France has the Eiffel tower, India the Taj Mahal, England the Big Ben, Taiwan Taipei 101, .... and Russia has the red square where stands the saint Bazil's cathedral! This place is the heart of Russia: the place where the communists hold endless military parades, where Napoleon woke up while Moscow was burning and where a german pilot succeed to land with his private plane during the cold war. But what is exactualy the red square? It is above all a huge pedestrain area surrounded by the Kremlin (with Lenin and great communits leader's tombs at the bottom of the walls), the GUM (large and beautiful department store), the Saint Bazil's cathedral, and the national historical museum.
The Saint Bazil's cathedral is really a unique building: it seems smaller than what you could expected, but it is maybe due to the size of the red square which seems to make it smaller! This colorful cathedral could have been designed for Disneyworld ! The church has excentric forms and several towers built in different styles. I have to say that I was not very impressed by the inside: it was small, empty, and the view is not that impressive. Yet, it s still worths the visit and Saint Bazil's cathedral is a must see!
I didnt have time to visit the national historical museum, the building is also impressive, but the feedback I had was to avoid to spend your time inside (not that interesting, and disapointing). Behind it, on the left and along the wall of the Kremlin, you will find the unknown soldier tomb, protected by the guard which is changing every hour. You can have a walk in the gardens, and if you continue in this way, you will find the main entrance for the Kremlin fortress, which is today the heart of the russian government! But back in the red square, between the cathedral and the national historical museum and along the Kremlin wall, you will find Lenin's tomb! You should go there very early in the day if you want to visit it. The waiting line is usually very long! And there will be heavy control to be sure that you dont take any picture (cameras are of course forbidden)! Behind the tomb and all along the wall, you will see the tombs of main communist leaders, including Staline. Once you enter the tomb, you won't be allowed to stop to walk! Soldiers will make sure that you keep walking, and you will be able to see Lenin for a very short time only! But the feeling inside the tomb is disturbing. You are in a black room, surrounded by russion soldiers, in the heart of the red square and facing Lenine! You have the feeling to be lost in the time. I even stopped when I was close to tomb, before being kindly pushed by a soldier. The room has no light, exept one which was directli highlighting Lenin's body.
In a very different atmosphere, you can take a rest in the GUM department store, quite impressive and taking a drink there was a really good time. Many shops and bars are available, and the department store becomes a magical place by night! The whole area reminds "les galeries Lafayette" in Paris.
Finally, you can visit the Kremlin, which is still used by russian government and home of the russion president (so the area is well secured). Most of the building will be unaccessible, but the place is the biggest witness of the old Russia. You will find tsars tombs and some insolit items, such as a giant canon (which was never used) and a huge bell! However, I have to confess that I felt a bit bored there, even if the view of the fortress from the Moskova and from the park is really beautiful.
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