<strong>Moscow's Red Square</strong>: Moscow's Red Square is one of the city's most famous spots -- its attractions include the domed St Basil's Cathedral (pictured left), the GUM department store and the embalmed body of Soviet Union founder Vladimir Lenin, in Lenin's Mausoleum (pictured right).
Moscow's Red Square: Moscow's Red Square is one of the city's most famous spots -- its attractions include the domed St Basil's Cathedral (pictured left), the GUM department store and the embalmed body of Soviet Union founder Vladimir Lenin, in Lenin's Mausoleum (pictured right).
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<strong>Tourist attraction</strong>: Lenin's resting place and the surrounding area is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Once a place of almost religious importance in Soviet culture, it's now seen by many as just another tourist spot, alongside the Red Square's other offerings.
Tourist attraction: Lenin's resting place and the surrounding area is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Once a place of almost religious importance in Soviet culture, it's now seen by many as just another tourist spot, alongside the Red Square's other offerings.
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<strong>Reverent atmosphere</strong>: There's a no-cellphone and no-photography policy inside Lenin's mausoleum and guards keep visitors moving swiftly.
Reverent atmosphere: There's a no-cellphone and no-photography policy inside Lenin's mausoleum and guards keep visitors moving swiftly.
<strong>Preservation history</strong>: Lenin's embalmed body is preserved in the tomb, seemingly unchanged from the day of his death in 1924. He lies behind bulletproof glass in an elaborate casket.
Preservation history: Lenin's embalmed body is preserved in the tomb, seemingly unchanged from the day of his death in 1924. He lies behind bulletproof glass in an elaborate casket.
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<strong>Future debate</strong>: The mausoleum remains a busy site, but a poll conducted in March 2017 found that at least 58% of Russians are in favor of removing Lenin's body from display.
Future debate: The mausoleum remains a busy site, but a poll conducted in March 2017 found that at least 58% of Russians are in favor of removing Lenin's body from display.
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<strong>History</strong>: When Russia was a Soviet state, long lines used to gather outside Lenin's tomb. Nowadays there's less solemnity surrounding proceedings.
History: When Russia was a Soviet state, long lines used to gather outside Lenin's tomb. Nowadays there's less solemnity surrounding proceedings.
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<strong>Divided opinion</strong>: If Lenin is removed from public display, public opinion is divided as to what to do with the body -- 32% believe Lenin should be buried at the Kremlin and 26% agree with Lenin's dying wish to be buried next to his mother in St. Petersburg's Volkovo Cemetery.
Divided opinion: If Lenin is removed from public display, public opinion is divided as to what to do with the body -- 32% believe Lenin should be buried at the Kremlin and 26% agree with Lenin's dying wish to be buried next to his mother in St. Petersburg's Volkovo Cemetery.
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<strong>Other attractions</strong>: If you don't want to visit an embalmed corpse, the Red Square and the surrounding area offers other attractions. Muzeon Arts Park also has several Lenin statues and busts -- his likeness is still spotted across Moscow.
Other attractions: If you don't want to visit an embalmed corpse, the Red Square and the surrounding area offers other attractions. Muzeon Arts Park also has several Lenin statues and busts -- his likeness is still spotted across Moscow.
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<strong>Continuity</strong>: Richard Lourie, author of "Putin: His Downfall and Russia's Coming Crash" says the enduring presence of Lenin's likeness post-fall of the USSR is because he provides continuity: "People's values were turned upside down. And so keeping the mausoleum makes sense to them."
Continuity: Richard Lourie, author of "Putin: His Downfall and Russia's Coming Crash" says the enduring presence of Lenin's likeness post-fall of the USSR is because he provides continuity: "People's values were turned upside down. And so keeping the mausoleum makes sense to them."
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<strong>Glimpse of history</strong>: While there's less reverence around the mausoleum these days, it remains an experience that offers a glimpse of Soviet culture and Russian history.
Glimpse of history: While there's less reverence around the mausoleum these days, it remains an experience that offers a glimpse of Soviet culture and Russian history.
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