GUM
It all began when Catherine II of Russia commissioned Giacomo Quarenghi, a Neoclassical architect from Italy, to design a huge trade center along the east side of Red Square. The existing structure was built to replace the previous trading rows that had been designed by Joseph Bove after the 1812 Fire of Moscow (Wikipedia, 2017). Since then, GUM played different roles throughout the history and now, it is a magnificent department store.
In fact, GUM (pronounced as "goom") is the main department store also known as State Department Store during the Soviet times. GUM is an elegant mall with three floors worth of various shops and boutiques. At the centre of the mall, you will be able to find a gorgeous fountain that has served for decades as a meeting spot and a photo destination. The stores that GUM has to offer are known worldwide as well as you can find stores for different age ranges. Apart from retail outlets, GUM also offers space for dining, cafes, exhibitions, galleries, leisure activities and cultural events making the mall an ideal place to spend a day with your family. "GUM is not just a store where you can buy almost everything. It is a shopping block where there is a pharmacy, bank branch, and flower shop ... It is a monument of architecture. It is a comfortable lounge area with restaurants and cafes. It is an art gallery and venue for cultural events. It is an integral part of Russian history. It is a symbol of Moscow and it is the closest place to the Kremlin, where you can feel yourself in Europe." - Girgory Revzin |