Visitors are flocking to Lenin’s Mausoleum in Moscow, with long queues forming as the site prepares to close for restoration. The exact date of closure remains unknown, but the impending work has led to increased interest in viewing the preserved body of Vladimir Lenin.

Many visitors cited historical significance and cultural curiosity as their reasons for visiting. Some are Muscovites, and others traveled from across Russia and even from abroad, including Europe and Iran, to see the controversial figure. They want to experience a piece of history before the Mausoleum is temporarily shut down.

People waited in line for up to two hours to pass through metal detectors and security checks. Despite the wait and the cost of being on Red Square, families and individuals expressed a strong desire to view Lenin’s body. Some visitors are motivated by nostalgia, remembering their childhood experiences with Lenin’s image, while others seek to understand Russian culture and history.

The Federal Protective Service has stated that the Mausoleum is operating on its regular schedule, open Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, and weekends from 10:00 to 13:00. The restoration project, prompted by the deteriorating condition of the Mausoleum’s walls, is estimated to cost over 19 million rubles, with a completion target set for 2027.