The mausoleum of Soviet state founder Vladimir Lenin will be closed for two months beginning in mid-February for restoration work, the official Tass news agency said Monday.
The news agency did not say whether the refurbishing mission will involve Lenin's embalmed body itself or the massive crimson granite tomb that displays his remains at Red Square."The Moscow Kremlin commandant's office announces that the Lenin Mausoleum will be closed from Feb. 15 to April 15, 1991, in connection with the carrying out of restoration work," Tass said.
Lenin's mausoleum has been closed in the past from time to time for minor renovation but usually for less than two months.
The mausoleum daily draws hundreds of Soviet and foreign visitors to the capital who watch the hourly changing of the guard outside the tomb and wait in long lines to see Lenin encased in a glass coffin.