The GUM

This largest in Moscow State Department Store was built in the end of the19th century on the east side of Red Square to house more than 1000 shops. The facade of GUM occupies almost the entire eastern side of Red Square. The building features an interesting combination of elements of Russian medieval architecture and a steel framework and glass roof. This modern 3-story shopping arcade is the largest one in Moscow, and was built to replace the old hall of the Upper Trading Rows which existed earlier on the same site but burnt down in 1825. Before the 1917 Revolution, various receptions and exhibitions were organized in its magnificent rectangular room. Today the GUM is the main shopping mall in Moscow which houses plenty of famous international stores.