Iberian Gate and Chapel Monument
Historic gate and chapel marking Moscow's Red Square entrance
A small historic gate and chapel by Moscow's Red Square that marks an entrance to the square. Visitors note its 18th-19th‑century architecture and proximity to the Kremlin, GUM and major historic routes.
Iberian Gate and Chapel at a Glance#
Address: Resurrection (Iberian) Gate, Red Square, Moscow, Russia
Admission: Free (public monument)
About Iberian Gate and Chapel#
The Iberian Gate and Chapel is the pair of gateway arches and a small chapel that mark the entrance between Red Square and Nikolskaya Street in central Moscow. The structure historically contained a venerated icon and served as a ceremonial and processional entrance to the square.
The reconstructed gate and attached small chapel are visible as a decorated archway linking Red Square with adjacent streets; the chapel houses a copy of the Iveron-style icon and is a frequent photo subject for visitors moving between the square and surrounding historic streets. The gate sits in a dense historical context beside the State Historical Museum, GUM and other central landmarks.
The original gate and the small chapel were part of the Kitay-gorod fortifications and the religious landscape of Moscow; they were demolished in the early Soviet period. The gate and chapel were reconstructed in the late 20th century and reinstated as the pedestrian entrance between Red Square and Nikolskaya Street.
The Iberian Gate and Chapel stand on the northern side of Red Square in central Moscow, directly linking the square with Nikolskaya Street and adjacent historic buildings.
- Destruction and reconstruction: The gate and chapel form the entrance from Red Square to Nikolskaya Street and were demolished in the early Soviet period before being restored and reopened in the 1990s.
What to See#
- Iberian Chapel: The small chapel that sits above the gate houses an icon of the Theotokos in the tradition of the Iveron (Iberian) icon and is the chapel element visible from Red Square.
How to Get to Iberian Gate and Chapel#
Located at the western end of Red Square beside the State Historical Museum; walkable from Kitay-Gorod and the Kremlin. Ploshchad Revolyutsii and Okhotny Ryad metro stations are within a short walk.
Tips for Visiting Iberian Gate and Chapel#
- Approach the gate from Red Square for the classic perspective and photographs - the gate frames the square's eastern edge.
- Visit the little chapel housing the Iveron icon; lighting and crowds vary, so mornings are often quieter.
- Combine with an immediate walk through the nearby State Historical Museum and Manezh Square for contiguous historical context.
Best Time to Visit Iberian Gate and Chapel#
Accessible year-round; best in clear weather for photographs and easier walking.
Weather & Climate near Iberian Gate and Chapel#
Iberian Gate and Chapel's climate is classified as Warm-Summer Continental - Warm-Summer Continental climate with mild summers (peaking in July) and freezing winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from -10°C to 23°C. Moderate rainfall (721 mm/year).
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Poor | -10° - -5° | -13° | 46 mm | overcast | 96% | 3.4 m/s | 0.0 low | 7.6h |
| February | Poor | -10° - -4° | -12° | 36 mm | overcast | 96% | 3.2 m/s | 0.1 low | 9.4h |
| March | Poor | -5° - 2° | -5° | 36 mm | overcast | 93% | 3.1 m/s | 0.4 low | 11.7h |
| April | Good | 2° - 11° | 4° | 45 mm | partly cloudy | 84% | 3.1 m/s | 0.6 moderate | 14.0h |
| May | Very Good | 8° - 18° | 13° | 52 mm | partly cloudy | 79% | 3.2 m/s | 1.1 high | 16.0h |
| June | Very Good | 12° - 22° | 17° | 86 mm | partly cloudy | 79% | 2.7 m/s | 1.3 high | 17.1h |
| July | Very Good | 14° - 23° | 19° | 93 mm | partly cloudy | 80% | 2.6 m/s | 1.3 high | 16.6h |
| August | Good | 12° - 21° | 17° | 79 mm | partly cloudy | 79% | 2.6 m/s | 1.0 moderate | 14.8h |
| September | Acceptable | 7° - 15° | 11° | 69 mm | partly cloudy | 83% | 2.9 m/s | 0.5 moderate | 12.6h |
| October | Poor | 2° - 8° | 2° | 70 mm | overcast | 89% | 3.2 m/s | 0.2 low | 10.3h |
| November | Poor | -4° - 0° | -6° | 57 mm | overcast | 94% | 3.5 m/s | 0.0 low | 8.1h |
| December | Poor | -8° - -3° | -11° | 52 mm | overcast | 96% | 3.7 m/s | 0.0 low | 6.9h |