Kremlin Wall Necropolis, Cemetery at Red Square, Moscow, Russia
The necropolis runs along the eastern wall and contains individual graves marked by granite slabs set directly at the base of the fortification. Niches have been carved into the wall itself to hold urns with ashes of the deceased, each marked with inscribed plaques.
The first burials took place in November 1917 during the revolution, when those who fell in the armed uprising were laid to rest here. In the following decades, the site became the burial place for leading figures of the state, until the last interment occurred in 1985.
The name comes from the 15th-century wall that now serves as the backdrop for the graves, its red brick facade stretching above the resting places. Visitors see soldiers in parade uniforms standing motionless before the memorial, changing guard in strict shifts that maintain the ceremonial rhythm.
Access is through Red Square, where visitors can walk along the rows of gravestones and the plaques set into the wall. The changing of the guard at the central monument happens every hour and draws many visitors who wish to observe the ceremony.
The final burial took place in March 1985, bringing to a close a tradition that had lasted nearly seven decades. Since then, the site has remained unchanged and serves only as a memorial without further interments.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
