Lenin's Mausoleum, Granite mausoleum in Red Square, Moscow, Russia
Lenin's Mausoleum is a granite tomb in Red Square, Moscow, Russia, housing a body inside a glass coffin. The structure rises with pyramid-shaped tiers of black and red stone, stepping upward to a viewing platform, beneath which lies the burial chamber.
Alexey Shchusev designed the stone construction in 1929 as a permanent version of an earlier wooden structure. That first temporary construction had been built shortly after the Soviet leader's death in January 1924.
Many people come here to see a part of Soviet history and treat the visit as a silent, respectful ritual. Guards stand motionless at the entrances and expect all visitors to maintain a serious demeanor during the passage.
Access is available only Tuesday through Sunday in the morning, and visitors pass through a controlled entrance with security screening. Photography, filming and loud talking are not permitted inside.
During World War Two, the body was evacuated 2100 miles (3400 km) to Tyumen in Siberia to protect it from a possible capture of Moscow. A team of specialists accompanied the transport and stayed there until the end of the war to maintain the preservation.
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