What is the name of the Kremlin on Red Square? Red Square and the Kremlin. Grand Kremlin Palace
Moscow Kremlin- a large fortress located on Borovitsky Hill in the Russian capital - Moscow. Since ancient times it has been the city-forming, historical, political and religious center of the city. Today it is the official residence of the President. Russian Federation. In 1991, a historical and cultural museum-reserve was formed on the basis of the State Museums of the Moscow Kremlin. Now the Kremlin is the main center of attraction for tourists visiting the Moscow capital.
It was built in the 15th century. In 1156, the first fortifications with a total length of about 850 meters and an area of about 3 hectares were built on the territory of the modern Kremlin.
The Moscow Kremlin is younger than the Tula, Pskov, Novgorod and Kazan Kremlin.
The length of the walls, the Kremlin occupies 2500 meters. The Moscow fortress is the longest in Russia. The next contender is the Nizhny Novgorod Kremlin, which is as much as 500 meters shorter.
There are 20 towers along the walls of the Moscow Kremlin. 3 towers standing in the corners of the triangle have a circular cross-section, the rest are square. The tallest tower is Troitskaya, it has a height of 79.3 m. The next competitor of the Moscow Kremlin has three smaller towers and is located in Kolomna.
According to its meaning...
The Assumption Cathedral, located on the territory of the Moscow Kremlin, was the main temple of the country.
The Armory Chamber of the Moscow Kremlin is the oldest treasury museum, one of the richest collections in the country.
Brief history of the Kremlin
The history of the first wooden buildings of the Moscow Kremlin goes back to the distant year 1156. Around the small fortress, which served as a shelter from enemies, there were many villages and villages. In 1238, Moscow was subjected to a terrible attack by the hordes of Khan Batu and was burned to the ground. In the 14th century, Moscow, having been resurrected from the ashes more than once, began to be actively built up with stone. In 1368, at the direction of the young Prince Dmitry Donskoy, the white stone walls and towers of the Kremlin were erected. Simultaneously with the stone fortification, the territory of the Kremlin was expanded. The Moscow Kremlin stood in this form for more than 100 years, subject to numerous attacks from enemies. In 1495, the Moscow Kremlin received new brick towers and walls, new fortifications and even larger territory. As a result, from the point of view of military engineering, the Moscow Kremlin was an outstanding structure that met all the requirements of world defensive technology of that time.
Red Square in Moscow is one of the main symbols of the city, and the country as a whole. This is the most popular attraction among tourist groups and city visitors. This is where those who have to spend only a few hours in the capital come.
Red Square.
However, the residents of Moscow themselves do not deny themselves the pleasure of walking along the cobblestone square, looking into GUM, visiting museums, seeing the Moscow Manege or visiting temples and cathedrals located near the Kremlin walls. The historical significance and importance of many events are acutely felt here, and the mixture of eras creates a bizarre ensemble in which, with each visit, you can find something new, previously unknown.
Please note that some of the attractions are located directly on the territory of the Kremlin (we will note this in the article). You can get there either as part of an excursion group or individually, but in any case the visit will be paid. Tickets can be purchased at one of the ticket offices (the main one is located in the Alexander Garden near the Kremlin walls), but there may be queues during the tourist season. You can buy tickets online:
- On the official website - Federal State Budgetary Institution “State Historical and Cultural Museum-Reserve “Moscow Kremlin”. Tickets are usually sold no later than two days before the visit. The purchased ticket must be printed and exchanged for an entrance ticket at the box office.
- A more simplified option for purchasing tickets online is specialized sites for booking excursions, where you can choose the date of your visit more flexibly. There are many such sites, one of the most famous is:
Moscow Kremlin and Red Square
Ending at Vasilievsky Spusk and beginning at the Resurrection Gate of Kitay-Gorod, Red Square is the territorial center of the capital, which, as is known, has a radial-ring layout.
Vasilyevsky Spusk: leads from Red Square to Moskvoretskaya Embankment.
Entrance to Red Square through the Resurrection Gate from the Okhotny Ryad metro station.
This is where the streets begin, which later turn into the largest transport arteries. big city. On the square itself there are objects sacred to Russian history.
For example, where public executions were carried out, royal decrees were announced, and other important public events were held. For the first time, Lobnoye Mesto was mentioned in the chronicles of 1549.
Execution place.
No less famous is the leaders of the people's militia during times of unrest.
Monument to Minin and Pozharsky.
It was installed in 1818, but historical place, in the center of the square (next to the modern GUM) it stood only until 1930, after which it was moved closer to another attraction - the Intercession Cathedral.
Lenin Mausoleum- the tomb of the first head of the USSR and a place of many years of tourist pilgrimage. In addition to the Mausoleum, tourist groups They usually visit the Necropolis located here - the burial place of participants in the October Revolution of 1917, as well as state and military leaders of the country.
Lenin's Mausoleum and Spasskaya Tower of the Moscow Kremlin in the background.
But the main pearl of Red Square, of course, is Moscow Kremlin and its Spasskaya Tower, well known far beyond Russia. It is this architectural monument, erected in 1491, that the country sees during the chiming clock in New Year's Eve and traditional congratulations to citizens by the President of the Russian Federation.
Museums and historical sights of Red Square
The building of which is located opposite the Intercession Cathedral, was erected in the second half of the 19th century. Like most of the buildings on the square, it is made of red brick, and its turrets are crowned with the heraldic symbols of imperial greatness: lions, eagles and unicorns. The museum's gigantic exhibition includes more than 4 million (!) items. It covers the history of Russia from ancient times to the beginning of the 20th century.
State Historical Museum on Red Square.
Armory Chamber and Diamond Fund They are part of the Moscow Kremlin museums and have been in operation since the times of the Russian Empire. It is here that relics of national significance are kept. In particular, the Diamond Fund contains the large and small imperial crown, the scepter with the legendary Orlov diamond and many other valuables that are a national treasure.
Palace Square on the territory of the Moscow Kremlin.
The Armory contains real historical relics from the 12th to 18th centuries, including carriages used for trips of the royal family, items of ceremonial decoration for horse-drawn carriages, samples of fabric and material, ceremonial and military weapons, accessories made of gold and silver, and much more. other. (note: The Armory Chamber and the Diamond Fund are located on the territory of the Kremlin).
The Armory Chamber on the territory of the Moscow Kremlin.
Temple complexes of Red Square
Cathedral Square of the Kremlin- a special place, which today preserves majestic shrines and at the same time masterpieces of stone architecture. Borovitsky Hill, from which the construction of the Kremlin and temple complexes began, today greets guests with the domes of the Archangel, Assumption and Annunciation Cathedrals, as well as the Church of the Deposition of the Robe and the Bell Tower of Ivan the Great. (note: Cathedral Square is located on the territory of the Kremlin).
On Red Square itself, outside the Kremlin, there is also a place for offering prayers. Kazan Cathedral is a striking example of the best traditions of stone architecture of the 17th century. A bell tower-tent and multi-tiered decorations in the form of kokoshniks crown its crown. The cathedral was completely destroyed in 1936, and now it is difficult to believe that this architectural masterpiece reappeared here only in the nineties of the 20th century, when the city authorities decided to restore the historical appearance of the square and recreated the Kazan Cathedral with detailed accuracy using historical documents and sketches.
Kazan Cathedral on Red Square.
St. Basil's Cathedral in fact is called Pokrovsky (in honor of the Intercession of the Virgin Mary), and only one of its churches is actually named after the saint who gave the popular name to everything temple complex. The majestic building with nine domes is one of the most popular Russian cultural heritage sites for tourists.
Walks and entertainment on Red Square
GUM- the main department store of the capital today has turned into not just a luxurious shopping complex where you can find everything your heart desires, it is a meeting place and pleasant walks. Cultural and entertainment events regularly take place here, and in winter the area in front of the store turns into a huge, festively decorated skating rink.
GUM on Red Square.
GUM on Red Square.
GUM on Red Square.
Alexander Garden, located on the northwestern side of the Kremlin walls, is one of the most beautiful parks in Moscow. Famous fountains and alleys, the legendary Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, numerous monuments and sculptures, rare species trees and bushes make this place very attractive for leisurely walks.
Alexander Garden near Red Square.
Alexander Garden near Red Square.
Alexander Garden near Red Square.
Alexander Garden near Red Square.
Moscow Manege- a legendary exhibition hall, originally built in 1817, but underwent reconstruction after a fire in the early 2000s. Today, the largest festivals and exhibitions in a variety of art styles are held here. A building with a two-hundred-year history continues to attract those who sincerely love and know how to appreciate the beauty of the world around us.
The capital of Russia, Moscow, and its main symbol, Red Square, welcomes guests from all over the world all year round.
First transfer hub:
Metro stations: "Okhotny Ryad", "Teatralnaya" and "Revolution Square" are located closer to the main entrance to Red Square.
Second transfer hub:
Metro stations: “Alexandrovsky Sad”, “Lenin Library”, “Borovitskaya” and “Arbatskaya” are located closer to the Alexander Garden.
In the very center of the capital there are witnesses to significant events of the past and places where the present is taking place - the Kremlin and Red Square. Ancient and unique, beloved and mystical - these places have long become not just business cards of Moscow, but also symbols of the country. Seeing the sights of the Moscow Kremlin and Red Square is task No. 1 for any tourist.
A nice bonus only for our readers - a discount coupon when paying for tours on the website until June 30:
- AF500guruturizma - promotional code for 500 rubles for tours from 40,000 rubles
- AF2000TGuruturizma - promotional code for 2,000 rubles. for tours to Tunisia from 100,000 rubles.
And many more advantageous offers from all tour operators you will find on the website. Compare, choose and book tours at the best prices!
One of the hallmarks of the capital, known far beyond the country’s borders, is the Grand Kremlin Palace, located along the embankment of the Moscow River. The modern palace was built under Nicholas I by a group of architects under the leadership of K. Ton on the site of once-existing structures from the times of Ivan III and Elizabeth Petrovna. The majestic structure is equal in height to a 15-story building, and the occupied area is more than 3 football fields. The complex includes the newly erected palace building, Faceted, Tsaritsyn and Armory chambers, Terem Palace and churches.
Behind the exquisite façade of the palace are hidden about 700 rooms, including 5 order halls, ceremonial and living quarters of the imperial family and service premises. The main attraction of the palace, which is now the residence of the president, is its luxurious interiors with unique parquet, gilding and marble.
Cathedrals
The Moscow Kremlin is a treasury of Russian art and spirituality. A separate component of it are the unique cathedrals, of which only 8 have survived.
St. Basil's Cathedral
The most striking and unique of the existing churches is St. Basil's Cathedral. The peculiarity of the temple, built in 1561, is in its unique chapters, none of which repeats the design of the other, all 10 are completely different. The temple was not always so colorful. Initially the structure was made of white stone and brick, and in the 17th century. its domes and walls were decorated with colorful patterns. What this is connected with is not known for certain, how and who exactly built the temple. There is a version that the architect was Nikolai Postnik, nicknamed Barma, or they were 2 different people.
The cathedral consists of 10 churches built on one foundation. In the center is the Intercession Church, which gave the cathedral its second name. There are 4 large churches around it, indicating the cardinal directions, and 4 more between them. The entire ensemble is surrounded by a bypass gallery.
Ticket price: 150 ₽ for children, 500 ₽ for adults, 1000 ₽ for foreigners.
Cathedral of the Archangel
The Archangel Cathedral stands apart among the Kremlin churches. Built in the 14th century. it will not stand out for its luxurious exterior or richness of colors. The ceremonial building in the Renaissance style was originally built as a tomb and dedicated to the archangel; both the architectural features and the choice of decorative elements are subordinated to this.
The five-domed cathedral, according to the tradition of temples erected in honor of archangels and saints, is crowned with silver helmet-shaped domes and only the central dome - a gilded hemisphere. The facade, originally painted red brick and later repainted white, is decorated with intact pilasters, capitals, rosettes and arches. The interior has undergone significant changes. Unique frescoes remain only at the burial place of Ivan the Terrible. The sights of the cathedral are an icon depicting the Archangel Michael, the “Blessed Sky” and 56 burials of princes and kings.
Blagoveshchensky cathedral
Among the many Kremlin churches built by Italian masters, the Annunciation Cathedral stands out for its architecture. It became a monument of Russian architecture, combining features inherent in the Moscow and Pskov schools. Built as a house church in 1489, the cathedral was added to and decorated until the 1560s, when it acquired modern look. By this time, the 3-domed cathedral, surrounded by porches, was replenished with more churches and galleries and is now crowned with 9 domes.
One of the most beloved cathedrals of princes and kings is distinguished by luxury from the floor made of jasper and agate and the most beautiful iconostasis to the golden cross that Napoleon never found, and the mechanical clock, the prototype of the Moscow chimes. The cathedral is full of mysteries. These are tsats - crescents under the crosses of the domes, and miraculous icons. One of the secrets is the images of Greek philosophers on the porch, among other works by the icon painter Edikeev, who was entrusted with painting the temple. Nowadays there are no services held in the temple; there is a museum here.
Assumption Cathedral
The Assumption Cathedral is one of the main Moscow churches and undoubtedly one of the most controversial. It is still unknown why the Pskov architects abandoned its construction, whose relics lie at the foundation of the cathedral, and much more. In 1479, on the orders of Ivan III, the Assumption Cathedral was erected on the site of the temple of I. Kalita, which was destined to become the most important temple in Moscow for 6 centuries. It was where people were crowned, enthroned, prayers were served, allegiance was sworn and acts of state were read out. In the Assumption Cathedral, the first of the Romanov family was crowned, and Count L. Tolstoy was excommunicated.
Construction was entrusted to the Italian Catholic Fiorovanti, who coped with the task by erecting a temple that attracts attention with its austere façade and golden helmet-shaped domes. Behind the apparent simplicity of the architecture are hidden innovative techniques that made the cathedral outstanding. Now it houses a museum, but holiday services are also held.
Ivan the Great belltower
The Bell Tower of Ivan the Great is an amazing complex that was built over about 3 centuries, from 1505 to 1815. It included the Assumption Belfry with Filaret's extension and the Ivan the Great Bell Tower itself. The first to appear was the bell tower, which served for 3 cathedrals located nearby. Then she was a little lower than now. Almost a century later, under Boris Godunov, the last tier was built. With a height of 81 m, the bell tower became the tallest building in Moscow, which it remained until the end of the 19th century.
In 1552, the Assumption Church was erected near the bell tower, which was rebuilt into a belfry. In 1624, Filaret’s extension appeared at the belfry. The latter were destroyed during Napoleon's retreat from Moscow, and rebuilt again much later. Nowadays, the bell tower houses museums, and upon climbing up, tourists find themselves on one of the best observation platforms in the city, from where amazing view to the Kremlin.
Price: 250 ₽, only from 14 years old.
Verkhospassky Cathedral
The Verkhnespassky Cathedral cannot be confused with any other - its roof is decorated with 11 drums with golden domes. The temple is a complex of house churches built right in the Terem Palace. The origins of the cathedral go back to the 17th century. to house churches, when in 1627 the Catherine Church was built on the women's half of the palace. A few years later, the Church of the Savior Not Made by Hands with the chapel of John the Baptist was erected on the men's side for the Tsar and the princes.
By the middle of the century, the Church of St. Eudokia appeared above Catherine's, which would later be reconsecrated in honor of the Resurrection of the Word. And above the chapel they erect the Church of the Exaltation of the Lord or the Church of the Crucifixion. Osip Startsev united all the churches during reconstruction. Domes were placed on the roof, mounted on drums painted with tiles by masters from the New Yersaim Monastery. The appearance of the cathedral has changed little since then, but the interior has lost a lot.
Church of the Twelve Apostles
The Church of the Twelve Apostles is the home church of the hierarchs of the Russian Orthodox Church, which is adjacent to the Patriarchal Palace. It was built under Patriarch Nikon, who invited the most famous architects and painters to decorate it. Its beauty and wealth, not inferior to the Terem Palace with its temples, became the reason for the patriarch’s disgrace. The Church of the Twelve Apostles is the last of the Kremlin’s temple buildings. Its architecture repeats the elements of the cathedrals surrounding it, uniting them into a single ensemble.
After the abolition of the patriarchate, the temple gradually deteriorated. Significant damage was caused to it in 1917. Now in the only church in Moscow dedicated to this holiday, there is a museum, as well as in the palace itself. The unique paintings that decorated the walls of the temple have hardly survived, but visitors are offered a rich exhibition of icons.
Temple of the Placing of the Robe of the Mother of God in Blachernae
The modest one-domed Church of the Deposition of the Robe of the Mother of God in Vakhern is a memory of the miracle that became possible thanks to the Robe of the Mother of God. The Tatars who attacked the Kremlin, whose first attack was repelled by those besieged in the Kremlin, for some reason left, leaving behind the loot. In memory of this, a wooden temple was erected, which burned down in a fire. In 1486, Pskov craftsmen built a stone church, which became a home for Russian patriarchs and metropolitans. But with the advent of the Temple of the Twelve Apostles, its role changes, it becomes another palace church. It is being rebuilt, the open porches are being turned into covered galleries, along which the queen follows to the Assumption Cathedral.
The church was severely damaged twice: by a fire in 1737 and by artillery shelling in 1918. During the restoration, the wall paintings were restored, which, together with the iconostasis, gives the temple an intimate feel. The gallery of the restored church houses a museum of Russian sculpture.
Important: a ticket to visit the Cathedral Square ensemble, which includes 3 cathedrals, churches and chambers with museums located in them - 500 ₽. Tickets to the Ivan the Great Bell Tower and the Armory Chamber are paid separately.
Museums
In 1991, a museum-reserve of the same name was founded from several state museums of the Kremlin. It included:
- museum-cathedrals where exhibitions are located: Arkhangelsk, Annunciation and Assumption
- Church of the Deposition of the Robe, 12 Apostles
- Bell tower "Ivan the Great"
- Patriarchal and Armory Chambers
Armouries
The Armory Chamber is a centuries-old legacy of Russian tsars and patriarchs. The first mention of it dates back to 1547, only then it was called the Armory Order, which included the Great Treasury, where all the jewelry was kept, the Armory Chamber with weapons, uniforms and banners, the Stable Order with crews and the Workshop Chambers. The modern Armory Chamber occupies 2 floors in the Grand Kremlin Palace. Its exhibition is located in 9 halls and presents more than 4 thousand exhibits of decorative and applied art.
Works by masters not only from Russia and Europe, but also from the East are exhibited here. Among them are a unique collection of thrones, the largest collection of state regalia, rare weapons, art objects of “pre-Mongol” Rus', etc. The most famous exhibits of the exhibition are the Monomakh cap, Faberge eggs, the throne of Ivan the Terrible, the ceremonial outfit of Peter I, etc.
Ticket price is 700 ₽, children under 16 years old are free.
Diamond fund
The Diamond Fund is a separate exhibition exhibited at the Armory Chamber, which is part of the Gokhran of the Russian Federation. The collection collected in the fund was started by Peter I, who by his decree recognized the treasures located in the royal chambers as state treasures. Coronation regalia and jewelry, if necessary, were issued and then returned to the Diamond Cabinet, and then the Armory.
After the revolution, many precious exhibits of the fund were sold. Today, the Diamond Fund's collection consists of about 70 exhibits, including historical stones, gems, diamonds, nuggets, orders and a unique collection of crowns. Visitors will be able to see the famous Orlov diamond, Colombian emerald, 9-kilogram Camel nugget, large and small imperial crowns, etc.
Ticket price: 500 ₽.
State Historical Museum
The red brick building located in the northwestern part of Red Square attracts attention due to its homogeneity with the ensemble of the Moscow Kremlin. Here, since 1883, there is a Historical Museum, the exhibitions of which tell about the history of Rus' from ancient times to the present.
On 2 floors of the museum in 39 halls, 22 thousand exhibits are placed in chronological order, which is less than 1% of the entire museum fund. Moving from hall to hall, visitors from primitive society find themselves in the present day. Among the exhibits are a boat hollowed out of wood, mammoth tusks, a religious building made of slabs, medieval armor, orders, etc. The interiors of the museum, on which Aivazovsky, Repin, Korovin and others worked, are also valuable.
Cost: 400 ₽ for Russians, 700 ₽ for residents of other countries.
Towers
The Moscow Kremlin has the shape of a triangle, at the vertices of which there are round towers (Beklemishevskaya, Vodovzvodnaya and Corner Arsenalnaya), the remaining 17 are rectangular in shape. Despite some similarities, all towers are unique. The Trinity Tower is recognized as the highest, the size of which, together with the star, is about 80 m, which is slightly lower than the Ivan the Great bell tower. Somewhat inferior to it is the Spasskaya Tower, famous for its chimes, when passing through it you had to dismount and take off your hats.
The smallest and most unlike the others is the Tsar's Tower, the height of which does not exceed 17 m. It owes its name to Ivan the Terrible, who loved to watch what was happening on Red Square from here. Another unique structure is the Kutafya Tower - the only one of the bridgeheads, i.e. not built into the wall. Each tower is interesting in its own way: Tainitskaya was the first to appear, Corner Arsenalnaya contains a spring and a dungeon, government motorcades enter the Kremlin through Borovitskaya.
Attractions
Red Square is the symbol, heart and historical center of Moscow. This popular tourist destination is a must-see destination with many attractions.
Zero kilometer
Zero Kilometer is a new landmark of Moscow, which appeared only in 1996. The sign was supposed to appear in the capital back in 1985, but they could not decide on the installation location. This bronze sign shows the starting point for distances. Usually it is located near the main post office, but in Moscow it was decided to place it in the center of tourist routes near the Iverskaya Chapel, explaining this by the fact that before the road, every Muscovite went to bow to it, asking for intercession.
The sign is a square divided into 4 parts, symbolizing parts of the world, inscribed in a circle. The bas-relief of the square depicts animals. In its center is an eight-pointed icon with an inscription. Despite its youth, the attraction is very popular. There is a sign: if you stand in the center of the sign facing the chapel on one leg and throw a coin over your left shoulder with your left hand so that it remains within the circle, then your wish will definitely come true.
Resurrection Gate
Between the building Historical Museum and the City Duma there are Resurrection Gates with a double passage through which tourists enter Red Square. The gate was rebuilt in 1995 in the same place where it was located until 1931. The first gates were erected back in the 15th century. and were called the Lions, because a gift from the English king - a cage with lions - was placed in the ditch in front of them. Later they changed several more names: Epiphany in honor of the church, Neglimensky because of the bridge over the river, for the nearby courtyards of Trinity and Kuryatny, until they became Iveron because of the icon that was met here from Mount Athos.
After restoration, they depicted the resurrection of Christ and the gates began to be called Resurrection Gates. They were demolished as a royal monument, and they did not allow large vehicles to enter the square during the parade. A monument to the worker was erected at this site. Nowadays, this double-arched gate, built in red brick with white inserts, is one of the calling cards of the capital.
House of provincial government
Quite modest against the backdrop of the bright ensemble of Red Square, the building of the provincial government does not catch the eye. Erected in the 1730s and 40s. according to the project of P. Heyden, the building was part of the Kitaygoro Mint. Not all of its buildings have been preserved; new buildings, the City Duma, were built on the foundations of some. The House of the Provincial Government is a 2-story building in the Baroque style. Its façade is decorated with elegant pilasters, cornices, risalits and putti figures. In the middle there is a passage gate through which you can see the building of the Old Mint.
Inside the building, ceremonial halls were equipped for ceremonial meetings of public places; later the Moscow Duma was located here. After the revolution, the building housed communal apartments for some time. Now the premises of the house are rented to non-profit organizations, part of which is rented by a jewelry store.
GUM
GUM is a unique trading city in the historical center of Moscow. The heir to the Upper Chambers of Commerce, the department store specializes in luxury goods and occupies an entire block. Trade has always flourished on the square near the Kremlin. In order to organize the shops, counters and give the trading place a civilized appearance, the Trading Rows were first built, which in 1893 were replaced by a passage - the Upper Trading Rows. They existed until 1917, when they were closed as a relic of tsarism. In 1922, they were opened, but as GUM, which became a symbol of the new policy, which was destined to work until 1930. GUM opened again only in 1953 after the death of Stalin and Beria.
Modern GUM is a shopping and entertainment center that occupies a historical building in pseudo-Russian style with a glass roof, under which there are 3 longitudinal and 3 transverse passages. Products from more than 100 world brands, a cinema hall and restaurants are presented here.
Mausoleum of V.I. Lenin
The Mausoleum of V.I. Lenin is one of the most controversial buildings in Moscow. Created as a ritual tomb, it has long become a museum. The mausoleum, which is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List, is the third in a row. The first two were wooden. The last mausoleum was built in the shape of a pyramid from marble, granite, labradorite and quartz. It is a structure 12 m high and 24 m wide.
Inside there is a Funeral Hall with a sarcophagus in which the leader’s body is kept, and a columbarium where the ashes of other political figures were supposed to be preserved. The latter is not used and is not shown to visitors. The mausoleum fits into the architecture of Red Square, but it still raises a lot of questions: from the choice of the shape of the building itself to the need for embalming.
Execution place
One of the attractions of Red Square, Lobnoye Mesto, is not striking. A small round elevation 1 m high and 13 m in diameter is surrounded by a stone parapet. The discreet architecture does not attract attention, but the building was important - from here solemn speeches were made and decrees were read, the relics of saints were enthroned and exhibited here, strikes were held and works of art were exhibited.
Although legends connect this place with public executions. In fact, no one was executed at Lobnoye Mesto; rather, the legends arose due to a false etymology. The phrase appeared when translating from Hebrew a place in the Gospel that spoke about the execution on Golgotha. And the place is called Lobny because of the proximity of Vasilyevsky Spusk, which in the Middle Ages was called “lob”. Previously, this is where tourists threw a coin in order to return again; now this mission is carried out by the Zero Kilometer.
Tsar Cannon
The largest caliber cannon in the world, the Tsar Cannon, is installed on Ivanovo Square between the Church of the 2 Apostles and the Ivan the Great Bell Tower. An outstanding work of artillery art was made at the Cannon Yard by foundryman A. Chokhov by order of the son of Tsar Ivan the Terrible - Fyodor Ivanovich in 1586. This is a working weapon, because in the barrel there is a foundry seal, which was placed only after a test shot. The length of this giant is 5 m, and its weight is 40 tons; about 200 horses were required to move it.
On the bronze trunk, surrounded by ornaments, friezes and inscriptions, there is an equestrian image of the king, which gave it the name “Tsar Cannon”. In 1835, at the St. Petersburg factory, a carriage was cast for the cannon from cast iron, which only confirmed the name; it is decorated with the head of the king of animals - the lion. Researchers claim that the famous giant is not a cannon at all, but a battering bombard, because the carriage is not designed to fire it. Be that as it may, the Tsar Cannon is one of the achievements of the 16th century.
The Tsar Bell
Another monster of foundry craftsmanship, the Tsar Bell, is located on Ivanovskaya Square near the eastern part of the Ivan the Great bell tower. Cast by the Motorin family of foundry workers in 1730, by order of Tsarina Anna Ioannovna, the bell never rang, moreover, it was never raised to the bell tower. The queen wanted to leave behind the memory of her reign, following her predecessors. The Godunov bell, weighing 33 tons, served for less than 50 years and broke in a fire. The same fate befell the bell created under Alexei Mikhailovich Romanov, whose weight was 130 tons.
The Tsar Bell was cast in 1736, but it was pulled out of the pit only almost 100 years later due to its weight of 200 tons. Only then was a broken piece of 11 tons discovered. The bell, whose height reaches 6 m, and its diameter is about 6.6 m, was installed in the place where it stands now. Disputes about the need for restoration do not subside, but there have been no attempts to implement it.
Monument to Kuzma Minin and Dmitry Pozharsky
The monument to Minin and Pozharsky is the first large monument in Moscow, erected on Red Square in front of St. Basil's Cathedral. Before this, temples, arches, etc. were opened in honor of important events. To mark the 200th anniversary of the Second Militia and the victory of 1612 over the interventionists in 1803, it was proposed to create a sculptural composition. She was supposed to portray the leaders of the militia - Prince Dmitry Pozharsky and headman Kuzma Minin.
It was they who organized resistance to the Polish-Lithuanian and Swedish conquerors in Nizhny Novgorod, where the monument was intended. But the monument remained in the capital. Installed in 1818 in front of the Upper Trading Rows, during the reconstruction of the square it was moved to the cathedral. The monument, the creation of which took 18 tons of copper and brass and was cast in one go, became a real decoration of the square.
Arsenal
Between the Nikolskaya and Trinity towers, close to the Kremlin wall, is the Tseykhgauz or Arsenal. This building, erected by decree of Peter I in 1736, was supposed to serve not only as a weapons warehouse, but also as a museum in which captured military banners, weapons and uniforms were exhibited. The two-story trapezoid-shaped building with a large courtyard took more than 30 years to build. In 1812 it was blown up. Reconstruction work was carried out until 1828. Now its façade is decorated with deep arched windows arranged in pairs and friezes.
Address: Russia Moscow
Start of construction: 1482
Completion of construction: 1495
Number of towers: 20
Wall length: 2500 m.
Main attractions: Spasskaya Tower, Assumption Cathedral, Ivan the Great Bell Tower, Annunciation Cathedral, Archangel Cathedral, Faceted Chamber, Terem Palace, Arsenal, Armory Chamber, Tsar Cannon, Tsar Bell
Coordinates: 55°45"03.0"N 37°36"59.3"E
Object of cultural heritage of the Russian Federation
In the very heart of Moscow, on Borovitsky Hill, the majestic Kremlin ensemble rises. It has long become a symbol not only of the capital, but of all of Russia. History itself decreed that an ordinary Krivichi village, located in the middle of the forest, eventually turned into the capital of a mighty Russian state.
The Kremlin from a bird's eye view
The Kremlin or Detinets in ancient Rus' was the name given to the central, fortified part of the city with a fortress wall, loopholes and towers. The first Moscow Kremlin, built in 1156 by Prince Yuri Dolgoruky, was a wooden fortress surrounded by a moat and rampart. During the reign of Ivan I, nicknamed Kalita (money bag), oak walls and towers were erected in Moscow and the first stone building was laid - the Cathedral of the Assumption of Our Lady.
View of the Kremlin walls from the Kremlin embankment
In 1367, Grand Duke Dmitry Donskoy surrounded the Kremlin with a powerful fortress wall made of white limestone. Since then, the capital has received the nickname “White Stone Moscow”. Large-scale construction began under Ivan III, who united a significant part of the Russian lands around Moscow and built a residence worthy of the “Sovereign of All Rus'” in the Kremlin.
Ivan III invited architects from Milan to build fortifications. It was in 1485 - 1495 that the existing walls and towers of the Kremlin were built. The top of the walls is crowned with 1045 battlements in the shape of a “swallowtail” - they have the same appearance as the battlements of Italian castles. At the turn of the 15th - 16th centuries, the Moscow Kremlin turned into an impregnable massive fortress, lined with red brick.
View of the Kremlin from the Bolshoy Kamenny Bridge
In 1516, a moat was dug along the fortifications overlooking Red Square. After the Time of Troubles, the towers were decorated with tents, giving the Kremlin a modern look.
The miraculous return of the shrine of the Moscow Kremlin
The main one of the 20 towers of the Moscow Kremlin is rightfully considered Spasskaya, created by the Italian architect Pietro Antonio Solari. The Spassky Gate has long been the main entrance to the Kremlin, and the chimes placed in the tower's tent are known as the main clock of the country. The top of the tower is crowned with a luminous ruby star, but after the collapse of the USSR there are increasingly calls to remove the star and erect a double-headed eagle in its place. The tower got its name from the icon of the Savior of Smolensk over the gate.
View of the Kremlin from the Bolshoi Moskvoretsky Bridge
The icon was revered by saints, so men, passing through the gate, in front of the image of the Savior had to take off their headdress. Legend has it that when Napoleon was passing through the Spassky Gate, a gust of wind tore the cocked hat off his head. But the bad omens did not end there: the French tried to steal the gilded robe that adorned the image of the Savior of Smolensk, but the ladder attached to the gate overturned, and the shrine remained unharmed.
During the years of Soviet power, the icon was removed from the tower. For more than 70 years, the shrine was considered lost, until in 2010, restorers discovered a metal mesh hiding the image of Christ under a layer of plaster. On August 28, 2010, on the feast of the Dormition of the Virgin Mary, Patriarch Kirill solemnly consecrated the newly found icon above the gates of the Spasskaya Tower.
Beklemishevskaya Tower
Legends and myths of the Kremlin
From time immemorial, the Moscow Kremlin was not only a symbol of the unlimited power of the sovereign, but also a place about which legends were written. Over the long history of the Kremlin churches and towers, so many legends have been created that would be enough for a whole book.
The most famous legends tell about secret dungeons and underground passages. It is believed that they were invented by Italian architects who designed and built the Kremlin walls and towers. Many underground rooms have been preserved under the former Chudov Monastery, which until the 1930s was located in the eastern part of the Kremlin Hill. These are passages, interiors of temples and long galleries. Today, some of them are flooded with groundwater.
Eternal flame at the walls of the Kremlin
There are rumors among Muscovites that previously branched underground passages led outside from each of the Kremlin towers. The same secret passages connected everything royal palaces. When builders began digging a large foundation pit for the State Kremlin Palace in the 1960s, they discovered three underground passages dating back to the 16th century. The dungeons were so wide that you could drive a cart through them.
Underground passages were found during every major reconstruction. Most often, voids, gaps and labyrinths were walled up or simply filled with concrete for safety reasons.
Spasskaya Tower
One of the secrets of the Moscow Kremlin is also connected with its dungeons. For several centuries now, historians and archaeologists have been struggling with the mystery of the disappearance of the library of Ivan IV the Terrible, which is also called Liberia. The Russian sovereign inherited a unique collection of ancient books and manuscripts from his grandmother Sophia Paleologus, who received these books as a dowry.
In historical documents there is an inventory of the library, consisting of 800 volumes, but the collection itself disappeared without a trace. Some researchers are convinced that it burned down in a fire or disappeared during the Time of Troubles. But many are sure that the library is intact and hidden in one of the Kremlin dungeons.
View of the Assumption, Annunciation Cathedrals and Cathedral Square
The discovery of books in storage facilities located underground was not an accident. When Sophia Paleologus arrived in the city in 1472, she saw the terrible consequences of the fire that raged in Moscow two years earlier. Realizing that the library she brought could easily perish in a fire, Sophia ordered a spacious basement, which was located under the Kremlin Church of the Nativity of the Virgin Mary, to be equipped for storage. After this, the valuable Liberia was always kept in dungeons.
View of Cathedral Square and Ivan the Great Bell Tower
Cathedrals of the Moscow Kremlin - “altars of Russia”
Today the Moscow Kremlin is both the place of work of the President of the Russian Federation and a historical and cultural museum. The historical center of the Kremlin is represented by Cathedral Square with three cathedrals— Uspensky, Arkhangelsk and Blagoveshchensky. An old proverb says: “The Kremlin rises above Moscow, and above the Kremlin there is only the sky.” That is why all the people honored the tsar’s decrees, which he proclaimed in the Assumption Cathedral.
This temple can rightfully be called the “altar of Russia.” In the Assumption Cathedral of the Kremlin, kings were crowned kings, the next head of the Russian church was elected, and in the tombs of the temple the relics of Moscow saints found eternal rest. The Archangel Cathedral, from 1340 until the 18th century, served as the tomb of Moscow princes and kings.
Archangel Cathedral of the Moscow Kremlin
Under its arches, tombstones are placed in strict order on white stone slabs. The Annunciation Cathedral was the personal house of prayer for the Moscow princes: here they were baptized, confessed, and got married. According to legend, the grand ducal treasury was kept in the basement of this temple. The Cathedral Square is surrounded by the Ivan the Great Bell Tower, Faceted and Patriarchal Chambers. Meetings of the Boyar Duma and Zemsky Sobors were held in the Faceted Chamber, and the office of the Holy Synod was located in the Patriarchal Palace.
Sights of the Moscow Kremlin
The younger buildings of the Kremlin include the Grand Kremlin Palace, built in the mid-19th century by order of Emperor Nicholas I. Today, the ceremonial residence of the President of Russia is located within its walls.
Attractions
127563
The most famous and iconic place in Russia and in 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. The history and power of the entire state are imprinted in its appearance. The majestic beauty and unchanging solemnity of a truly iconic place delights tourists from all over the world, who never tire of capturing the full power and monumentality of the square in vivid photographs. A walk around Red Square and its immediate surroundings is not just mandatory, but a priority 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 are concentrated, embodying national ideas and values of different eras. About them - the main objects that make up the most popular walking route capitals, - and will be discussed in our guide.
“The earth, as we 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 north-eastern Kremlin wall and Torg was not built up; the surviving buildings were demolished, and trade soon began to boil in the newly formed square. Fire, Torg, Trinity (after the Church of the Holy Trinity) - this is how the area 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 named Red Square not because of the red color of the Kremlin walls, but because of 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. However, the main attraction located in close proximity from Red Square, the Kremlin always remained.
The medieval fortress, which served as the residence of Russian rulers since 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” has surprisingly many faces: the high walls and towers amaze with their power and beauty, and the ancient temples and chambers, palaces and administrative buildings delight 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 turned into a national shrine and became an undeniable symbol of the great state.
Read completely Collapse Landmark, Museum, Religion, Landmark
The main temple in Moscow - Cathedral of the Intercession Holy Mother of God, which is on the moat, erected on Red Square in 1555–1561. The construction of a grandiose religious building marked the triumphant victory over the Kazan Khanate. The amazing beauty of the temple and the intricacy of the architectural design of its image gave rise to an interesting legend that the architects who participated in the creation of the cathedral, by order of Ivan the Terrible, were blinded so that they would not have the opportunity to build such a masterpiece.
Throughout its existence, the Intercession Cathedral has undergone changes in its appearance more than once. So, in 1588, another (tenth) church was added to it in honor of St. Basil the Blessed, which gave ancient temple 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 custodian of the Orthodox faith. The cathedral also represents an encrypted image of the 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 path to the Savior.
Today St. Basil's Cathedral is a functioning temple, as well as one of the largest museums in the country and Moscow in particular, telling about the history of Orthodox Rus'.
Read completely Collapse 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 occupiers in 1612. The idea of perpetuating the glory of national heroes arose at the beginning of the 19th century. Russian sculptor Ivan Martos was chosen as the author of the monument. In 1812, work began on creating the monument. It took 1,100 pounds of copper to cast it.
The massive sculptural composition was planned to be placed in Nizhny Novgorod, a 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 initial 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.
Read completely Collapse
The existence of a public tribune on Red Square, called the Execution Place, was first reported in chronicle sources from the mid-16th century. The emergence of the “theater of proclamations” in Moscow is associated with the salvation of the capital from invasion Crimean Tatars in 1521. Until the times of Peter the Great, Lobnoye Mesto remained the main political platform of the country. From this elevated round platform, royal decrees and sentences were announced, the election of a patriarch, the start of a war, or the conclusion of peace were announced.
Often, the relics of Orthodox saints were displayed at Lobnoye Place for public veneration. But executions, contrary to popular belief, occurred here extremely rarely, in exceptional cases. The Old Russian oratorical pedestal, also known as the “Tsar’s Place,” has long had a sacred meaning. People stopped near it right up to the revolution Processions of the Cross, from here the bishop made the sign of the cross over the people.
The structure acquired its current appearance in 1786. Then the outdated platform was reconstructed according to the design of Matvey Kazakov. The round platform, made of cut stone, has a stone railing; the entrance was designed in the form of a door with an iron openwork grille; There is a staircase for access.
Over time, Lobnoye Mesto lost its original role. However, people do not stop gathering around him. This extraordinary landmark attracts millions of glances not only as an unusual architectural object, but also as a historical place, marked by solemn and tragic events of centuries-old Russian history.
Read completely Collapse Landmark, Landmark, Shopping and Entertainment Center
The front facade of the GUM building, the main domestic department store, faces Red Square. A large-scale three-story structure in 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. Upper shopping arcades, State Department Store, “GUM Trading House” - these three names capture not only the fate of the country’s largest arcade, but also outline the main stages in the development of the Russian state. Before the revolution, more than 300 showrooms of famous trading companies were located here, where almost all groups of industrial and food products were represented. It was here that price tags excluding bargaining first appeared. In the 20th century, the historical and architectural monument survived nationalization, repeated threats of demolition, which ultimately resulted in two reconstructions (in 1953 and the early 1980s), and, finally, privatization.
Modern GUM never tires of improving its internal space and semantic content. Today it is not just 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 main city skating rink open in front of the GUM building.
Read completely Collapse 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 ancient Russian tower, was erected at the northern end of the square (opposite St. Basil's Cathedral) in 1875–1883. Authors architectural masterpiece became outstanding Russian architects V. Sherwood and A. Semenov. It is no coincidence that there are symbolic elements in the decor of the building: the tops of the main towers are double-headed eagles, and the 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, economics, 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 exhibition is divided into halls, each of which is dedicated to a specific period in the life of the country.
Read completely Collapse Landmark, Religion, Architectural Monument, Historical monument
The path to Red Square from the side Manezhnaya Square and Revolution Square lies through the Resurrection Gate - a restored fragment of the Kitai-Gorod wall. A two-arched structure with gate chambers and two hipped towers topped with double-headed eagles is located between the Historical Museum and the City Duma building. The gate acquired a ceremonial superstructure in 1680. The construction of a two-span passage on this site dates back to 1535.
Over its centuries-old history fortification has changed more than one name: the gates were called Neglinensky (after the bridge across the Neglinnaya River that once stood nearby), Trinity (after the nearby Trinity Tower of the Kremlin). The gate was also called Triumphal: through it the ceremonial entries of Russian rulers into Red Square were carried out. The emergence of the now common name “Voskresensky” 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 Iveron Gate. Back in the 17th century, the Chapel of the Iveron Icon of the Mother of God was installed between the passages - one of the most revered in Moscow. The cult building was demolished soon after the revolution, and in 1931 the Resurrection (Iverskie) Gate, which had interfered with the passage of military equipment during parades, was also dismantled. Both the gate and the chapel were restored in 1994.
Read completely Collapse Landmark, Religion, Landmark
Located in the northern part of Red Square, the single-domed cathedral, decorated with four tiers of keel-shaped 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 tented bell tower rises - a characteristic structure of that time. However, the Kazan Cathedral is not a genuine monument of antiquity, but a recreated temple. Architectural copy ancient church, dismantled in 1936, appeared on the 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) accompanied the second militia that 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 died in the struggle for the independence of their Fatherland. The religious building has been rebuilt more than once over the several centuries of its existence. Today we can both observe its original appearance and take an excellent photo of such an iconic landmark.
Read completely Collapse
Behind the Kazan Cathedral along Nikolskaya Street there is an architectural complex of the late 17th century. This is one of the old mints in Moscow. It was called Red or Chinese (based on its location near the Kitai-Gorod wall). The oldest building in the complex is two-story brick chambers with a passage arch, built in 1697. The façade of the building, facing the courtyard, is richly decorated in Baroque style. The windows of the second floor are framed with white stone carved frames, the walls are decorated with attached columns, and a colored strip of tiled frieze runs along the top of the wall. The basement of the chambers was used for storing precious metals, ground floor there was a forge, smelter and other production premises; the top floor was occupied by a treasury, assay room and storeroom.
The Red Mint operated for a century. Gold, silver and copper coins of national standard were minted here. A reliable security system made it possible to use the yard as a debt prison. Subsequently, the complex was rebuilt, new buildings appeared to house government institutions. The prison continued to operate, where such dangerous criminals as E. Pugachev and A. Radishchev were kept. At the beginning of the 20th century, one of the buildings of the Old Mint was converted into Nikolsky shopping arcades, and some of the buildings were adapted for retail premises. During Soviet times, administrative institutions were located in ancient buildings. Today the former mint is at the disposal of the State Historical Museum.
Read completely CollapseKremlin, Moscow
Landmark, Landmark
The two-story building, located opposite the Historical Museum, between the Resurrection Gate 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 was 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 facades. In the courtyard you can see preserved elements of decorative brickwork typical of the early Baroque. From 1806 until the beginning of the next century, the town hall tower rose above the House of Provincial Government, serving as a fire tower.
Not 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.
Read completely CollapseKremlin, Moscow
Landmark, Landmark
At the end XIX century A representative building intended for the Moscow City Duma was added to the House of Provincial Government. The scale of the structure and its elegant decor, characteristic 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 the outstanding Russian architect, master of eclecticism and pseudo-Russian style D.N. Chichagov. Nowadays, the main facade of the ancient building determines the appearance of Revolution Square (formerly Voskresenskaya), one of the closest to Red Square.
Deputies met in a luxurious “mansion” 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 building itself was occupied by departments of the Moscow Council. In 1936, after reconstruction interior spaces, which destroyed the original decoration, the Central Museum of V.I. was opened in the building. 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 exhibition space for holding various exhibitions.
Read completely CollapseKremlin, 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 located in a new two-story pavilion, which occupies the space of the courtyard between the building of the former Moscow City Duma and the chambers of the Red Mint. The author of the project for a modern building, successfully integrated into the historical buildings, was the famous Moscow architect P.Yu. Andreev. The staff of the Historical Museum did a great job of selecting exhibits and preparing them for display.
On the ground floor of the exhibition complex there is an exhibition reflecting the prehistory of the legendary events - the ten-year period of relations between Russia and France on the eve of the war, as well as a memorial section, including a series of paintings “1812. Napoleon in Russia" V.V. Vereshchagin and a collection of commemorative medals and rarities. In the exhibition halls of the second floor, the image of the Patriotic War of 1812 itself is revealed, and the foreign campaigns that followed it are also highlighted, thanks to which Europe was liberated from the rule of Napoleon. The modern exhibition space is equipped with a multimedia information system, which makes visiting the museum even more exciting.
Read completely Collapse 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 Mausoleum of V.I. Lenin, which became the center of the western part of Red Square. The existing stone mausoleum building, erected in 1929–1930, is the third in a row. The two tombs that preceded it were created as temporary and were wooden. 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 to the leader of the world proletariat after the official funeral. Six months later, the very modest building was replaced by a more significant stepped structure with columns and stands. Both projects were completed by architect A.V. Shchusev. Subsequently, the idea of preserving Lenin's body acquired important socio-political significance, in addition, embalming was considered successful. The same Shchusev designed a version of the building, intended to become the tomb 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, and trimmed with marble and labradorite. The inscription “Lenin” above the entrance is inlaid with porphyry. Often the plastic design of the mausoleum, which has a stepped composition, is associated with Babylonian ziggurats. However, the building on Red Square represents 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 the relics.
Read completely Collapse Sight
Red Square is also home to one of the most famous memorial cemeteries countries - Necropolis near the Kremlin wall. The history of the legendary churchyard began in 1917, when 240 revolutionary fighters who died in the October armed uprising in Moscow were buried in mass graves dug from the Nikolsky to Spassky Gates. Subsequently, not only mass graves appeared near the Kremlin wall (over 300 people were buried in them), but also individual burials. The first person to be buried in a separate grave on Red Square was Y. Sverdlov (in 1919), the last was K. Chernenko (in 1985).
Over the course of 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 above the graves - busts of famous Bolsheviks, behind each of which a blue spruce is planted. On the Kremlin wall, which is a columbarium, you can see memorial plaques on which the names and years of life of “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.
Read completely CollapseKremlin, Moscow
Landmark, Landmark, Historic Landmark
Of the twenty towers of the Kremlin, four overlook Red Square - Corner Arsenalnaya, Nikolskaya, Senate and Spasskaya. The last one, a tall and beautiful clock tower, is familiar to everyone: the festive chiming of its chimes has long become an attribute of the New Year in Russia.
The architectural structure, built in 1491, towers over 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; religious processions passed through them.
Initially, the tower was called Frolovskaya, in honor of the nearby church of Frol and Lavra, now defunct. The second name was given in 1658 in the image of the Savior of Smolensk, placed above the Frolov Gate 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.
To observe the time of worship, the first clock was installed on the tower back in the 16th century. The chimes acquired their current appearance in the middle of the 19th century. Mechanism in different time“taught” 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.
Read completely Collapse Landmark, Museum, Religion, Landmark, Historic Landmark
Back in the first half of the 14th century, the first white-stone churches were erected on the top of Borovitsky (Kremlin) hill, which determined the spatial organization of the future Cathedral Square. The ancient buildings have not survived, but new cathedrals have risen 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 centuries - during the period when the unification of Russian lands around Moscow, which turned into the capital of a single Russian state, was completed.
Cathedral Square, which is the historical and architectural center of the Moscow Kremlin, after five centuries has preserved a unique architectural ensemble, including 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 their architectural value, temples have important historical and memorial significance. The Assumption Cathedral is famous for the fact that all the coronations of Russian monarchs took place there, starting with Ivan III and ending with Nicholas II. And the Necropolis of the Archangel Cathedral became the tomb of Russian rulers (great and appanage princes, tsars). Currently, the Kremlin cathedrals are not only active Orthodox churches, but also museums exhibiting masterpieces of ancient Russian art.
Read completely Collapse Museum, Landmark, Historic Monument
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 museum status. The initial collection was made up of a treasury stored in the Kremlin, the first information about which dates back to the 15th century. After the revolution, in addition to the Armory Chamber, the Kremlin Cathedrals and the Patriarchal Chambers became museum institutions. Today, the walls of historical buildings house permanent exhibitions and temporary thematic exhibitions.
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, rare ancient 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 consists of artifacts found on the territory of the Kremlin.
The ensemble of the Ivan the Great bell tower that has survived to this day, which took shape over more than three centuries, includes three volumes at different times. This is the pillar of the bell tower of Ivan the Great, which in 1600 increased its height to 81 m, the Assumption belfry of the mid-16th - second half of the 17th century, as well as the Filaret extension topped 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, French troops blew up the temple: the bell tower pillar survived, but the northern extensions were destroyed to the ground. Soon after the end of the war, the monument was restored.
Today, on the three tiers of the Ivan the Great bell tower and on the adjacent extensions there are 22 ancient bells. Since 2008 in historical building There is a museum introducing visitors to its unique interior space. Co observation deck The monument offers a panoramic view and stunning views of the Kremlin and Zamoskvorechye.
The Tsar Cannon, which is undoubtedly a weapon in its design, never took 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 the fire and which, moreover, lay in a hole for a whole century, appearing to the public only in 1836. However, the question about the functionality of one of the Kremlin giants in the 20th century received an unexpected answer: 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 decorative design - amazes the imagination and causes genuine delight.
Read completely Collapse Museum, Landmark, Landmark, Historic Monument
The Grand Kremlin Palace is rightly called the Museum of Russian Palace Interior. However, the luxurious palace complex of the Moscow Kremlin has never been a museum institution. The large-scale structure, 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.
During Soviet times, sessions of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR were held in the halls of the former imperial palace. Today it is the ceremonial residence of the President of Russia. Ceremonies for the inauguration of the head of state, negotiations with leaders of other countries, ceremonies for presenting state awards and other official national 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 upon prior requests from 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 Tainitskaya, 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 Ivan the Great Bell Tower. From the Kremlin embankment there is an amazing view of Vasilyevsky Spusk and, partially, of Red Square.
Read completely Collapse Park, Landmark, Landmark, Historic Monument
From Red Square to the Kremlin embankment, a park stretches along the western wall of the Moscow Kremlin, the history of which goes back almost two centuries. The garden, designed by the famous architect Osip Bove, dates back to 1820–1823. At that time, restoration work was actively carried out in Moscow after the fire of 1812. The park, which grew above the Neglinka River enclosed in a pipe, included three gardens (Upper, Middle and Lower), called Kremlin. The current common name was received in 1856 in honor of Alexander I, the conqueror of Napoleon and liberator of Europe.
An ancient garden that has been transformed last years, still retains its former charm and original layout. There are still clear boundaries between its three parts. The main entrance to the garden is still a magnificent cast-iron gate with double-headed eagles, designed by E. Pascal. Among the famous attractions of the Alexander Garden are the “Italian Grotto” at the foot of the Middle Arsenal Tower, symbolizing the rebirth 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 two-hundred-year-old oak.
Read completely CollapseView all objects on the map