Russian Soldiers, Red Square Parade, Moscow, Russia

The red square in Moscow, Russia is seen as the central square of Russia. It was designed to be the main marketplace for the city. The square was also used as the place where Russia’s Tsars were coroned.

The name for the square comes from the word krasnaya, which has the archaic form preksnaya. This word was first used to refer to Saint Basil’s Cathedral and then was transferred to the square. Many other ancient Russian towns have named their squares Krasnaya ploschad, or red square.