Crowds are lining up at the Lenin Mausoleum in Red Square, Moscow, with the queue stretching to the Alexander Garden. Many visitors have been waiting since 9 a.m. to enter the mausoleum.

The increased interest comes amid rumors of a possible closure for restoration, although the Federal Protective Service (FSO), responsible for the mausoleum’s operation, has stated that there is no news about the closure.

The Mausoleum is typically open from 10:00 to 13:00 on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays, and Sundays, with Mondays and Fridays as days off. However, the building was closed last Saturday without official explanation, fueling speculation about its future.

Visitors undergo thorough security checks before entering the Mausoleum. Many seek shade under trees while waiting, and some, including pensioners and children, rest on the curbs.

Many visitors are revisiting the Mausoleum, wanting to show it to their children or fulfill long-held desires before any potential closure. Some recall childhood dreams and family stories associated with visiting the site. People from different regions of Russia are among those queuing, some even traveling specifically to see the Mausoleum.

Discussions continue regarding the appropriate course of action: whether to return Lenin to the mausoleum after restoration or to bury his body.