I've been searching websites, this site, hotel emails, etc. to no avail. Who knows where to go to find out current info on when or whether Lenin's Tomb is open to American tourists. Most places are very vague, old info, or just "yeah, it's open." I've asked about this before, but now our trip is coming up very soon, April/early May trip to Moscow. Thanks so much for your help.

If it is open it is open to Americans as well as anyone else. Usual opening time is from 0930 to 1300, Tue-Sun. However the tomb was closed earlier in the year for some work and I do not know if it has re-open. Red square was closed when I visited in October, however you were still allowed around the edge of the square, which made for far better photos. Some times you will find streets closed around Red Square on certain occasions such as May Day (1 May) and Victory Day (9 May).

It is open to Americans on the same schedule as Russians . . but you just don't know when it is . . it will close for no apparent reason from time to time. I think I read that he is in for the annual "wash and grease" so he might not be open for visitors for a while.

Rich

Be aware that you are not allowed to take any bags with you into Lenin's tomb. NO exceptions. And good luck getting in ... the guards who were controlling the 'who gets in/who doesn't' line on the day we visited were definitely not in the mood to allow too many non-Russians visitors in. Was literally the next person in line, when, rather abruptly, the guard cupped my elbow, turned me around, and proceeded to growl .. nyet! No misunderstanding his thought process. And I didn't even have a bag with me...

Interesting stories. I walked by there dozens of times but never had the desire to see IT in person.

I thought they got rid of him but still left it open for weddings.

Not sure where to tell you to find info.However, I did go thru Lenin's Tomb a year or so ago.I am sure it is open to American tourists. Takes all of about 3 minutes to see the place. I was at Red Square little over a few weeks ago, and although Red Square has in fact been closed down for some time, except for the perimeters, it was opened and people were walking about Red Square. I did not notice if Lenin's Tomb was open. I assume it was.
However, that was only a week before the recent bombing directly across the street in front of the National Hotel. I have a feeling, that perhaps Red Square maybe closed again as a result of the terrorist bombing.
I'll be back there before you leave on your trip kopp. I will try to find out the specifics as to whats up at Lenin's Tomb and post up here again.

Someone please tell me why do you want to see him? Why? And why you are not allowed to take any bags with you into Lenin's tomb? What can you possibly take from there? His arm?

Hi, Mama:

I suppose we could all ask why you are asking why...different people like seeing different things. Why do people go to wakes?

The reason for the "no bags" rule could be explained in a variety of ways such as bringing in something to deface the place, a bomb, who knows?

I visited 25 years ago when things were very secretive(did not receive our visa till 3 hours before departure at the airport)-I still think that he is the best wax figure I have ever seen!Madame Tussard would be proud!!!!! Just make sure that you do not linger to look at him too long as the guards were nice enough to poke the gun in my back to move me along.

What did they ever do with Stalin's corpse? Was he hung in Red Square on display?

RNC,

A history buff like yourself should know these facts. You can educate yourself at www.aha.ru/~mausoleu/lenin/lenin_sk.htm

PBT

Way too lazy today. Was hoping someone like yourself would do the research for me and summarize it all on this site. Thanks for the tip,anyway!

From 1953 to 1961 Lenin shared the tomb with Stalin. In 1961 Stalin was moved into the wall immediately behind the mausoleum. A better place to visit to see the tombs of former Russian/Soviet elite is the Novodevichy Cemetery. Here you will find Khrushchev and Stalin's wife.

Dutyfree: Lenin is not made of wax......he is the real thing. Originally soaked in a chemical solution and must be "primed" every so often. He is removed and re-soaked and then replaced back in the casket.

Wouldn't that be a lovely job to have - soaking and resoaking Lenin!

Are the tombs of Lenin and Stalin somehow connected to the <b>urinal</b>? I would like to pay the proper respects all at once.

I've been gone a couple days and come back to all these wonderful replies! You're awesome to help out! I thank you. Guess I should have phrased my question &quot;any non-Russians&quot; instead of just Americans. My mistake. Have since heard from the National Hotel, and they also said it's touch and go, right now closed. Also, we'd be there on May Day. Sounds like that may be a problem, too. Thanks for keeping me updated, though. No matter your politics, it just seems like a piece of history worth viewing, morbid as it seems.

The parade on May Day is very interesting. It comes down Tverskaya ul, passing the National Hotel and into Red Square. It is no longer a military parade, but a people parade. It has been estamated to have from 250,000 to 500,000 people. Many interesting people from old Reds to the young New Russians as well as bands and flags. Red Square is closed until the parade is into the square. Security in the area during the parade is very tight, even as an American you would have no problem being a spectator

goldwynn-yes,I know that Lenin is &quot;not&quot; made out of wax and that it is a special process developed by the Russians. I was just saying that if you stopped and really examined him closely he looks very much like a Madame Tussard wax figure. Having gone to Russia in 1979-I had a tendency not to believe much that they were telling me.