RED SQUARE

Open square, central Moscow .

It lies north of the Moskva River and covers almost 800,000 sq ft (73,000 sq m). Dating from the late 15th century, it has long been a busy market area as well as a focal point in Russian history, the scene of executions, demonstrations, riots, and parades. Located around it are the State Historical Museum (1875–81), the eight-towered St. Basil's Cathedral (1555–60), the former state department store GUM , and the tomb of Vladimir Ilich Lenin .