Moscow’s Red Square at Night Red Square has long been the centre stage of Moscow life. It was the scene of ceremonies under the ruling tsars beginning in the 16th century. During the Soviet era, important state holidays such as May Day and the anniversary of the Bolshevik Revolution were celebrated here. The "Red" in the name of Moscow’s Red Square comes not from the colour but from the Russian word krasnaya, meaning "beautiful". In addition to the Kremlin, the most notable structure bordering the famous square is the ornate and beautiful St Basil’s Cathedral.       St Basil’s Cathedral on Red Square Bright sun illuminates the whimsical spires and intricately carved onion domes of St Basil’s Cathedral, Moscow’s most colourful landmark. Built in the 1550s to celebrate Ivan the Terrible’s conquest of Kazan and Astrakhan Province, this extraordinary structure was originally known as the Cathedral of the Intercession of the Virgin. Eight chapels, each with a distinct exterior, surround the central church. Now a museum, St Basil’s is filled with frescoes, icons, and paintings.     Grand Kremlin Palace The River Moskva flows past the gilded domes of the 15th-century Uspensky Cathedral and the imposing Grand Kremlin Palace, which is the youngest of the numerous buildings and churches enclosed by Moscow’s medieval fortress walls. Originally constructed in 1156 and refortified many times to ward off attacks by the Mongols, the Kremlin is today the seat of the Russian government     Rostov Kremlin A visit to Moscow generally includes a tour of the Golden Ring, a network of about half a dozen ancient towns dating from the Middle Ages. These towns share an architectural feature called a kremlin, a fortress built to house and protect churches, government offices, and market places. Many kremlins have been restored in recent years. The oldest of these ancient towns is Rostov, believed to date from the 1st century AD.