Moscow Square, Square in Saint Petersburg, Russia

Moscow Square is a vast public square in Saint Petersburg, Russia, laid out on a grand scale with a wide central block and lower wings. The central section features vertical pilasters between tall windows and a sculpted crest on the roofline, while a dark bronze statue on a tall pedestal stands in front.

The square was created in the 1930s as part of a plan to move the city center south, but construction was interrupted by World War II. It received its official name in 1968, and the metro station opened the following year.

The square's name comes from its location on Moscow Prospect, and locals often use it as a meeting point before heading to the nearby shops or metro. The fountains, which run in the warmer months, draw families and passersby who pause to watch the water jets.

The square is easy to reach on foot from the nearby metro station and has wide open areas that make orientation simple. Visit on a dry day to enjoy the fountains and the monument without crowds, and keep in mind that the open space offers little shade.

The Lenin statue here is the tallest in the city, with the figure alone standing about 26 feet (8 meters) high. During the siege of Leningrad, a training minefield was laid out near the square for sappers and their dogs.