A short story about the Kremlin as a child. The Kremlin and its history
Dolgoruky built his fortress,
So that the city is the first in the area.
Kalita built the oak Kremlin
For centuries, so that it stands like new...
What is the Moscow Kremlin? This is both a simple and complex question. On the one hand, this is an ancient majestic fortress with beautiful buildings from different eras. But something is missing in this definition. Unlike anything else in the world, having several purposes at once, the amazing and mysterious “island” has always amazed and inspired. He is not a fossilized past, he is an animated hero. This is the heart of not only Moscow, but all of Russia.
The walls and towers of the Kremlin were erected under Ivan III in 1485–1495 by architects Antonio Fryazin (Antonio Gilardi), Marco Fryazin (Marco Ruffo), Peter Fryazin (Pietro Antonio Solari), Aleviz Fryazin the Old (Aloisio de Carcano). The architects were not related. In medieval Rus' all Italians were called “Fryazins”.
The Kremlin walls, more than two kilometers long, follow the contours of Borovitsky Hill and cover an area of more than 27 hectares. The height of the walls is from 8 to 19 meters, thickness - from 3.5 to 6.5 meters. Along the top of the wall there is a combat platform, invisible from the outside, ranging from 2 to 4.5 meters wide.
In the corridors inside some towers, “chambers” were preserved - blank dungeons without light, where dangerous criminals were kept.
There are 20 towers on the walls. They were usually named after the temples that stood near them or the features of the area.
The oldest tower is Tainitskaya. A wall was built here to protect the south from the Tatars. A well was dug under the tower and a secret passage was made to the Moscow River in order to supply the Kremlin with water in case of a siege. Hence the name of the tower.
An elegant turret with an intricate shape - Tsarskaya. She is the youngest. It was built by order of Ivan the Terrible, from which he could observe the construction of the Intercession Cathedral and the massacre of convicts. From here the Moscow queens and princesses, who were not allowed to appear among the crowd, watched the religious procession along Red Square on major holidays.
Whoever is proud does not take off his hat
At the saints' gate in the Kremlin.
The most important and most famous tower is Spasskaya. In Rus', when entering the Kremlin, it was customary to take off your hat and place candles in front of the icons. We entered the Kremlin through the Spassky Gate, which was located in the Spassky Tower. This was the main front gate. On the tower there was an image of the Savior Not Made by Hands. The famous large clock, the Spassky chimes, is also located here.
Cathedral of the Archangel
The Archangel Cathedral is located on the ridge of Borovitsky Hill in the southeastern part of Cathedral Square. The wooden Archangel Michael Church was first built on this site in the middle of the 13th century under Prince Mikhail Yaroslavich the Brave, brother of St. Alexander Nevsky. According to legend, this was the second church in Moscow. And in 1333, by decree of Ivan Kalita, a stone temple was erected here in honor of Archangel Michael, the patron saint of warriors and princes in their military exploits. In large cities of Rus' they tried to build a temple in his honor. Ivan Kalita built a new cathedral as a vow, in gratitude for delivering Rus' from famine.
According to Christian beliefs, Archangel Michael guards the gates of heaven, so the temple also began to serve as a tomb for Russian sovereigns and princes. Ivan Kalita was the first to be buried in the Kremlin tomb. Great princes and kings are buried in the temple, their images are depicted in paintings on the walls and pillars. Now there are 53 burials and 46 tombstones in the Archangel Cathedral.
The graves of Dmitry Donskoy, Ivan the Terrible and his two sons - Tsarevich Ivan and Tsar Fyodor Ivanovich, who ended the legendary Rurik family that ruled Russia for seven and a half centuries, attract the greatest attention among the royal burials. The most revered shrines are the relics of Tsarevich Dmitry (the youngest son of Ivan the Terrible), whose remains were once transported here from Uglich! The death of a child once shocked the people and left a mark in historical songs, legends, and paintings. Another shrine is the shrine of the Chernigov miracle workers. Prince Mikhail of Chernigov, together with the boyar Fedor, were killed in the Horde in 1246 for refusing to bow to idols. Their relics, as one of the most ancient Russian relics, were transferred from Chernigov to Moscow.
The temple acquired its modern appearance at the beginning of the 16th century. The Italian master Aleviz Novy, also known as Aleviz Fryazin, worked on its construction.
It was quite difficult for Aleviz to adapt the motifs of the Renaissance style that were familiar to him to the completely unfamiliar form of the building. The Archangel Cathedral was built according to Russian traditions, but elements of Venetian architecture were used in the processing of the facades. The result was a rather unique structure, which even contemporaries assessed ambiguously and called “Russian in Italian clothes.”
The five-domed, six-pillar Archangel Cathedral has become one of the most elegant buildings in the Moscow Kremlin. This is the second largest Kremlin cathedral.
Blagoveshchensky cathedral
The Annunciation Cathedral is one of the most famous Kremlin churches. For a long time, the cathedral was the home church of Russian sovereigns. Here kings came to receive communion and confession, here they baptized children. The temple was consecrated in honor of the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The cathedral enjoyed special veneration among parishioners, because there were many sacred relics here.
According to legend, in 1290 a wooden church was founded at the princely court of Prince Daniil Alexandrovich. Then, over the centuries, the temple was rebuilt several times and became stone. In 1560, the cathedral acquired its current appearance - a nine-domed temple with gilded domes. There is a covered gallery or porch on three sides of the cathedral. According to custom, sovereigns came up here after leaving the Assumption Cathedral after being crowned kings. This is where most of the beggars gathered on ordinary days, and only Peter I forbade letting them into the Kremlin.
Every Russian sovereign sought to make some contribution to the arrangement and decoration of the temple. Prince Vasily III issued a decree according to which the painting of the walls of the Annunciation Cathedral had to be updated, and the domes of its domes should be richly and festively gilded. At this time, the cathedral was still called “the temple in the Tsar’s courtyard near the Senya,” but due to the abundance of gold on the numerous domes it was also called the Golden-Domed Cathedral.
The cathedral was connected to the sovereign's chambers, and from the east it was adjoined by a garden where fruit trees grew and there were neat ponds with fish. The southern entrance to the cathedral was used only by the sovereign and his family. The floor of the temple was paved with valuable stones - marble, jasper, agate.
The value of the interior decoration of the temple lies in its miraculous power. For example, in the northern gallery there is an image of the All-Merciful Savior, who became famous for his healings during the plague of 1771. The iconostasis of the cathedral contains icons painted by such outstanding masters as Andrei Rublev, Theophanes the Greek and Prokhor from Gorodets.
During its history, the cathedral burned down many times and was looted, but each time it was restored, thanks to which it still brings joy to us. On the Feast of the Annunciation on April 7, services are held here, and according to the old Russian tradition, the Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus' releases white doves from the steps of the cathedral.
One day, from the porch of the cathedral, Tsar Ivan the Terrible saw a comet in the shape of a cross. This sight shocked the sovereign, and he took it as a sign of his death. After some time, Ivan the Terrible actually died. Astronomers today confirm the fact of the passage of such a comet near the Earth in 1584, that is, in the year of the death of Ivan the Terrible.
Senate
Do you know where the residence of the head of our state - the President of the Russian Federation - is located? Since the nineties of the last century, it has been located in the Senate building in the Kremlin.
During its history, this building changed its purpose many times. It was built by order of Catherine II. The Empress commissioned her best architect Matvey Kazakov to erect a building for two departments of the Senate.
The building looks unusual, has a triangular shape. This was done so that it would fit between the ancient monasteries that surround the territory of the Senate.
The main decoration of the Senate is the Catherine Hall with a huge dome. There is a legend that the workers did not want to remove the devices with which they made the vault. They were afraid that everything would collapse. Then Kazakov himself climbed to the top of the vault and “made various jumps and stomps” to convince the builders of the reliability and strength of the structure. A statue of St. George the Victorious was installed above the dome, which disappeared after the Napoleonic invasion.
The building was built from 1776 to 1788. 759,395 rubles were spent on construction. 73.5 kopecks - such a thorough report was presented.
Catherine II really liked the building. “How good everything is, what art!” - she said to Kazakov. For the construction of the Senate, Kazakov received a precious ring, another rank and a good pension.
Since the end of the 19th century, this building housed a law office. After the October Revolution of 1917, the Soviet government was located here, and the office and apartment for the chairman of the Council of People's Commissars, V. I. Lenin, were equipped there.
After the collapse of the Soviet Union, the tricolor Russian flag flew over the dome instead of the lowered red one.
In the mid-90s of the 20th century, the premises were reconstructed. The building now has galleries, formal rooms, beautiful fireplaces and chandeliers, and figured furniture. Now the President of the Russian Federation holds important state receptions here.
Bell tower "Ivan the Great"
When you go for a walk around Moscow, you can see the golden cap of “Ivan the Great” from everywhere. And in the old days, travelers could notice “Ivan the Great” even several miles away.
Who, the strong man, will take in his arms
Hill of the Kremlin-hero?
Who will knock off the golden hat?
At Ivan the bell-ringer?..
The Ivan the Great Bell Tower is the tallest building in the Kremlin - 82 meters. For a long time, there was a superstition among Muscovites that no building in the city should surpass “Ivan”. They used to say about a tall, well-behaved man: “The kid grew up like Ivan the Great.” The bell tower got its name from the Church of St. John Climacus, which is located at the base of the bell tower. This tower has been known since ancient times. “Ivan the Great” began under Ivan Kalita. The pillar-shaped structure was erected by the Italian architect Bon Fryazin. Much later, Boris Godunov wanted to build a tower. In ancient times, it served as the main watchtower of the Kremlin. A guard sat on the highest platform and monitored whether there was any danger across the river; in case of alarm, he struck the bells, then the guards raised the drawbridges and locked the gates.
The Ivan the Great bell tower and belfry house more than twenty unique bells. The largest - Uspensky weighs 70 tons, was cast in the 19th century.
On the lower tier there are bells with a lower sound - “Ivan the Great is buzzing, buzzing, as if a ringing is coming from the depths of centuries!”, and at the top of the bell tower hangs a bell with a high sound, similar to the cry of a bird, its name is “Swan”. The pillar is crowned with a cross. This is the largest of the Kremlin crosses, with the inscription “Tsar of Glory” on it.
Climbing the bell tower is not so easy. There are 329 steps leading to the upper observation deck. Anyone who manages to overcome them will have a beautiful view of the capital.
Clouds are all around
Domes are around
We need all of Moscow
How many hands are enough?
In clear weather, you can see the outskirts of Moscow 40 kilometers from the Kremlin. In 1812, during the war with the French, the bell tower survived the explosion and to this day delights with its grandeur and the beauty of the bell ringing.
Grand Kremlin Palace
The Grand Kremlin Palace is located on the high Borovitsky Hill. It was built in 1838–1849 on the initiative of Nicholas I on the site of the dismantled ancient grand-ducal palace of Ivan III and the palace of Empress Elizabeth Petrovna, erected on its foundation in the 18th century. The then famous architect Konstantin Ton was entrusted with developing the project for the new palace. A group of leading architects was involved in the work. N.I. Chichagov designed the interior decoration, F.F. Richter - the interiors, V.A. Bakarev compiled the estimates. According to the idea of Nicholas I, the palace was to become a monument to Russian history and the glory of the Russian army. No expense was spared for its construction.
The main façade of the palace traditionally faces the south, towards the Moscow River. It is decorated with white stone pediments, the windows - carved frames with double arches and a weight in the middle, as in the towers of the 17th century. The Annunciation entrance of the Grand Kremlin Palace faces the Kremlin Cathedral Square. The length of the building is 125 meters.
The palace was intended for magnificent crowded ceremonies; the inside was luxuriously decorated. Magnificent decoration, an abundance of valuable materials - a real celebration of architecture. The new palace was the temporary residence of the imperial family during its stay in Moscow.
The palace has about 700 rooms and halls. In the basement there were utility rooms, servants' rooms and menial services. The first floor was reserved for the emperor's personal chambers; there were also rooms for court officials and servants on duty, as well as storerooms for palace property and kitchens. In the western building of the palace on the ground floor there were two apartments - the minister of the imperial court and the aide-de-camp on duty. In the emperor's personal chambers, the rooms are decorated with luxury, demonstrating the wealth and splendor of the Russian royal house.
The most famous in the Grand Kremlin Palace are the famous state halls, named after the main Russian orders: Vladimir, St. George, Alexander, St. Andrew and Catherine. They are located on the second floor.
St. George's Hall looks now as it did a hundred years ago. This is the largest hall, its area is 1250 square meters, its height is 17.5 meters. The names of famous military units and St. George's cavaliers are written in gold on marble boards and on the walls.
The most important hall of the palace is the St. Andrew's throne room. Now it has acquired a ceremonial function: the inauguration of the president takes place here.
The Grand Kremlin Palace is part of the residence of the President of Russia.
Assumption Cathedral
The main historical monument of the Kremlin - the Assumption Cathedral - is located in the depths of Cathedral Square. All other buildings in the Kremlin were erected based on it. For five centuries it was the main cathedral of the Russian state.
The history of the temple began in 1326, when Grand Duke Ivan Kalita and Saint Peter laid the foundation for the first stone cathedral in Moscow, dedicated to the Dormition of the Blessed Virgin Mary. “Dormition” in Old Church Slavonic means “blessed death.”
The cathedral is simple and majestic. In plan it is a regular quadrangle. Height with cross 45 meters. The walls are built of white stone, and the vaults and other parts of the building are made of brick. The temple vault is supported by four columns more than two meters thick.
The architect of the cathedral, Aristotle Fioravanti, was invited by Grand Duke Ivan III from Italy. Construction lasted just over four years, and the architect received approximately 43 kg of silver for his work.
Look with your head up
For five gilded heads,
Immediately to mind
The words will come:
“Golden-domed Moscow!”
The cathedral makes an indelible impression on visitors. It is illuminated by twenty-two huge chandeliers. When there was no electricity, pure beeswax candles were used. When burning, the candles did not melt and provided soft light, warmth and a special fragrant aroma. The central silver chandelier in the form of a huge sheaf of wheat weighs about 330 kilograms. The silver was recaptured from Napoleonic troops by the Cossacks of Ataman Platov.
In front of the iconostasis are the prayer places of the king, queen and patriarch. "Monomakh's Throne" is a place of worship created in 1551 for the first Russian Tsar Ivan the Terrible.
Dmitry Donskoy prayed in the Assumption Cathedral before the battle with Mamai, Peter the Great before his campaigns against the Swedes and Turks.
The royal wedding ceremony took place here until the end of the 19th century. After him, representatives of all classes swore allegiance to the sovereign. Here was the miraculous Vladimir Icon of the Mother of God, in the place of which its copy is now located. This icon was revered as the patroness of Russia; the salvation of Moscow from the invasion of Tamerlane in 1395 and the final liberation from the Tatar-Mongol yoke in 1480 were associated with it.
Nowadays, services in the Assumption Cathedral are held on great church holidays, on days of celebration of the memory of the saints who rest here.
The Tsar Bell
The voice of God, the voice of the people, the prophetic voice -
This is what bells have been called in Rus' for a millennium.
They called on holidays and at bad times,
And we didn’t start important things without them.
In ancient times in Rus', every day in the morning and evening, on holidays and on weekdays, people heard bells ringing.
Russian tsars loved to visit the bell tower and enjoy the ringing of the bells. Each sovereign sought to cast his own personal bell.
At the beginning of the 17th century, on the orders of Boris Godunov, a very large bell was cast, which was called the Tsar Bell; it weighed about 40 tons. It was like the great-grandfather of the Tsar Bell, which now stands in the Kremlin. During the reign of Alexei Mikhailovich, during a fire, the bell fell and broke. From its fragments they decided to cast a new, even larger bell. But it didn’t last long, it crashed during the Christmas bells.
The new bell, cast by Alexander Grigoriev, weighed 160 tons. The Syrian traveler Pavel Aleppo wrote about him: “There is nothing like this rarity, great, amazing, unique in the world, there has not been and will not be, it surpasses human strength.” This giant did not last long; it crashed during another fire.
In 1730, Empress Anna Ioannovna issued a decree on the casting of a new bell. Foundry master Ivan Motorin took up the matter. The first attempt to cast the bell was unsuccessful, after which the master died “of sadness,” as stated in the official petition. The work was completed by his son Mikhail. He did a brilliant job. The dimensions of the cast giant are impressive:
Weight - 12,500 pounds (200 tons), height and diameter - more than 6 meters, wall thickness - 61 centimeters. On the surface of the bell, on both sides, are poured images of Tsar Alexei Mikhailovich and Empress Anna Ioannovna in full vestment and with symbols of royal power - a scepter and an orb. The image of Tsar Alexei Mikhailovich indicates that the new Tsar Bell was cast from an older one made by this sovereign.
But in 1737 there was a severe fire. The wooden roof above the foundry pit in which the bell was located caught fire, and burning logs began to fall on the bell. People rushed to fill them up in a hurry. When the fire was extinguished, it turned out that the bell was damaged due to temperature changes. Many cracks appeared on it, and a piece weighing 11.5 tons fell off.
The bell was in the pit for about a hundred years and only in 1836 it was possible to remove it and install it on a prepared pedestal, where the bell remains to this day.
Tsar Cannon
There are thousands of cannons in the world, but only one is called the Tsar Cannon. It is located in the Moscow Kremlin. Why is it called so majestically - the Tsar Cannon?
It just so happened that in Rus' “tsar” is called not only the monarch, the head of state, but also everything that stands out from the general series: the Tsar Bird - the eagle, the Tsar of Beasts - the lion, and there is also the Tsar Maiden, Tsar Bell and , of course, the Tsar Cannon is the largest cannon in the world.
The size of the Tsar Cannon is impressive. The trunk length is more than 5 meters, the diameter is 120 centimeters, and the wall thickness is about 15 centimeters. The weight of the gun is 2400 pounds, which is more than 39 tons. It is very difficult to move such a colossus. When it was necessary to deliver the cannon to Red Square, ropes were tied to eight staples on its barrel. Two hundred horses pulled the cannon, and thick log rollers were placed under it.
The name “Tsar Cannon” is also associated with its dedication to Tsar Fyodor Ivanovich, on whose order the cannon was cast. The chronicle testifies:
“By order of the Sovereign Tsar and Grand Duke Fyodor Ivanovich... a large cannon was built, the like of which has never been seen in Rus' or in other lands, and its name is Tsar.”
On the right side of the cannon, on the muzzle, there is an image of the sovereign in military attire with a scepter in his hand. Nearby are the inscriptions: “By the grace of God, Tsar and Grand Duke Fyodor Ioannovich, Sovereign and Autocrat” and: “By the command of the pious and Christ-loving Tsar and Grand Duke Fyodor Ioannovich, Sovereign, Autocrat of all great Russia under his pious and Christ-loving Queen, Grand Duchess Irina.” There is also a note on the cannon about the creator of the cannon: “The cannon was made by cannon maker Ondrei Chokhov.” Chokhov was a famous foundry, cannon and bell maker of his time.
She is four centuries old!
Years are no hindrance to a gun:
On a hot day and in the cold
The ray shines gold on bronze!
The carriage for the cannon was made only two and a half centuries later. The initial drawings for the carriage were made by Academician of the Russian Academy of Arts Alexander Pavlovich Bryullov, and the drawings were made by the Director of the Commission for Buildings in Moscow, Major General de Witte.
During all this time, the Tsar Cannon never fired, although it was cast “to the surprise of the common people and to intimidate the Tatars who came to Moscow at that time” - for the defense of the Moscow Kremlin. At first, the gun guarded the main gate from Kitai-Gorod, then it was transported several times. In 1960, in connection with the construction of the Kremlin Palace of Congresses (now the State Kremlin Palace), the gun was moved to Ivanovskaya Square, where it remains to this day.
Faceted Chamber
In the 15th century, the architect Mark Fryazin founded the Palace of Facets in the new grand-ducal palace. Ivan III commissioned Mark Fryazin to build a ceremonial throne room for ceremonial receptions. The construction was completed by the famous Italian master Pietro Solari.
Do you know why the ward is called Granovita? The fact is that its façade is lined with white stone with sharp edges like diamonds. The chamber was also called the Sovereign's Golden Chamber, since its vaults were painted with gold.
The building is made of brick. Its interior is a large hall with an area of 495 square meters, covered with four cross vaults resting on a central pillar. For two centuries, the Chamber of Facets remained the largest hall in Rus'. The interior decoration of the chamber was distinguished by unprecedented luxury. The walls of the hall are upholstered in crimson velvet with imperial eagles, above the windows are all the coats of arms of the imperial title with trophies, and between the lower windows there are bronze gilded wall candelabra in the form of double-headed eagles. The floor is covered with scarlet cloth.
Adjacent to the chamber from the west are the ceremonial Holy Entrance Hall, to which an open stone staircase leads from the south - the Red Porch. On coronation days, the staircase was covered with red cloth. After the crowning ceremony in the Assumption Cathedral, the monarchs came up here and bowed to the ground on the Cathedral Square. The last procession took place during the coronation of Nicholas II in 1896.
For centuries, ceremonies of national importance took place in the Chamber of Facets. Foreign ambassadors were received here, the heirs to the Russian throne were solemnly announced, Zemsky Councils met, at one of which, more than 300 years ago, the issue of the reunification of Ukraine with Russia was resolved. In 1552, Ivan the Terrible organized a magnificent feast here in honor of the capture of the Kazan Khanate. For three days he entertained the governors, boyars and foreign ambassadors. Boris Godunov in 1602 organized a feast in honor of the Danish Prince John, whom he was going to marry his daughter Xenia. Lunch consisted of an incredible number of dishes (at least 200). The chairs for Boris Godunov and the prince were made of gold, and the table was made of silver. Peter I celebrated the victory over the Swedes in the Battle of Poltava in the Palace of Facets. A special observation tent was set up for the queen and the children, from which they could observe what was happening in the chamber. According to the customs of that time, the female half of the royal family was forbidden to attend ceremonies.
Currently, the Chamber of Facets has not changed its purpose. It is one of the representative halls at the residence of the President of the Russian Federation.
Armouries
In the old days, chambers were the name given to various Kremlin workshops, where they produced everything necessary for the royal court - from gold jewelry and utensils to weapons. There were the Golden, Silver, Tsaritsyn and other chambers. In the Armory they made combat and ceremonial ammunition, that is, armor, etc.
Under the first Romanov tsars, the Armory Chamber became one of the largest in the Kremlin. The best gunsmiths, jewelers and other craftsmen not only from Russia, but also from other countries were invited to work here.
Under Peter I, royal household items began to be produced in St. Petersburg, and the Armory Chamber turned into a repository of ancient ammunition and utensils. Alexander I transformed the chamber into the palace Imperial Museum. In 1851, construction of the current building of the Armory Chamber was completed (architect K. Ton).
Unique items are stored in the display cases of the Armory Chamber. Researchers of Russian antiquity collect material here for their scientific works, and famous artists draw subjects for paintings.
Every visitor can find suitable exhibits in the Armory Chamber. Those interested in weapons will go to look at military ammunition and trophies, fashionistas will linger for a long time at the display cases with the outfits of Russian tsars and coronation vestments, fans of ancient jewelers will admire their craftsmanship, looking at the display cases with embassy gifts.
The state regalia of the Russian tsars are of greatest interest to visitors. Here is the largest collection of symbols of state power in Europe, the most famous of which is the famous Monomakh cap. This unique headdress was placed on the heads of Russian tsars who occupied the throne before Peter I. The only double throne in the world, made for two brother tsars: Ivan V and Peter I, is also located here.
The Armory Chamber contains: the ark of Dionysius of Suzdal with relics of the Passion of Christ, the ceremonial helmet of Tsar Mikhail Romanov, which, according to legend, belonged to Alexander Nevsky, unique works of the court jeweler Carl Faberge.
It is almost impossible to study all the exhibits, so by coming here again and again, you can discover something new for yourself every time.
Terem Palace
The Terem Palace emanates distant antiquity and fairy tales. Despite all the changes that have occurred to the palace, the building still resembles a wooden mansion, as if several huts were stacked on top of each other. At the very top is the Golden-Domed Teremok, which consists of one bright room. The Terem Palace was built of stone, similar to a Russian wooden house, on the site of wooden chambers from the time of Ivan IV in 1635–1636. Its construction was supervised by the most talented masters of Russian architecture Vazhen Ogurtsov, Trefil Shaturin, Antip Konstantinov and Larion Ushakov.
The tower is a preserved part of the large Royal Court. The living rooms have three windows, as was customary in Russian huts.
The first to settle in the stone chambers was the prince, and in the future Russian sovereign Alexei Mikhailovich.
What kind of life did the kings have in the Terem Palace? Here they adhered to a strict routine. Any violation of etiquette or rude word in the royal chambers could be perceived as an insult to the sovereign and entail punishment.
With the first rays of the sun, at four or five o'clock, and in winter no later than seven, the royal family was already up. In the Chamber of the Cross, where the king prayed for about a quarter of an hour after sleep, candles were already burning. After the prayer, the king received the blessing of the priest, who sprinkled him with water specially brought from holy places. Then the king went to matins in one of the palace churches. On major holidays, services were held in the Kremlin cathedrals. There was no breakfast, because it was impossible to eat before the service, and after the service it was not far until lunch. The king dealt with state affairs until lunch, and only after finishing them did he go to the meal. On fasting days they ate modestly - oatmeal with rye bread, and washed it down with beer or apple juice. On normal days, about 70 dishes were served on the table. Here you can find caviar, stews, and roasts - you can’t list everything. After the meal, the king went to bed, usually before three o'clock. After sleep, the courtiers came to the king and all together they went to the temple for Vespers. Business was discussed after the service. In the evening the king left communication with his household. At this time, he read books, played chess, listened to stories of pilgrims about distant countries, and sometimes watched performances of circus performers in the Amusement Palace. After the evening meal, the king went to the Cross Chamber to pray. Currently, the Terem Palace as part of the Grand Kremlin Palace is part of the residence of the President of the Russian Federation.
The Moscow Kremlin is the main attraction of Russia. It is located in the oldest part of the capital - it rises majestically above the city and invariably attracts travelers from all over the world. And it’s not surprising, because every building here is a unique historical monument of the country. Due to its uniqueness, the architectural ensemble of the Kremlin is included in the list and is under the protection of UNESCO.
The Kremlin complex is the official residence of the President of the Russian Federation. On its territory is located the "Moscow Kremlin" - the State Historical and Cultural Museum-Reserve. He is in charge of:
- Ivan the Great belltower;
- Cathedral Square (complete architectural ensemble) - Arkhangelsk, Annunciation, Assumption Cathedrals, Patriarchal Chambers, Church of the Deposition of the Robe, Tsar Cannon and Tsar Bell;
- Exhibition halls in the One-Pillar Chamber of the Patriarchal Chambers and the Assumption Belfry.
Sightseeing will take a lot of time, so it is better to choose a hotel in Moscow in advance that is closer to the main sites that you plan to visit.
Kremlin. Short story
The word "Kremlin" came to us from ancient times. Once upon a time in Rus' this was the name given to the fortified part located in the center of the city, otherwise a fortress. In the old days, having such a building was vitally important - constant attacks from enemy sides forced people to build fortresses for protection.
According to historical researchers, the first settlements on the territory of the current landmark of Moscow arose in the second millennium BC. The very first construction took place in 1156, when the first fortifications, about 850 meters in length, covering an area of approximately 3 hectares, were erected on the site of the modern Kremlin.
The site for construction, of course, was not chosen by chance. A high hill, surrounded on both sides by the Neglinnaya and Moskva Rivers, gave an advantage over enemies. Thanks to the high location, the enemy could be seen from afar, and the rivers were a natural barrier for the enemies.
It is noteworthy that the Kremlin was originally built from wood. Its walls were surrounded by an earthen rampart, which gave the structure reliability.
The Kremlin today
The flow of tourists wanting to see the Moscow Kremlin seems endless. The following are open to the public: Cathedral Square, State Kremlin Palace, Armory and Faceted Chambers. The museum hosts a variety of music festivals, cycles of chamber ensembles and concerts throughout the year. Every spring, the international festival “Kremlin Musical” takes place within the walls of the Armory Chamber.
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The Kremlin or Kremenets in Rus' has long been called a stone fortress that reliably protected against enemies from the West and East. But only the Moscow Kremlin acquired the status of a sacred symbol, personifying the power of a great country. Behind its red brick walls are government buildings and a gigantic museum complex containing hundreds of thousands of artifacts telling about the history and culture of Russia. Archaeological work does not stop even for a day, revealing new secrets of the most extraordinary place in our country.
Walls and towers of the Kremlin
At the end of the 15th century, Tsar Ivan III launched large-scale construction on Borovitsky Hill. The Italians were considered the best fortifiers of that time, so the sovereign invited Milanese craftsmen to build the fortress. And they did not disgrace the glory of their workshop, building not just a powerful defensive line, but also a complete architectural ensemble. None of the 20 towers are repeated; the walls are decorated with dovetailed Merlon battlements. Only hip roofs appeared much later.
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
Brief history of the Moscow Kremlin
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 walls and towers of the Kremlin that still exist today 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 all the 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 - the Assumption, Archangel and Annunciation. 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.
Tsar Cannon
In the palace halls, inauguration ceremonies for the President are held, state awards and credentials are presented. In one of the palace buildings the Diamond Fund of the Russian Federation and the Armory Chamber are located - a treasury of palace items. In the Kremlin, on pedestals stand the Tsar Cannon weighing 40 tons and the Tsar Bell weighing 200 tons - masterpieces of Russian foundry craftsmanship. Due to their gigantic dimensions, they are not suitable for their intended use, but they have become symbols of great Russia. The Kremlin is always crowded. Guests admire the enduring beauty of architectural creations that personify Russian history. As M.Yu. wrote Lermontov in “Panorama of Moscow”, nothing can compare with this Kremlin which, “surrounded by battlements and golden domes of cathedrals, reclines on a high mountain, like a sovereign crown on the brow of a formidable ruler.”
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 the official residence of the President of the Russian Federation is located here. 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.
