GUM (department store), Moscow

GUM is a Russian abbreviation for the State Department Store. It is a large trade center in the center of Moscow, which occupies whole block of Kitay-Gorod district and faces Red Square. It's a federal monument of architecture built in the 1893 by an architect Pomerancev and an engineer Shuhov. This giant three-floor building consists of 3 long passages with deep basement. Each of passages have glass roof with support of steel arches. In addition there are three big halls. Nowadays GUM is trade center and a museum at the same time. It's one of the largest trade centers in Europe. There are more than thousand of different shops, but you don't have to buy anything here if you don't want, but can just take a walk exploring wide passages and enjoying beautiful interiors. Loads of plants make you think you're inside a garden with small trees and bright flowers. Inside GUM you can sit near fountain, visit shops, cafes, different exhibitions and presentations that are held here on a regular basis.