暢談世界文化:40 紅場與克林姆林宮 (1/2)

Dr Prince, how are you enjoying it so far? Well, I must say it's very exciting to be in Russia. I'm glad you are enjoying yourself. Today, Red Square and the Kremlin. Wonderful! I can see the Kremlin over there, on the left. And across there is the historic merchant quarter, known as "kitai Gorod". The square separates the Kremlin, the former royal citadel and currently the official residence of the President of Russia, from kitai Gorod. I think the reason that most people say this is the centre of Moscow, even Russia, is because all the major streets go from here out to the highways. Yes, that's true. Do you know the history of the square, its name for example? The name Red Square derives from the Russian word "krasnaya" which means "red". Spot on! Also, it was first known as the centre many years ago, in the 1400s. The land that the Red Square is situated on was originally covered with wooden buildings, which were dangerously susceptible to fires.