LENIN’S MAUSOLEUM

Description

Essentials about Lenin’s Mausoleum in brief

It is probably the most famous mausoleum of a statesman of modern times in the whole world: Lenin’s Mausoleum. Anyone walking across Red Square will inevitably come across the tomb of the revolutionary leader standing in the middle of Moscow’s most famous square. The body of Vladimir Ilyich Ulyanov (Lenin’s real name) has been laid out there since his death in 1924.

The history of Lenin’s Mausoleum

Lenin’s funeral was a state event orchestrated by Joseph Stalin. Lenin actually wanted to be buried in St. Petersburg next to his mother and had decreed, especially before his death, that no personality cult should be conducted around his person. The family members, especially his wife, opposed the embalming of his body, but Stalin would not budge on the matter.

The first mausoleum was smaller than the present structure and was made entirely of oak. It was built in only three days in January 1924, in front of the Kremlin wall. Since it was more of a temporary structure, the same architect, Alexei Shchusev, commissioned by the state government had a larger mausoleum built in the summer of 1924, similar in shape and size to the present one, but still made of oak. This structure housed Lenin’s body for five years. However, the wood of the mausoleum began to rot after only a few years, so in 1930 it was decided to build a new one of stone. This new building represents the structure that can still be seen, made of fine Labrador stone and dark red granite.

During World War II, the mausoleum was covered with wood and shrouded to protect it from German air raids, but it had to be restored after the war ended. Lenin’s body itself survived the war unscathed, as his coffin was evacuated. After the end of the war, the body was brought back to Moscow in June 1945. After his death in 1953, Stalin lay next to Lenin in the mausoleum for several years. The inscription above the main entrance was changed to “Lenin Stalin” at that time. However, in the course of de-Stalinization, party leader Khrushchev had Stalin’s body removed from the mausoleum in 1961 and buried in the cemetery of honor behind the mausoleum on the Kremlin wall.

Lenin’s body and coffin

Lenin lies in an illuminated coffin made of bulletproof glass, laid out in the mausoleum. The temperature inside the coffin is kept at a constant seven degrees Celsius, the humidity is low and also constant. The preservation of the corpse is a highly complex task. Even in the days of the Soviet Union, a host of scientists took care of the optimal preservation of the corpse. Since the beginning of the 21st century, a team of more than ten scientists has been checking Lenin’s body twice a week, and every two years the mausoleum is closed for two months to carry out scheduled prophylactic work on the corpse. In addition to biochemical work on the mummy, Lenin also receives a new suit in this course.

Lenin’s Mausoleum as a place of interest

In the Soviet Union, Lenin’s Mausoleum was considered one of the most important sights in the country and many millions of Soviet citizens visited (voluntarily or involuntarily) the memorial of the revolutionary leader every year. Today, tourists and staunch communists are more likely to make a pilgrimage to the mausoleum in Red Square to catch a brief glimpse of Lenin’s body (the time spent in the mausoleum itself is very limited).

Lenin’s Mausoleum as an object of dispute

Lenin’s mausoleum has been a favorite bone of contention in Russian society for years. The Russian Orthodox Church and liberal forces in the country have been a thorn in the side of the mausoleum for years. They demand a proper burial of Lenin’s body and a closure of his tomb. According to polls, a majority of Russians also seem to favor a final burial of Lenin. Socialists and communists, however, are resisting these efforts and are calling for the mausoleum to be preserved – so far with success.