Lenin’s Mausoleum

Lenin’s Mausoleum

Lenin’s mausoleum is a large granite structure, whose architecture reflects the style of the early last century. The tomb collects long lines of tourists who have been waiting for a long time just to see this great Soviet historical figure. Since this attraction is only open for a few hours, a trip here must be planned in advance.

Tourists are attracted to great location: next door is the Kremlin complex with the Savior, the Senate and Nikolskaya towers, the monument to Minin and Pozharsky, Okhotny Ryad, place of execution, St. Basil’s Cathedral, Kazan Cathedral , State History Museum.

Opening hours of Lenin’s mausoleum in 2019

In 2019, the leader’s grave can be visited according to the following calendar:

Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday, Sunday: 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
The work schedule is changed periodically in relation to the closure of the maintenance and treatment of the body, or with restoration work.

The history

The debate about Lenin’s traditional funeral continues from the moment of his death and continues today. Many activists consider inhuman to flaunt the deceased, while some call for burial due to political beliefs and a change in the regime. Guests of the capital who are interested in visiting this attraction should not delay the trip to the mausoleum. As the question remains open, there is no guarantee that the grave will always be in the central square.

For the same political reasons, almost a century ago, the citizens of the USSR wanted to preserve the body of the first leader of the proletariat, to show it, thus expressing their respect. Initially, the construction of the mausoleum was made of wood. The floor plan is still kept in the strictest confidence. In the first month after Lenin’s death, the mausoleum was visited by more than one hundred thousand people and it was decided to replace it with a granite building. From then until now, the number of visitors is millions.

In the history of the USSR, there was a case in which Lenin’s body left the mausoleum. In 1941, he was transported to Siberia when Moscow was in danger due to the Nazis. It was believed that the Nazis would destroy the symbol of the USSR. Over time, maintaining the body has proved a challenge. Every eighteen months, Lenin’s body is removed from the sarcophagus and processed in a bath with chemical solutions.

The level of temperature and humidity in the grave is strictly controlled so that the efforts of body caregivers are not in vain and future generations can see such an important historical figure. The body of Joseph Vissarionovich Stalin was placed in the same mausoleum after his death in 1953. However, later, in 1961, the former dictator was removed from the mausoleum and buried near the Kremlin wall along with other political figures of the Union Soviet This was done by order of Secretary General Nikita Sergeyevich Khrushchev, who sacredly honored Lenin’s covenants, but struggled with the cult of Stalin’s personality.

Today, the last restoration work was carried out in 2013. The flow of tourists remains stable throughout the year, including not only Russians, but also many foreigners. In the center of the capital, there are no problems with accommodation. Within walking distance there are many small cozy hotels and expensive fashion hotels with direct views of the main square of the country.

Architectural features

The mausoleum is perfectly inscribed in the architectural complex of the Red Square and looks harmoniously in the context of the battlements of the Kremlin wall. The building has a width of 24 m and a height of 12 m. It looks like an Egyptian pyramid and consists of five steps built with its structures and reinforced and durable reinforced concrete bricks. Granite, porphyry (raspberry quartzite), marble and black labradorite were used in the decoration of the tomb. And the last name of the communist leader is written in red letters above the entrance.

During parades in Red Square, heavy equipment often passes. So that the architectural structure does not experience serious problems due to concussion, the foundation pit, where the reinforced concrete slab of the foundation is located, is covered with clean sand. The last reconstruction of the building was carried out in 2013: the builders strengthened their foundations.

For many years, Soviet leaders and the leaders of the Communist Party spoke from the gallery of the mausoleum to the people. However, since 1996 this practice has been discontinued. Today, when massive parties are held in Red Square, the mausoleum is protected.

The tomb of the Kremlin is considered an integral part of the main square of the Russian capital. It is under the protection of UNESCO and is listed as a World Heritage Site.

What can be seen inside

The grave is always calm. Visitors follow along the same route and are in the mausoleum for about a minute. Twilight reigns inside the building.

The mourning room where the sarcophagus is installed is a square room of 10 m by 10 m. It is decorated in black and red and has a stepped granite ceiling. In front of the entrance, a coat of arms of the USSR of 1930, carved in stone, was placed. However, due to the dim lighting, it is almost impossible to distinguish small details.

Lenin’s body rests on a platform in a bulletproof glass sarcophagus, which is framed by a granite railing. Such precautions were taken in 1973. Lenin wears a black suit, and on his left you can see the badge of a member of the Central Executive Committee of the USSR. The figure of the communist leader stands out especially so that those who pass can see the facial features. It contrasts sharply with the dark environment and, therefore, looks like a hologram.

In addition to the Mourning Hall, in the mausoleum there is a black columbarium room, in whose niches it was planned to preserve the ashes of other dead. But this room was never used, and visitors are not allowed there.

How to enter Lenin’s mausoleum

Visitors can enter the mausoleum from the Alexander Garden. There is no admission fee, but the opening hours are limited, hence the long lines. The line passes fast enough, because visitors to the grave do not stay for long. The total waiting time, as a rule, does not take more than half an hour.

At the entrance you must pass through the control point and the metal detector frame. In the Alexander Garden there is a paid baggage office where you can leave your personal belongings, such as bulky luggage and bulk bags, drinks and any liquid, photography and video equipment, telephones, metal objects that cannot be taken to the tomb.

The order and compliance with the rules are closely monitored, so it is unlikely that they can photograph Vladimir Ilich. Doing this is not worth it either because the camera or phone is removed immediately. The phone can only deposit in the off mode.

How to get to the mausoleum of V.I. Lenin

There are several ways to get to the main square, where the tomb is located:

Meter

The closest metro stations to the mausoleum are “Ploshchad Revolyutsii” of the Arbat-Pokrovskaya line, “Okhotny Ryad” of the Sokolnicheskaya line. You can go a little earlier and walk to the mausoleum on foot, since the center of the capital is full of attractions.

Ground Transportation Modes

The nearest bus stop is called Red Square. Before it are buses number M5 and 158. On the opposite side of the mausoleum a short distance away is a ground transportation stop “Manezhnaya Square” with routes No. K, M1, M2, M3, M27, 144, 243. At night, buses N1 and H2 pass by.

It is very convenient to use Yandex.Taxi, Gett, Maxim and Uber mobile applications to call a taxi.

It is very easy to navigate in the same square, the tomb of the world proletariat leader is near the northeast wall of the Kremlin complex and is seen from all sides of the Red Square, it is impossible to get lost here.