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GUM (department store)
Pron. goom
Moscow, Russia
GUM,
meaning "main department store," is the name of the principal
department store in many cities in Russia. The most famous GUM is
the one in Moscow facing Red Square. It is actually a shopping mall.
Prior to the 1920s the place was known as the Upper Trading Rows.
After a fire in 1547,
Ivan the Terrible reorganized the lines of wooden shops on the eastern
side into market lines. The streets Ilyinka and Varvarka were divided
into the Upper lines (now GUM department store), Middle lines and
Bottom lines.
Built between 1890 and
1893 by Alexander Pomerantsev and Vladimir Shukhov, the trapezoidal
building features an interesting combination of elements of Russian
medieval architecture and a steel framework and glass roof, a similar
style to the great Victorian train stations of London.
Exterior Southeast view of Red Square Left: GUM ... Center: ??? ... Right: St. Basil's Russian Orthodox Church GUM from the south GUM from the northwest Left entrance features a mansard roof with two dormers. Left entrance features a mansard roof with two dormers. Arches above windows are Russian style horseshoe arches. Left entrance features a Russian style horseshoe arch over restaurant entrance. Left entrance mosaic Mother of God icon. Center entrance features three mansard roof with finials. Center entrance Center entrance detail. Arches above windows are Russian style horseshoe arches. Center entrance double staircase. Center entrance double staircase. |
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