight of up to 30 tons and is designed for a thousand-year service life.