> ## Content Index
> Fetch the complete content index at: https://theparnassian.com/en/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further.

# The 1909 Red Square tram line and the protests of Vasnetsov, Tsvetaev and Shekhtel
- URL: https://theparnassian.com/en/v-1909-godu-cherez-krasnuiu-ploshchad-reshili-prolozhit-tramvai/
- Published: 2023-11-04T09:03:10.000Z
- Updated: 2026-10-02T18:42:35.000Z
- Author: Alexandr Radayev
- Tags: Architecture, Moscow, Heritage, Society

In 1909 it was decided to run a tram across Red Square. The tracks were to pass literally in front of the monument to Minin and Pozharsky, which at that time stood opposite the entrance to the Upper Trading Rows.

Part of the city's public opinion came out sharply against the scheme. Among the chief opponents of a tram in the heart of Moscow were Professor Tsvetaev, the painter Viktor Vasnetsov and the architect Shekhtel. Vasnetsov declared: “In its beauty and historical significance Red Square may be compared with St Mark's Square in Venice. Many people come to Moscow, foreigners too, to look from Red Square at the Kremlin, at the monument to Minin and Pozharsky, which constitutes the pride and glory of Russia, and at St Basil's Cathedral. It will be impossible to admire these monuments if they are cluttered with tram poles, entangled in a whole network of “rings” and “loops”, and carriages keep darting back and forth across the square. Everywhere else monuments are strictly protected, and only here, in Russia, are they left in such neglect.”

The scandal required intervention from the capital, but against the indignation of the intelligentsia at the tram the city authorities set the indignation of merchants and tradesmen at the prospect of its abolition. In the end the tram stayed, but the rails were moved closer to the Kremlin wall. Even after the building of the Mausoleum the tracks were kept. One could ride a tram onto Red Square until the 1930s. The route was abolished to make it more convenient to hold parades.

![](https://theparnassian.com/content/images/2026/09/photo_10242@04-11-2023_12-03-10.jpg)

![](https://theparnassian.com/content/images/2026/09/photo_10243@04-11-2023_12-03-10.jpg)

![](https://theparnassian.com/content/images/2026/09/photo_10244@04-11-2023_12-03-10.jpg)

![](https://theparnassian.com/content/images/2026/09/photo_10245@04-11-2023_12-03-10.jpg)

![](https://theparnassian.com/content/images/2026/09/photo_10246@04-11-2023_12-03-10.jpg)

![](https://theparnassian.com/content/images/2026/09/photo_10247@04-11-2023_12-03-10.jpg)