Red Square is the place where Russia begins. The main attractions of the Moscow Kremlin Temples of Red Square and the Kremlin

The main sights of Russia are the Moscow Kremlin and the monuments located within it. These famous buildings attract thousands of tourists every day. For many centuries the Kremlin has been the center of social, political and religious life of Muscovites and residents of other Russian cities. It still remains the main asset of the country.

The Moscow Kremlin keeps many interesting stories. It is impossible to see all the sights of this ensemble in a day. Surprisingly, not every Russian today knows when this complex was built. Few are also able to answer the question of what does not apply to the sights of the Moscow Kremlin.

Acquaintance with the capital should start from the center. Here are concentrated historical monuments that will not leave anyone indifferent. They give a complete picture of the life of the Russian people, its history and cultural values.

History of the Kremlin

The sights of the Moscow Kremlin have survived different times. Their history began in the 12th century, when a small wooden fortress was built on Borovitsky Hill, at the confluence of the Moscow River and the Neglinka. It was subsequently destroyed by the Tatar-Mongols. But later it was restored using a more durable material - stone. The fortress was called the Moscow Kremlin. So it became the official residence of the Russian princes.

The second half of the 15th century was not the best time for the Kremlin buildings. The buildings were dilapidated, which caused the construction of new chambers and churches, which are partially preserved to this day.

The Assumption Cathedral, the Annunciation Cathedral, the Church of the Deposition of the Robe were built in the city. New churches appeared at the monasteries. In addition, the Grand Duke's Palace and the Palace of Facets were erected. In the 15th century, the famous red brick walls and openwork towers along the entire perimeter appeared near the Kremlin. The construction was completed in the 17th century. During the reign of Peter I, the sights of the Moscow Kremlin lost their significance for the political life of the country. The capital moved to Petersburg. However, the Kremlin continued to build. At the same time, the building of the Arsenal was built, later - the Senate.

With the outbreak of the war of 1812, the Moscow Kremlin and its buildings were partially destroyed. The greatest destruction awaited the historical monument during the Soviet era. Twenty-eight buildings were destroyed, monasteries and churches were blown up. It was then that red stars appeared on the Kremlin towers.

During the Great Patriotic War, the Germans failed to destroy the Kremlin, but it still required serious restoration work. In 1990 it was included in the UNESCO list. Today it is the official residence of the President of the Russian Federation. Partially the entrance to the Kremlin is limited.

Attractions

The Moscow Kremlin and other attractions located near it make up a full-fledged ensemble. The length of its walls is more than two thousand meters, and the height reaches nineteen meters.

The walls of the Kremlin were erected in the form of an irregular triangle. Seventeen towers have a square section, and three are round, which allows them to be located in the corners of the walls. The Spasskaya Tower is the tallest in this ensemble - seventy-one meters. The architectural style of the Moscow Kremlin is unified. Only the Nikolskaya Tower differs, which was rebuilt in the 19th century under the Gothic style. The complete ensemble of Kremlin attractions consists of twenty towers, seven cathedrals, nine administrative buildings and museums, five squares and gardens, and two monuments.

Monuments

Most of the guests of the capital do not know what the sights of the Moscow Kremlin are. All ensembles located within its walls, including Red Square, are considered the main symbols of the Kremlin. The famous monuments of the ensemble include the Tsar Cannon and the Tsar Bell.

The Tsar Cannon was cast in bronze in 1586. Its main purpose is to protect the Kremlin, but in its entire history the famous cannon has not fired a single shot. The weight of this gun is thirty-nine tons.

The Tsar Bell has also never been used for its intended purpose. Its weight is two hundred and two tons. In 1737, it fell during a fire, and a large piece broke off from it. The masters could not restore the bell.

The buildings

Today, the Moscow Kremlin is not only an open museum, but also the residence of the President of Russia. Some buildings are closed to tourists. The exception is the buildings that are located on its territory and are of particular great historical and cultural value. So, tourists can visit the Grand Kremlin Palace only as part of a group tour. You must sign up for it in advance.

The State Kremlin Palace hosts concerts, festivals and other significant events. The sights of the Moscow Kremlin and Red Square are always open to tourist groups, foreign visitors who want to get acquainted with the history of the country.

Cathedrals and churches

Perhaps the most important sights of the Moscow Kremlin are churches and cathedrals. They are a symbol of the spiritual wealth of the Russian people and have great historical value. Most of the cathedrals were built in the 15th century.

The Assumption Cathedral occupies the main place on the Kremlin Square. This is the oldest building in the capital. Russian tsars were crowned within its walls. It was here that the most important decisions for the state were made. The Archangel Cathedral was built in 1508. It contains fifty-four burials. This is the tomb of the sovereigns of Moscow. The Cathedral of the Annunciation, the Church of the Deposition of the Robe of the Most Holy Theotokos and the Church of the Cathedral of the Twelve Apostles in the Patriarchal Chambers also belong to the Kremlin attractions.

Armouries

The Moscow Kremlin, Red Square are the sights of Russia, which should be visited by a foreign tourist. The Armory is the Kremlin treasury. Here you can see items of jewelry art, jewelry that belonged to Russian tsars and rulers of the XII-XX centuries.

Guests of the capital will be able to see the Monomakh's hat decorated with expensive gems, the throne, Gospels, carriages, Russian and European weapons in the Armory. In a word, everything that once belonged to the Moscow tsars. The Diamond Fund, located in a separate room, will surely appeal to visitors. It is here that precious stones in a single, unique copy and valuable jewelry are stored. The Armory also contains items of particular value. These are the scepter of the Empress, crowns, the Orlov diamond, the Shah diamond, the imperial orb, the sign and star of the Order of St. Andrew the First-Called, adorned with diamonds.

Towers and walls

The most frequently visited sights of Moscow by tourists are the Moscow Kremlin and its buildings. This is not surprising, because it is the center of the capital and all of Russia.

The peculiarity of the Kremlin is that it is surrounded by high and strong walls around the perimeter. They were built in the 15th century by architects from Italy. All twenty towers are not similar to each other. The most notable towers are Taynitskaya and Spasskaya. The name of the first comes from the word "secret", as a secret passage passed through it. The second tower is one of the most famous. It faces Red Square, its main entrance is opened only on special occasions. The Spasskaya Tower is well-known to most because of the chimes installed in its facade. The ensemble of towers also includes the Nikolskaya Tower, Sredny Arsenalskaya, Troitskaya, Borovitskaya, Vodovzvodnaya, Kutafya and many others.

Attractions

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The most famous and iconic place in Russia and Moscow, a witness to the fateful events of the past, and now the main arena of grandiose festivities in Moscow - Red Square - is rightfully called the heart of the capital and the face of the country. Her appearance captured the history and power of the entire state. The majestic beauty and invariable solemnity of a truly cult place delights tourists from all over the world, who never get tired of capturing the full power of the monumentality of the square in vivid photos. A walk along Red Square and its immediate surroundings is not just a mandatory, but a paramount route for every guest in Moscow. After all, it is in this public space, which has become sacred over several centuries, that the main attractions and a whole complex of unique monuments that embody national ideas and values ​​of different eras are concentrated. About them - the main objects that make up the most popular walking route of the capital - and will be discussed in our guide.

“The earth, as you know, begins from the Kremlin ...” The history of the main square in Moscow also began from the Moscow Kremlin. At the end of the 15th century, after a devastating fire, the burned-out space between the northeastern Kremlin wall and Torg was not built up, the surviving buildings were demolished, and trade soon began to boil on the newly formed square. Pozhar, Torg, Troitskaya (according to the Church of the Holy Trinity) - this is how the square adjacent to the Kremlin was called for almost two centuries. The modern name was assigned to it at the end of the 17th century. The place was called Red Square not for the red color of the Kremlin walls, but for its exceptional beauty. The most crowded place in Moscow, which became not only the commercial, but also the political center of the city, was gradually built up with magnificent buildings - real masterpieces of architecture. At the same time, the main attraction, located in the immediate vicinity of Red Square, has always been the Kremlin.

The medieval fortress, which served as the residence of Russian rulers from the end of the 15th century, is to this day the main socio-political and spiritual center of the country. The Moscow Kremlin is one of the world's largest architectural ensembles, the appearance of which has evolved over the centuries. “The place of the greatest historical memories” is surprisingly many-sided: high walls and towers amaze with their power and beauty, ancient temples and chambers, palaces and administrative buildings admire with their monumental solemnity. The Kremlin is also a unique museum complex in Moscow, one of the richest treasuries of historical and artistic relics and monuments. Having absorbed the centuries-old culture of the country, the Kremlin has become a national shrine, has become an indisputable symbol of a great state.

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Landmark, Museum, Religion, Monument

The main temple in Moscow is the Cathedral of the Intercession of the Most Holy Theotokos, which is on the moat, erected on Red Square in 1555–1561. The construction of a grandiose religious building marked the triumphal victory over the Kazan Khanate. The amazing beauty of the temple and the intricacy of the architectural solution of its image gave rise to an interesting legend that the architects who participated in the creation of the cathedral were blinded by the order of Ivan the Terrible so that they could not build such a masterpiece.

Throughout its existence, the Intercession Cathedral has repeatedly undergone changes in its appearance. So, in 1588, another (tenth) church in honor of St. Basil the Blessed was added to it, which gave the ancient temple a second, “folk” name.

The Intercession Cathedral was not only a military temple, but also a symbol of the national idea, according to which Moscow was proclaimed the Third Rome - a religious and political center, the main guardian of the Orthodox faith. The cathedral is also an encrypted image of Heavenly Jerusalem: the multi-figured and multi-colored heads of eight churches surrounding the high tent of the ninth temple form an eight-pointed star in plan - a symbol referring to the Star of Bethlehem, which showed the Magi the way to the Savior.

Today, St. Basil's Cathedral is a functioning temple, as well as one of the largest museums in the country and in Moscow in particular, which tells about the history of Orthodox Rus'.

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Sight

In front of St. Basil's Cathedral there is a legendary monument dedicated to Kuzma Minin and Prince Dmitry Pozharsky - the leaders of the second people's militia, whose troops liberated Moscow from the Polish invaders in 1612. The idea of ​​perpetuating the glory of national heroes arose at the beginning of the 19th century. The Russian sculptor Ivan Martos was chosen as the author of the monument. In 1812, work began on the creation of a monument. It took 1100 pounds of copper to cast it.

The massive sculptural composition was planned to be placed in Nizhny Novgorod, the city that was the center of the formation of the militia. After the end of the Patriotic War of 1812, the monument acquired a special social and patriotic meaning: it was intended to become a symbol of the victorious expulsion of the invaders from Moscow. The original decision was changed, the monument was installed in the center of Red Square. Its opening was a solemn event, in which Emperor Alexander himself took part. And already in 1931, the monument, which interfered with parades and demonstrations, was moved to St. Basil's Cathedral.

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The existence of a public tribune on Red Square, called the Execution Ground, is first narrated by annalistic sources from the middle of the 16th century. The emergence of the “proclamation theater” in Moscow is associated with the salvation of the capital from the invasion of the Crimean Tatars in 1521. Until the times of Peter the Great, the Execution Ground remained the main political tribune of the country. From this elevated round platform, royal decrees and sentences were announced, the election of a patriarch was announced, the beginning of a war or the conclusion of peace.

Often, the relics of Orthodox saints were exhibited at the Execution Ground for public worship. But executions, contrary to popular belief, were extremely rare here, in exceptional cases. The Old Russian oratorical pedestal, also known as the Tsar's Place, had a sacred meaning for a long time. Until the revolution, processions of the cross stopped near it, from here the bishop overshadowed the people with the sign of the cross.

The building, which has survived to this day, acquired its appearance in 1786. Then the outdated platform was reconstructed according to the project of Matvey Kazakov. The round platform, made of hewn stone, acquired a stone railing; the entrance was decorated in the form of a door with an iron openwork lattice; stairs are provided for climbing.

Over time, the Execution Ground lost its original role. Nevertheless, people do not stop gathering around him. This outstanding attraction attracts millions of eyes not only as an unusual architectural object, but also as a historical place marked by solemn and tragic events of centuries-old Russian history.

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Landmark, Monument of architecture, Shopping and entertainment center

The main facade of the Red Square is the building of GUM - the main national department store. A large-scale three-story building in the pseudo-Russian style stretches along the eastern border of the square for about a quarter of a kilometer. Erected in 1893, the building was almost always (with the exception of the first years of Soviet power) used for its original purpose. The Upper Trading Rows, the State Department Store, the GUM Trading House - these three names not only captured the fate of the country's largest passage, but also outlined the main stages in the development of the Russian state. Before the revolution, more than 300 salons of well-known trading companies were located here, where almost all groups of industrial and food products were presented. It was here that price tags appeared for the first time, excluding bargaining. In the 20th century, the historical and architectural monument survived nationalization, repeated threats of demolition, which nevertheless turned into two reconstructions (in 1953 and in the early 1980s), and, finally, privatization.

Modern GUM never gets tired of improving its interior space and semantic content. Today it is not only the most beautiful store in Moscow, offering customers the widest range of goods, but also a comfortable recreation area with numerous cafes and restaurants, as well as a venue for various cultural events - art exhibitions, concerts, fashion shows, interesting photo shoots. Every winter, a Christmas market and the city's main skating rink open in front of the GUM building.

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Museum, Landmark

It is impossible to imagine the ensemble of Red Square without the Historical Museum. A huge red-brick building, reminiscent of an elegant old Russian tower, was erected at the northern end of the square (opposite St. Basil's Cathedral) in 1875-1883. The outstanding Russian architects V. Sherwood and A. Semyonov became the authors of the architectural masterpiece. The presence of symbolic elements in the decor of the building is no coincidence: the tops of the main towers are double-headed eagles, and small side tents are crowned with figures of lions and unicorns. After all, it was here that shortly after the completion of construction the Imperial Museum (“Museum named after His Imperial Highness the Sovereign Heir Tsarevich”) was located, designed to become the custodian of the country's historical relics.

During its existence, the institution not only changed its name, becoming the State Historical Museum, but also significantly expanded its funds. Today, the museum collection includes over 5 million items reflecting the politics, economy, and culture of the Russian state from ancient times to the beginning of the 20th century. Among the exhibits are personal belongings of kings and emperors. The large-scale exposition is divided into halls, each of which is dedicated to a certain period in the life of the country.

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Landmark, Religion, Monument of architecture, Historical monument

The way to Red Square from Manezhnaya Square and Revolution Square lies through the Resurrection Gate - a restored fragment of the Kitaigorod Wall. A two-arch structure with gate chambers and two hipped towers crowned with double-headed eagles is located between the Historical Museum and the City Duma building. The ceremonial superstructure of the gate was purchased in 1680. The erection of a two-span passage on this site dates back to 1535.

During its centuries-old history, the fortification has changed more than one name: the gates were called Neglinensky (after the bridge over the Neglinnaya River that once stood nearby), Troitsky (after the nearby Trinity Tower of the Kremlin). The gates were also called Triumphal: through them the solemn entries of Russian rulers to Red Square were carried out. The emergence of the now common name "Resurrection" is explained by the fact that in 1680 the icon of the Resurrection of Christ was attached to the gate. The historical monument is also known as the Iberian Gate. Back in the 17th century, the Chapel of the Iberian Icon of the Mother of God was installed between the passages - one of the most revered in Moscow. The religious building was demolished shortly after the revolution, and in 1931 the Voskresensky (Iversky) gates were also dismantled, which prevented the passage of military equipment during parades. Both the gate and the chapel were restored in 1994.

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Landmark, Religion, Monument

Located in the northern part of Red Square, the one-domed cathedral, decorated with four tiers of keeled kokoshniks, is an example of Russian temple architecture of the first half of the 17th century. Above the northwestern corner of the open gallery surrounding the main volume, a hipped bell tower rises - a characteristic structure of that time. However, the Kazan Cathedral is not a genuine monument of antiquity, but a recreated temple. An architectural copy of the ancient church, dismantled in 1936, appeared on a historical site in the post-Soviet period, in 1990-1993.

Back in 1625, the wooden predecessor of the stone church was consecrated in honor of the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God. The nationwide fame of this shrine is associated with the events of the Time of Troubles. The list from the icon (copy) was accompanied by the second militia, which liberated Moscow from the Polish-Lithuanian invaders. The Kazan Cathedral, erected in 1635 at the expense of the founder of the Romanov dynasty, Tsar Mikhail Fedorovich, became a military temple, a kind of monument to Russian soldiers who fell in the struggle for the independence of their Fatherland. The cult building has been rebuilt more than once for several centuries of its existence. Today we can both observe its original appearance and take an excellent photo of such an iconic landmark.

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Behind the Kazan Cathedral along Nikolskaya Street there is an architectural complex of the late 17th century. This is one of the oldest mints in Moscow. It was called Red or Chinese (according to its location near the Kitaigorod wall). The oldest building of the complex is a two-story brick chamber with a passage arch, erected in 1697. The facade of the building, facing the courtyard, is richly decorated in the Baroque style. The windows of the second floor are framed with white-stone carved platbands, the walls are decorated with side columns, and a colored strip of tiled frieze is stretched along the top of the wall. The basement of the chambers was used to store precious metals, the forge, smelter and other production facilities functioned on the lower floor, the upper floor was occupied by the treasury, assay, pantry.

The Red Mint operated for a century. Gold, silver and copper coins of the national standard were minted here. A reliable security system made it possible to use the yard as a debtor's prison. In the future, the complex was rebuilt, new buildings appeared to accommodate government agencies. The prison continued to operate, where such dangerous criminals as E. Pugachev, A. Radishchev were kept. At the beginning of the 20th century, one of the buildings of the Old Mint was transformed into Nikolsky trading rows, some of the buildings were adapted for trading premises. In Soviet times, administrative offices were located in ancient buildings. Today, the former mint is at the disposal of the State Historical Museum.

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Kremlin, Moscow

Landmark, Monument of architecture

The two-story building, located opposite the Historical Museum, between the Resurrection Gates and the Kazan Cathedral, was built in the 30s of the 18th century as one of the buildings of the Mint. Since Catherine's time, it has been occupied by the Moscow provincial government. Its original baroque decor, created by the architect P.F. Heyden, the building was lost in 1781. Then, during the restoration work carried out by the famous Moscow architect M.F. Kazakov, the building acquired a stucco classicist facade. However, courtyard facades are often no less interesting than front ones. In the inner courtyard, you can observe preserved elements of decorative brickwork, typical of the early Baroque. From 1806 until the beginning of the next century, a town hall tower towered over the House of Provincial Government, serving as a fire tower.

Not so long ago, the historical and architectural monument was restored and today, with its updated facade, it forms the eastern line of the main entrance to Red Square.

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Kremlin, Moscow

Landmark, Monument of architecture

At the end of the 19th century, a representative building was added to the House of Provincial Government, intended for the Moscow City Duma. The scale of the building and its elegant decor, typical of ancient Russian architecture, make it consonant with the neighboring building of the Historical Museum, erected a decade earlier. The author of the project was an outstanding Russian architect, master of eclecticism and pseudo-Russian style D.N. Chichagov. Nowadays, the main facade of the old building determines the appearance of Revolution Square (formerly Resurrection Square), one of the closest to Red Square.

The deputies sat in a luxurious "terem" until 1917. After the revolution, instead of the coat of arms of Moscow, a medallion with the image of a worker and a peasant appeared above the main entrance, and the departments of the Moscow Council occupied the building itself. In 1936, after the reconstruction of the interior, which destroyed the original decoration, the Central Museum of V.I. Lenin is the largest exhibition center entirely dedicated to the life and work of the leader of the socialist revolution. Today it is a branch of the Historical Museum, which is an excellent exposition space for various exhibitions.

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Kremlin, Moscow

Museum

One of the youngest and most interesting museums in the capital - the Museum of the Patriotic War of 1812 - opened its doors in 2012. The unique collections are housed in a new two-story pavilion that occupies the space of the courtyard between the building of the former Moscow City Duma and the chambers of the Red Mint. The well-known Moscow architect P.Yu. Andreev. The employees of the Historical Museum did a great job of selecting exhibits and preparing them for display.

On the first floor of the exhibition complex there is an exposition reflecting the background of the legendary events - a ten-year period of relations between Russia and France on the eve of the war, as well as a memorial section, which includes a series of paintings “1812. Napoleon in Russia” V.V. Vereshchagin and a collection of commemorative medals and rarities. In the exhibition halls on the second floor, the image of the Patriotic War of 1812 itself is revealed, and the foreign campaigns that followed it, thanks to which Europe was freed from the rule of Napoleon, are also covered. The modern exhibition space is equipped with a multimedia information system, which makes visiting the museum even more exciting.

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Landmark, Historical Landmark

In front of the Senate Tower of the Kremlin there is a unique historical and architectural object of the 20th century - the Lenin Mausoleum, which has become the center of the western part of Red Square. The existing stone building of the mausoleum, erected in 1929–1930, is the third in a row. The two tombs that preceded it were created as temporary and were made of wood. The first mausoleum was built just 6 days after Lenin's death - on January 27, 1924: this made it possible to extend the farewell ceremony for the leader of the world proletariat after the official funeral. Six months later, a very modest building was replaced by a more significant stepped structure with columns and stands. Both projects were completed by the architect A.V. Shchusev. Subsequently, the idea to preserve the body of Lenin acquired an important socio-political significance, in addition, embalming was recognized as a success. The same Shchusev designed a version of the building, designed to become the burial place of the leader for many years.

The monument that has survived to this day is a reinforced concrete structure with brick walls, lined with granite, finished with marble and labradorite. The inscription "Lenin" above the entrance is inlaid with porphyry. Often, the plastic solution of the mausoleum, which has a stepped composition, is associated with the Babylonian ziggurats. However, the building on Red Square is a unique and even innovative form in the spirit of the achievements of the avant-garde. Although, of course, the ritual and memorial nature of the monument and Lenin's sarcophagus itself send us back to the distant past, to the ancient tradition of worshiping relics.

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Sight

One of the country's most famous memorial cemeteries, the Necropolis near the Kremlin wall, is also located on Red Square. The history of the legendary churchyard began in 1917, when 240 revolutionary fighters who fell in the October armed uprising in Moscow were buried in mass graves dug from the Nikolsky to the Spassky Gates. In the future, not only mass graves appeared near the Kremlin wall (over 300 people were buried in them in total), but also individual burials. The first to be buried in a separate grave on Red Square was Y. Sverdlov (in 1919), the last - K. Chernenko (in 1985).

For several decades, the Honorary Necropolis was replenished with 12 graves of prominent state and military figures of the Soviet Union (I. Stalin, K. Voroshilov, S. Budyonny, L. Brezhnev and others), as well as 115 burials in the form of urns with the ashes of prominent personalities. Monuments are erected over the graves - busts of famous Bolsheviks, behind each of which a blue spruce is planted. On the Kremlin wall, which is a columbarium, memorial plaques are visible, on which the names and years of life of the “heroes of their time” are engraved in gold letters.

The list of those buried near the Moscow Kremlin is not limited to Soviet politicians and military leaders, but also includes foreign communists, scientists, pilots and cosmonauts. A. Lunacharsky, V. Chkalov, M. Gorky, S. Korolev, Yu. Gagarin, G. Zhukov, M. Keldysh and others were buried in the necropolis.

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Kremlin, Moscow

Landmark, Monument, Historical Landmark

Of the twenty towers of the Kremlin, four overlook Red Square - Corner Arsenalnaya, Nikolskaya, Senatskaya and Spasskaya. The last - a tall and beautiful clock tower is familiar to everyone: the festive chiming of its chimes has long been an attribute of the New Year in Russia.

The architectural structure, built in 1491, rises above the main gates of the Moscow Kremlin, which have long been revered as saints. Through these gates, great princes and tsars entered the ancient fortress, and starting from the 18th century, Russian emperors; ambassadors of foreign states arrived through them; processions passed through them.

Initially, the tower was called Frolovskaya, in honor of the nearest church of Frol and Laurus, which does not exist now. The second name was given in 1658 in the image of the Savior of Smolensk, placed above the Frolovsky Gates after the liberation of Smolensk by Russian troops in 1514. The icon, hidden under a layer of plaster for more than 70 years, was restored in 2010.

In order to observe the time of worship, the first clock was installed on the tower in the 16th century. The chimes acquired their present appearance in the middle of the 19th century. The mechanism at different times was "trained" in different melodies. Today, the main clock of the country can play the melody of the anthem of the Russian Federation and the choir "Glory" from the opera "Ivan Susanin" by M.I. Glinka.

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Landmark, Museum, Religion, Monument, Historical monument

Back in the first half of the 14th century, the first white-stone churches were erected on the top of the Borovitsky (Kremlin) hill, which determined the spatial organization of the future Cathedral Square. The ancient buildings have not been preserved, but new cathedrals have grown on the site of their predecessors. The construction of majestic religious buildings was carried out at the end of the 15th - beginning of the 16th century - at a time when the unification of Russian lands around Moscow, which had become the capital of a single Russian state, was being completed.

Cathedral Square, which is the historical and architectural center of the Moscow Kremlin, has preserved a unique architectural ensemble five centuries later, including the famous monuments of Russian temple architecture - the Assumption, Archangel, Annunciation Cathedrals, the Church of the Deposition of the Robe, the Ivan the Great Bell Tower, the Cathedral of the Twelve Apostles. In addition to the architectural value, the temples have an important historical and memorial significance. The Assumption Cathedral is famous for the fact that all the coronations of Russian monarchs took place in it, starting with Ivan III and ending with Nicholas II. And the Necropolis of the Archangel Cathedral became the burial place of Russian rulers (great and appanage princes, tsars). At present, the Kremlin cathedrals are not only functioning Orthodox churches, but also museums exhibiting masterpieces of ancient Russian art.

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Museum, Landmark, Historical Landmark

The history of museum work on the territory of the Moscow Kremlin began in 1806, when, by decree of Emperor Alexander I, the Armory Chamber received the status of a museum. The initial collection was the treasury kept in the Kremlin, the first information about which dates back to the 15th century. After the revolution, in addition to the Armory, the Kremlin's cathedrals and the Patriarch's Chambers became museum institutions. Today, permanent exhibitions are located within the walls of historical buildings, temporary thematic exhibitions are held.

Many collections of the Moscow Kremlin museums are truly unique. This is a collection of state regalia, a collection of amazing diplomatic gifts, a collection of coronation costumes, the rarest old carriages of Russian rulers, a rich collection of weapons and armor. The museum collection includes about three thousand icons covering the period from the end of the 11th to the beginning of the 20th century. Of particular interest is the archaeological collection, which is formed by artifacts found on the territory of the Kremlin.

The ensemble of the Ivan the Great Bell Tower that has survived to this day, which has been taking shape over more than three centuries, includes three volumes of different times. These are the pillar of the bell tower of Ivan the Great, which increased its height to 81 m in 1600, the Assumption Belfry of the middle of the 16th - the second half of the 17th century, as well as the Philaret extension crowned with a tent - the belfry of the first half of the 17th century. Until the beginning of the 18th century, the Bell Tower was the tallest building in Russia. In 1812, during the retreat from Moscow, the French troops blew up the temple: the pillar of the bell tower survived, but the northern annexes were destroyed to the ground. Shortly after the end of the war, the monument was restored.

Today, there are 22 ancient bells on the three tiers of the ringing of the Ivan the Great Bell Tower and on the outbuildings adjacent to it. Since 2008, a museum has been operating in the historic building, introducing visitors to its unique interior space. From the observation deck of the monument comes a panoramic view and amazing views of the Kremlin and Zamoskvorechye.

The Tsar Cannon, which, by its design, is undoubtedly a weapon, has never taken part in hostilities. No one managed to hear the ringing of the Tsar Bell, from which a huge piece weighing 11 tons broke off during a fire and which, moreover, had lain in a pit for a whole century, appearing before the public only in 1836. However, the question of the functionality of one of the Kremlin giants in the 20th century received an unexpected answer: the researchers found that the Tsar Cannon fired at least once. Be that as it may, the very appearance of the monuments - their impressive size and skillful decoration amaze the imagination and cause genuine delight.

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Museum, Landmark, Monument of architecture, Historical monument

The Grand Kremlin Palace is rightfully called the Museum of the Russian Palace Interior. However, the luxurious palace complex of the Moscow Kremlin has never been a museum institution. The large-scale building, erected in 1838-1849, originally served as the Moscow residence of Russian monarchs and their families. A group of outstanding Russian architects, led by the famous St. Petersburg architect, master of the "Russian-Byzantine" style, Konstantin Ton, worked on the creation of an architectural masterpiece.

In Soviet times, sessions of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR were held in the halls of the former imperial palace. Today it is the main residence of the President of Russia. Ceremonies of inauguration of the head of state, negotiations with leaders of other countries, ceremonies for presenting state awards and other official nationwide events are held here. However, it is still possible to see the magnificent decoration of the palace: in free time from events, excursion services are provided here at the preliminary request of organizations.

The main attraction of the embankment is the Moscow Kremlin, namely its southern wall. At its very beginning there is a round Vodovzvodnaya tower, then the Annunciation tower, followed by the Taynitskaya, two Nameless and Petrovskaya towers. The embankment is closed by the corner Beklemishevskaya Tower and the Bolshoi Moskvoretsky Bridge. Behind the wall and towers, you can see not only the Grand Kremlin Palace, but the Archangel and Annunciation Cathedrals and, of course, the 81-meter Bell Tower of Ivan the Great. From the Kremlin embankment there is an amazing view of Vasilyevsky Spusk and, partially, of Red Square.

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Park, Tourist attraction, Monument of architecture, Historical monument

From Red Square to the Kremlin Embankment, a park stretches along the western wall of the Moscow Kremlin, whose history spans almost two centuries. The arrangement of the garden, designed by the famous architect Osip Bove, falls on the years 1820-1823. Then restoration work was actively carried out in Moscow after the fire of 1812. The park, which grew up above the Neglinka River enclosed in a pipe, included three gardens (Upper, Middle and Lower), called the Kremlin. The current common name was received in 1856 in honor of Alexander I, the winner of Napoleon and the liberator of Europe.

The ancient garden, which has been transformed in recent years, still retains its former charm and original layout. There are still distinct boundaries between its three parts. The main entrance to the garden is still the magnificent cast-iron gate with double-headed eagles, designed by E. Pascal. Among the famous sights of the Alexander Garden are the "Italian Grotto" at the foot of the Middle Arsenal Tower, symbolizing the revival of Moscow from the ashes, the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, a composition with fountains and sculptures imitating the bed of the Neglinka River. Along the picturesque alleys of the park, which become an excellent backdrop for tourist photos, various types of shrubs and trees grow, among which is a bicentennial oak.

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In the very heart of Moscow, on Borovitsky Hill, the majestic ensemble of the Moscow Kremlin and Red Square rises. They have long become not only symbols of the capital, but of the whole of Russia, serving as the scene of many important events in Russian history and the history of the Soviet state, as well as a place for holidays and parades of the Russian Armed Forces.

The Moscow Kremlin is both the place of work of the President of the Russian Federation and a unique historical and cultural museum of Russia, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Red Square was formed at the end of the 15th century on a hilltop, when the decrepit white stone walls of the Kremlin under Ivan III were replaced with brick ones, and a decree was issued prohibiting any construction within a cannon shot from the walls. This territory of the former settlement was freed from houses and wooden churches, it was allowed to trade there. The area became known as Torg, or Great Torg. On its southern side was the confluence of two rivers - Moscow and Neglinka. On the banks of the Moskva River there were piers, from where goods were delivered to the Market. A deep Alevizov ditch was dug along the Kremlin wall, connecting the Moscow River and the Neglinnaya (1508−16). The Kremlin, following the example of many large fortresses, was surrounded on all sides by water.

Bridges were built across the moat to the gates of the Kremlin, and the moat was fenced with stone battlements. After a big fire in 1571, the square was called Fire for some time, and it was forbidden to build wooden shops. At the end of the 16th century, the first stone trading rows were built. Around the same time, the square was called Krasnaya, that is, beautiful (it is possible that the name comes from the “red”, that is, haberdashery, goods that were traded here). From the north, the square was closed by the Resurrection (Iberian) gates of Kitay-Gorod. From the south, it was limited by a low hill - “vzlobe”, on which the Execution Ground appeared in the 1530s, and in the middle of the 16th century - St. Basil's Cathedral. Stone two-storey shops, built by 1598, marked the eastern border of the square. They formed three quarters: the Upper, Middle and Lower trading rows. These rows, transformed by a system of arcades into a single architectural organism, essentially fixed the outlines of modern Red Square.

The historical center of the Kremlin is represented by Cathedral Square with three cathedrals - Assumption, Arkhangelsk and Annunciation. An old proverb says: "The Kremlin rises above Moscow, and above the Kremlin - only the sky." That is why all the people honored the decrees of the king, which he proclaimed in the Assumption Cathedral. You can get inside through the main entrance, which is called the Spassky Gate. They are located on the eastern side of the building, just opposite St. Basil's Cathedral and facing Red Square.

The Spasskaya Tower itself was built in the 15th century, and later, at the beginning of the 17th century, namely in 1625, its tent completion was completed and the world-famous clock was installed. Modern clocks have been operating on the tower not since its foundation, but since 1851.

The Tsar Cannon is another attraction of the Moscow Kremlin. This powerful gun, located on Ivanovskaya Square, is a monument to Russian artillery. The largest caliber in the world, it has become a monument of foundry.

The powerful gun is on a decorative cast-iron carriage, and nearby are hollow decorative cast-iron cannonballs weighing 1.97 tons, cast in 1835 (the gun cannot fire such cannonballs). A bronze gun was cast, a cast-iron gun carriage. At the vent on the right side, Fyodor Ivanovich is depicted riding a horse in a crown and with a scepter in his hand.

Talking about the sights of the Moscow Kremlin, one cannot fail to mention the Ivan the Great Bell Tower. Today it is hard to even imagine that it was once considered the tallest building in all of Rus'. This building was built by order of Tsar Boris Godunov in 1600, and later, already in 1813, it was reconstructed. The building is able to impress even the most seasoned tourist - a five-tiered, 81-meter building topped with a gilded dome and a cross.

Now 24 domes have been installed here, the complex has two churches with belfries adjacent to them. And finally, only on the territory of the Moscow Kremlin you have the opportunity to see the Tsar Bell, which is rightfully considered the largest bell in the world, and its weight is about 200 tons.

In the south-west of the Kremlin are the Borovitsky Gates, famous for the fact that it was through them that Napoleon managed to break into the city in 1812. From the Alexander Garden (western side of the building) you can get to the Kremlin through the Trinity Gate. Here, in the tower of the same name, the valuable archives of the emperor were once located. The Nikolsky Gates, which lead to the northern end of Red Square, are used to enter the state institutions of the city.

Red Square appeared at the eastern wall of the Kremlin in ancient times. In the 16th century it was called Troitskaya from the name of the church of St. Trinity, which stood on the site of St. Basil's Cathedral. In the Middle Ages, fires often blazed here, so the square had another name - "Fire". From the middle of the 17th century, they began to call her “Red”, which in the Old Russian language meant “beautiful”.

There are many interesting cultural monuments and sights on Red Square. The most famous of them are the Mausoleum of V.I. Lenin, Lobnoye Mesto, St. Basil's Cathedral, as well as the Upper and Middle Trading Rows, Kazan Cathedral. It should be noted that the area is not a driveway. This is a pedestrian area paved with paving stones.

St. Basil's Cathedral, which stands on Red Square, is considered one of the main architectural monuments of ancient Rus'. And for good reason. It is included in the list of the most important sights of Moscow. In addition to the historical significance of this building, there is a more mundane reason the temple is unusually beautiful. These two factors are a wonderful tandem, thanks to which the flow of tourists to St. Basil's Cathedral never dries up.

The architectural monuments of the Moscow Kremlin and Red Square are unsurpassed examples of the national architectural school, which have no analogues in the world, and the construction of which was the beginning of the development of new trends in Russian architecture. The Moscow Kremlin, being not only the political, but also the spiritual and cultural center of the country, witnessed the most important events in Russian history. The appearance of the unique architectural monuments that make up the ensemble of the Kremlin and Red Square is reflected in the best works of national literature, music and fine arts.

The Moscow Kremlin is the main attraction and visiting card not only of Moscow, but of Russia as a whole. It was the Kremlin that for many centuries was the center of the socio-political, spiritual and religious life of the whole country, which it remains to this day. It is with the sights of the Moscow Kremlin that I would like to start a series of fascinating posts about the capital of our Motherland - Moscow.

Today I will talk about what you can see in the Kremlin, about its cathedrals and towers, palaces and monuments, as well as some interesting information from the history of the Moscow Kremlin.

Where the Neglinka River flows into the Moskva River, on the high Borovitsky Hill back in the 12th century. a wooden Russian fortress was built. It was almost completely destroyed during the Tatar-Mongol invasion in 1238 and later restored in stone. Since 1264, the Moscow Kremlin has become the official residence of the local specific princes.

The Moscow Kremlin during the reign of Ivan Kalita (A.M. Vasnetsov)

By the second half of the XV century. the Kremlin buildings were very dilapidated and under the leadership of Ivan III, work began on the construction of new churches and chambers, partially preserved to this day.

The Assumption Cathedral was built first in the likeness of a cathedral in the city of Vladimir, a new Church of the Deposition of the Robe and the Annunciation Cathedral were erected, new churches of Miracles and the Ascension Monastery were replenished. According to the project of Italian architects, a new Grand Duke's Palace was erected with the Faceted Chamber that has survived to this day. Then, in the 15th century, the Moscow Kremlin "acquired" red brick walls with openwork towers around the perimeter. Construction was finally completed only in the 17th century.

With the coming to power of Peter I, the Moscow Kremlin gradually loses its political significance. Russian emperors move to Petersburg. Under Peter I, the Arsenal building appeared in the Kremlin, and a little later, under Catherine II, the Senate building was built.

In early September 1812, Napoleon's troops invaded the Kremlin, and the next day the French emperor himself entered the residence. But a major fire forced him to flee. Retreating, Napoleon's army partially blew up the Kremlin buildings.

However, the power of the Soviets inflicted the greatest damage to the historical ensemble. The Soviet government, which moved into the Kremlin, destroyed 28 out of 54 historical buildings. Unique churches and monasteries were blown up, the main Kremlin towers got red stars.

During the war, the Kremlin was carefully disguised. German troops failed to inflict significant damage on the heart of Russia. And after the war and restoration work, it turned into the most visited open-air museum in Russia.

Since 1990, the Moscow Kremlin with all its historical buildings has been included in the UNESCO World Heritage List, and since 1991 it has been the official residence of the Russian President.

Sights of the Moscow Kremlin

How to download google map and use it offline,

Walls and towers of the Moscow Kremlin

The Kremlin in its architecture resembles an irregular triangle stretched along the banks of the Moskva River. Along the perimeter, it is surrounded by impressive walls from 5 to 19 m in height and up to 6.5 m in width. The Kremlin walls were built in the 15th - early 16th centuries. by Italian architects, and have dovetail-shaped completions that are classic for castles in northern Italy. There are 20 different towers along the perimeter. 3 corner towers are round, the rest have a square at the base. The main ensemble of towers was formed in the 17th century; only the Nikolskaya Tower, rebuilt in the 19th century, is different. in a pseudo-gothic style.

I will not talk about all the towers, I will focus only on the most interesting ones:

• Taynitskaya tower was built first. Previously, a secret passage to the Moskva River was laid through the gates of the tower, hence its name;
• Spasskaya Tower, perhaps the most famous tower of the Moscow Kremlin, the main entrance, which opens only on special occasions. With its facade, the tower overlooks Red Square. The Spasskaya Tower is recognized by the clock-chimes installed on it, to the sound of which all of Russia celebrates the New Year. Modern chimes appeared here in the middle of the 19th century.

Interesting fact! Many Russians believe that the new year begins with the last blow of the chimes, but this is not entirely true. The countdown of the new hour, day and year begins with a 20-second chime. until the first strike of the hour. We hear the last 12th blow when the first minute of the New Year has passed.

Spasskaya and Nikolskaya - the most famous of the Kremlin towers

• Nikolskaya tower, as well as Spasskaya overlooks Red Square and is very different from the entire architectural ensemble, because it was rebuilt in a pseudo-Gothic style in the 19th century. In 1612, the militia of Minin and Pozharsky solemnly entered the Kremlin through the Nikolskaya Tower.
• Middle Arsenal Tower in the Alexander Garden is known for the fact that at its base, in memory of the destruction of Moscow by Napoleon's troops, the ruins grotto was installed. Stones from destroyed buildings were used to build the grotto.

Kutafya Tower is the only surviving bridge tower of the Kremlin

• Kutafya tower- the only bridge tower of the Moscow Kremlin that has survived to this day. It is connected by a bridge with the Trinity Tower.
• Trinity Tower- is considered the highest tower of the Moscow Kremlin. Its height is 80 m. Currently, the Trinity Tower is considered the main entrance to the Kremlin for most tourists.
• Borovitskaya tower. Entrance for tourists is possible only through the gates of the Borovitskaya Tower, installed on the high Borovitsky Hill in the depths of the Alexander Garden.
• Vodovzvodnaya tower- one of the three corner round towers. Known for numerous posters and postcards with a panorama of the Kremlin, made from the Bolshoy Kamenny Bridge.

In addition to those mentioned above, there are other towers in the Kremlin. See their names and location on the map of the Moscow Kremlin.

Churches and cathedrals of the Moscow Kremlin

Cathedrals are the main decoration, historical wealth and the central part of the Moscow Kremlin. They were erected by decree of Ivan III in the 15th century.

The central place of the Cathedral Square of the Kremlin is allotted Assumption Cathedral- the oldest of the now surviving buildings in Moscow. Its construction was completed in 1479 and until the October Revolution it was the main cathedral of the Russian state. Here Russian tsars were crowned, metropolitans and patriarchs of the Russian Orthodox Church were elected, prayers of thanksgiving were served here before military campaigns and in honor of victories won; announced the most important sovereign decisions. Here, on the territory of the Assumption Cathedral, until the time of Peter I, Russian metropolitans and patriarchs were buried.

Assumption Cathedral

Cathedral of the Archangel Moscow Kremlin was built in 1508. At the same time, the ruling prince Vasily III ordered the burial of the Great Russian princes to be transferred to the new cathedral. So the Archangel Cathedral became the tomb of the Moscow sovereigns from the Rurik and Romanov clans, starting with Ivan Kalita and ending with Peter II. In total, 54 burials have been preserved in the cathedral.

On the lower tier in the crypt of the cathedral rest the remains of women of the Rurik and Romanov clans, transferred here in 1928 from the blown up Ascension Monastery.

Cathedral of the Archangel

Cathedral of the Annunciation in the Moscow Kremlin erected in 1489. Until the 18th century, it served as the home church of the princes and tsars of Moscow. The outstanding masters of icon painting Andrey Rublev and Feofan Grek were invited to paint the family cathedral. Unfortunately, their frescoes were irretrievably lost during the fire of 1547.

It is also interesting that the porch in the Annunciation Cathedral depicts ancient sages and philosophers: Aristotle, Plutarch, Homer, etc.

The basement now houses the exhibition "Archaeology of the Moscow Kremlin" with the most valuable exhibits found on the territory.

For centuries, a small Church of the Deposition of the Robe of the Most Holy Theotokos, built in 1485 by Pskov architects. Twice in its history the church was badly damaged. Now the church houses an exhibition of Russian wooden sculpture of the 15th - early 20th centuries.

Church of the Cathedral of the 12 Apostles in the Patriarchal Chambers- This is one of the latest religious buildings on the territory of the Kremlin. The church was consecrated by Patriarch Joachim in 1681 and since then has served as a home patriarchal church. The church is part of the patriarchal palace, in which since the 17th century. housed the private quarters of the primate of the Russian Orthodox Church, a refectory, patriarchal orders and household services. Now in the Patriarch's Chambers an exhibition of applied art and life of Russia of the 17th century is organized. In the exposition you can see the authentic things of the Russian patriarchs, handwritten and early printed books, ancient icons and numerous church paraphernalia.

Ivan the Great belltower

The Ivan the Great bell tower, built in 1508 at the church of St. John of the Ladder. Until the beginning of the XVIII century. this bell tower was considered the tallest building in Russia. Here, the world's largest functioning Assumption bell has survived to this day, with a total weight of 65 tons.

Belfry "Ivan the Great"

Armory and Diamond Fund

A separate topic for conversation deserves the main treasury of the Moscow Kremlin -. Here are collected precious jewelry of Russian sovereigns and church primates from the time of the 12th to the beginning of the 20th century. Monomakh's cap decorated with gems, a double throne for the young princes Ivan V and Peter I, Gospels in gold settings with inserts of precious stones, an exhibition of Russian and European weapons and horse equipment, royal carriages, as well as items of ornamental sewing and ceremonial ceremonial - everything that can be seen by visitors to the Armory.

The building of the Armory

A separate room of the Armory is assigned to the jurisdiction. Here you can see unique nuggets of precious stones, as well as especially valuable jewelry with their inserts.

Of greatest interest in the Diamond Fund are:

• large and small imperial crowns;
• the scepter of Empress Catherine II with the largest diamond of the Orlov fund, weighing 189.62 carats;
• the giant Shah diamond, weighing 88.7 carats, presented by the Shah of Persia to Emperor Nicholas I;
• imperial orb adorned with diamonds and blue sapphire;
• diamond badge and star of the Order of St. Andrew the First-Called.

The Orlov diamond is a treasure of the Diamond Fund

Other buildings

Since the Moscow Kremlin is currently not only a museum, but also the official residence of the President of the Russian Federation, access to the inside of some buildings for tourists is strictly limited. The exception is:

• , where you can get as part of a group tour by appointment;
• State Kremlin Palace, where various theater festivals, concerts and significant holidays are held, including the main New Year tree of the country.

The Grand Kremlin Palace is the residence of the President of Russia

Monuments of the Moscow Kremlin

You should not ignore the famous monuments of the Kremlin - the Tsar Cannon and the Tsar Bell.

It was cast in 1586 by order of Tsar Fyodor Ioannovich. It was originally planned to use a huge cannon to protect the Kremlin, but it has never fired in its history. The gun is made of bronze and weighs 39 tons.

Tsar Cannon in the walls of the Moscow Kremlin

As well as the Tsar Cannon, it was never used for its intended purpose. It was cast by order of Anna Ioannovna in 1735. Its weight is 202 tons. During a fire in 1737, the bell fell and an impressive piece weighing 11 tons fell off it. Attempts to restore it have not been successful.

You can see in the Kremlin and an exhibition of cannons repulsed in battles with enemies. They were installed near the Arsenal building.

That's all for today! Our short story about the sights of the Kremlin has come to an end. I'm sure it will definitely come in handy when planning an independent trip to the Moscow Kremlin. Don't forget to bookmark this article. It will also be useful in advance to read about. Have a good trip and only the maximum of pleasant impressions from visiting the Moscow Kremlin!

Photos by: Elkan Wijnberg, C.caramba2010

The Moscow Kremlin is a complex of unique architectural structures, evidence of past eras, and a state historical and cultural museum-reserve.

Assumption and Annunciation Cathedrals continue to receive parishioners, at the same time being part of the museum exposition. As for the Diamond Fund and the Armory, these are world treasuries that introduce visitors to works of art from various fields.

The Tsar Bell and the Tsar Cannon, which have a rich and interesting history, became separate exhibits. The palaces and chambers have been restored and partially transferred to the residences of the first persons and administrative buildings. For a detailed acquaintance with the Moscow Kremlin, you need to spend more than one day here.

What to see and do in the Moscow Kremlin? The most interesting excursions!

List of the best tourist sites - museums and exhibitions, cathedrals and temples, towers and walls. Photos with names and descriptions of the main attractions.

Moscow Kremlin towers

There are 20 of them in total, three of them are rounded and stand at the corners, the Kutafya Tower is of an indefinite shape, due to the complexity of its design, and the rest are rectangular. Almost all look the same in style. Only Nikolskaya, rebuilt in the 19th century, stands out from the composition. Chimes were installed on the Spasskaya Tower in the 15th century. They are one of the oldest in the world. The ringing of these clocks accompanies the onset of the New Year in the country.

Armouries

Treasury of Russian tsars, which later became a museum. The collection began to form in the XIV century. The museum opened at the beginning of the 19th century. At first, only noble people had access to it. The current exposition consists of gold and silver items, armor, weapons, carriages, icons, religious and royal attributes, works of both domestic and foreign masters are presented.

Diamond fund

The exhibition, which began its work in 1967 on the basis of the Armory. The collection has been collected since the reign of Peter I, but after the revolution it lost some of its treasures. The exposition includes outstanding examples of jewelry art, starting from the 18th century, and unique precious stones. Among them, the Orlov diamond is 189 carats, and the Shah diamond is almost 89 carats. There is also a collection of orders and regalia for coronations.

Assumption Cathedral

It was consecrated in 1479 and is the oldest surviving Moscow building. It was the place of the coronations of Russian tsars, and religious ceremonies of particular importance for the country were held here. The iconostasis of the 17th century, interior paintings of the same period have been preserved. The main relics of the cathedral are the relics of the saints, the staff of Metropolitan Peter. Included in the museum exhibition, services are held with the blessing of the patriarch.

Blagoveshchensky cathedral

The nine-domed temple was erected in 1489 on the site of a wooden predecessor. Many icons are valuable, for example, those painted by Rublev. The interior paintings also belong to the brushes of famous artists of the 16th century, including Fyodor Edikeev. In the basement there is an exposition - "Treasures of the Moscow Kremlin", containing jewelry, weapons, and other rarities found during excavations.

Ivan the Great belltower

Built in the early years of the 16th century. In the past, royal decrees and especially important orders were read near it. Restoration was carried out for the 500th anniversary. During the tour, you can climb 137 steps to a height of 25 meters. The total number of bells is 34. Each has a name: Uspensky, Howler, Swan, Deaf, etc. All of them were cast in different periods, from the time the bell tower was founded to the 19th century.

Faceted Chamber

It is one of the oldest civil buildings in the city. Erected by order of Ivan III. The interior decoration has changed several times. So the original frescoes under Peter I were replaced with velvet with embroidered double-headed eagles. In 1684, the chamber was rebuilt, and 150 years later it was connected to the Vladimir Hall. Since 2012 it has been partly open for tours. Prior to this, restoration was carried out, combined with excavations.

Patriarchal Chambers and the Church of the Twelve Apostles

The composition appears before visitors as a complex of buildings of two and three floors, combined with a five-domed cathedral. In modern times, the premises have been given over to the museum of everyday life and applied art of the 17th century. The interior decoration is partially preserved. Expositions: Cross Chamber - dishes, utensils, watches, etc.; Refectory - sewing; Command chambers - interiors, furniture, personal belongings, etc.; church icons.

Cathedral of the Archangel

After the foundation of the first temple made of wood on this site in the middle of the 13th century, it was rebuilt and modified several times. The current look was formed two centuries later. The iconostasis has a height of 13 m and carved decor. The tsars of the Romanov dynasty and specific princes are buried in the necropolis of the cathedral. Wall paintings contain not only religious symbols, but also portraits of princes, including Ivan Kalita and Dmitry Donskoy.

Church of the Deposition of the Robe

Construction took place in the 80s of the XV century. During its history, it has survived looting, fire, re-consecration. Now divine services are held only on patronal feasts. The rest of the time the church is a museum. Among the exhibits: wooden carved sculpture, icons, faces of saints, crosses, etc. The main relic is the iconostasis, made by Nazariy Istomin in the first half of the 17th century.

The Tsar Bell

A work of art of the 18th century, if we talk about casting skills. Cast in a specially prepared pit, not far from the place where it is now. It has never been installed on a church or called. In the process of working on the bell, various hardships occurred, including a fire and the death of the main caster. The famous crack appeared due to the ingress of water on hot metal.

Tsar Cannon

Her consciousness was at the end of the 16th century. It weighs a little less than 40 tons, and the length is almost 5.5 m. It was cast in the armory workshops of the Kremlin. It was never used for its intended purpose, only once the cannon was put on alert when the troops of the Crimean Khan approached the city, but they never had to shoot. The nuclei next to it are fake, hollow inside and are needed to complement the exposure.

"Archaeological Windows" on Ivanovskaya Square

Tourist and, in a sense, museum objects at the site of archaeological excavations. Found small rarities, like beads or dishes will be exhibited in an underground museum, which is still in the process of being created. In the "windows" made of durable glass, you can see a slice of the era, for example, fragments of the Small Nicholas Palace, or what is left of the Chudov Monastery.

Grand Kremlin Palace

The construction, begun in 1838, was headed by the famous Russian architect Konstantin Ton. It was built as a residence for the royal family. Now it is the main residence of the President of the country. It has five separate halls, the original appearance of which was restored in the 90s of the last century. Inspection is possible by appointment and as part of an excursion group.

Kremlin Palace of Congresses

Built under Khrushchev and used to hold congresses of the Communist Party. Style - Soviet modernism, but gradually made adjustments to it. The facade is finished with white marble and golden aluminum. Currently, significant events and concerts are held here. In 2013, a major renovation was carried out, accompanied by technical modernization of the site. The Kremlin Ballet is also based here.

Moscow Kremlin Arsenal

It was founded by Peter I and is an architectural monument. Initially, it was conceived as a warehouse for weapons and war trophies. During the retreat of Napoleon, it was blown up and restored in the following years in its original form. Before that, it was repaired after a fire, and then after the revolution. Now the premises of the Arsenal are reserved for the barracks of the Kremlin regiment and for the commandant's office.

Artillery guns

By order of Peter I, captured guns were brought to the Arsenal building. The tradition was strengthened and in 1819 hundreds of cannons captured from the Napoleonic troops were lined up near the facade. In 1960, those old cannons that stood at the Armory were added to them. To the right of the Tsar Cannon on Ivanovskaya Square in 2012, an exposition of Russian artillery pieces of the 17th-18th centuries from the collection of the Moscow Kremlin Museums was opened.

Senate Palace

Construction was carried out in the year of the reign of Catherine the Great. As the name implies, it was supposed to be the seat of the Senate. The building is crowned with a dome, and in the architectural style of classicism, features of antiquity can be traced. An important object after Lenin's death was his office. In the 90s of the last century, it was moved to Gorki. Currently, the palace is the working residence of the President of the country.

Tainitsky garden

It got its name from the tower next to it. Broken at the southern wall, it is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. The exact date of the appearance of the park zone on the territory of the Kremlin is unknown, presumably - the XIV century. Large excavations have been carried out here. In 2013, a heliport was built, which caused damage to the historical view. There are poultry houses with birds of prey to protect the local flora from pests.

funny palace

It was erected in 1651 for the father-in-law of Tsar Alexei Mikhailovich. The only surviving boyar mansions on the territory of the Kremlin. At one time it was one of the first residential buildings made of stone. After the death of the first owner, it passed into state ownership. Its appearance changed, the Police Department was based here during the time of Peter I. After the restoration work, the palace in many respects became similar to the original. Now placed under the commandant's office.

Terem Palace

It was built by order of Tsar Mikhail Fedorovich as a front chamber. One of the first dwellings made of stone in Moscow. During the restoration, according to later samples, the wall painting and decoration of the palace were restored. Today it is the residence of the president. A visit is available only in a complex with the Grand Kremlin Palace as part of an excursion and after obtaining special permission from the local commandant's office.

Verkhospassky Cathedral

It belongs to the house churches at the Terem Palace and appeared in the first half of the 17th century. Together with other temples, it forms a row of 11 chapters, which are clearly visible from the Palace Square. The cathedral was visited by members of the royal family, including Empress Evdokia. The wooden iconostasis is decorated with carvings and made in the Baroque style. Closed for inspection, services have not been held since 1918.

Church of the Nativity of the Virgin on Senya

One of the oldest architectural monuments of the capital, dated 1393. The architecture of the church shows features of several schools of Russian architecture. The external appearance was partially preserved, since during the reconstruction and repairs, the original features were lost and replaced with more modern ones. It is not an active temple, and also does not have museum expositions.

Monument to Grand Duke Sergei Alexandrovich

It was installed and consecrated in 1908 at the site of the murder of one of the sons of Alexander II. A small area was fenced off and a bronze cross with the crucified Christ was erected in the center, and a lamp was burning in front of it. The monument was demolished 10 years later. In 2017, by order of President Putin, it was restored according to the available images and returned to its original place. Patriarch Kirill consecrated the new cross.

Red Square

The main square of the capital and the country. Although it historically belongs to Kitai-Gorod, it is associated primarily with the ensemble of the Moscow Kremlin. Changed several names. It was first mentioned in chronicles as Torg. It conditionally divided two zones, very different in terms of the social profile of the population: from the side of the Kremlin - the boyars and the royal family, from the side of Kitay-gorod - merchants and ordinary inhabitants. She played her part in the revolution. The first military parade was held here in 1941. In modern times, significant events are held, big concerts, the largest skating rink in Russia is being poured. Sightseeing: Mausoleum, Necropolis, Execution Ground, monument to Minin and Pozharsky.