At the end of the 15th century, a square appeared on the top of the hill near the new brick walls of the Kremlin, built on the site of white stone walls that had begun to collapse. Its formation was facilitated by the decree of Ivan III, which prohibited any construction at a distance of a cannon shot (about 240 meters) from the walls.
The territory, which was previously a suburb, was hastily liberated from houses and other wooden buildings, and only trade was allowed here. Gradually, the entire area began to be called the Market or the Great Market.
The convenience of trade was determined by the place itself. From the south, the area is limited by the confluence of two rivers - Moscow and Neglinka. On the banks of the Moskva River there were piers, from where goods were delivered to the Market. In 1508, the Alevizov ditch was dug along the Kremlin wall, which connected the Moscow and Neglinnaya rivers. The moat had a defensive function and was deep enough: in some places up to 12.8 meters. Thus, the Kremlin, like most fortresses of that time, was surrounded on all sides by water. Gradually, bridges were built to the gates of the Kremlin, and the moat itself was surrounded by stone battlements.
The Kremlin walls have changed over the years and changed the overall impression of Red Square. So, in 1491, under the leadership of the architect Pietro Antonio Solari, the gates of which eventually became the main of all the Kremlin gates and are used to exit dignitaries during various celebrations.
In the 16th century, the name Trinity (after the name of the cathedral) was assigned to the square. The cathedral was erected by decree of Ivan the Terrible after the victory over the troops of the Crimean Khanate, which took place on the day of the Intercession Holy Mother of God. It received the name of the Trinity Cathedral or the Cathedral of the Intercession of the Most Holy Theotokos, which is on the Moat. Many people know this temple as.
It should be noted that many foreigners who were in Moscow at that time called the square "market" or "trade". And during the reign it was often called "big".
The most ancient building of the square, which exists to this day, is the Execution Ground. It was intended for holding various festive events. For the first time the Execution Ground is mentioned in chronicles dating back to 1547. From here, Ivan the Terrible delivered a speech to the people, calling for reconciliation between the warring boyars. Initially, the platform at the Execution Ground was made of brick, had a wooden lattice, as well as a canopy and a tent on poles. In 1597-1598 the platform was rebuilt in stone.
In 1571, after a big fire, the square was called Fire, and it was forbidden to build wooden shops on the square itself. By 1598, instead of wooden shops, two-story stone shops were built, which formed three quarters: the Upper, Middle and Lower trading rows.
It was during this period that the square began to be called Krasnaya, that is, beautiful (some historians believe that the name comes from the “red”, that is, haberdashery goods that were traded here). This name became official after the decree of Tsar Alexei Mikhailovich, and began to appear in all documents starting from 1661.
In 1620-1630, at the Resurrection Gate on Nikolskaya Street, in honor of the liberation of Moscow from the Poles, was built. And the two-span Voskresensky Gates themselves began to serve as the main entrance to Red Square. Near them were placed the buildings of the Mint and the Main Pharmacy with a tower. At the Nikolsky Gate there was a wooden "Comedy temple", dismantled in 1722.
By the day of the celebration of the Poltava victory in 1709, wooden Triumphal Gates were built near the Kazan Cathedral, and in 1730 a new theater, also wooden, was built according to the project of the Russian architect Varfolomey Varfolomeevich Rastrelli. The area has lost its purely commercial significance.
In the 18th century the square was the center cultural life Moscow. Here at the Spassky Gate there was a book trade, the first public library operated. By 1755, the Russian architect, a representative of the Baroque, Dmitry Vasilievich Ukhtomsky, rebuilt the Main Pharmacy to accommodate Moscow University. In 1786-1810, stone shops were rebuilt and New Trade Rows were erected. The two-story arcade covered almost the entire perimeter of the square.
The mass restructuring of Red Square also affected Lobnoye Mesto. In 1786, it was moved a little to the east and rebuilt according to the project of Matvey Kazakov from wild hewn stone.
There is a popular belief that the purpose of the Execution Ground was public executions. In fact, “vzlobe” was considered holy, so there are not so many facts of execution by cutting off the head at this place, they were usually executed in the Swamp. On July 11, 1682, the head of the schismatic Nikita Pustosvyat was cut off here; in 1698 - participants in the Streltsy revolt. At the same time, for the actual execution, a wooden scaffold was built next to the stone platform of the Execution Ground. Most often, the Execution Ground served as a platform from which the bishop overshadowed the people with the sign of the cross during the procession. Often in the documents there is another name for it, "Tsar's Place", the royal chair. In pre-Petrine times, the most important royal decrees were announced to the people from here.
In 1804, the square was paved with cobblestones.
The modern appearance of the square was formed for a long time. Various events that took place in the country made their own adjustments to it.
In 1818, the sculptor Ivan Martos presented the project to the leaders of the people's militia during the years of the Poles' invasion in 1612. The monument was erected in the central part of the square, where it stood until 1936. According to the project of the sculptor, Minin symbolically pointed to the Kremlin occupied by enemy troops. The opening of the Mausoleum disturbed the architectural composition - it began to seem that the hero was pointing precisely at the Mausoleum. In addition, the monument interfered with the demonstrations that were regularly held on the square. As a result, the monument was preserved, but moved closer to St. Basil's Cathedral.
It is located in the north of Red Square. It was founded by decree of Emperor Alexander II on February 21, 1872. Now the museum building belongs to the most valuable objects. cultural heritage country. Its 29 halls present Russian history from ancient times to the beginning of the 20th century.
Near the Kremlin wall there is a kind of memorial cemetery - a necropolis. The remains of Joseph Stalin, Leonid Brezhnev, Yuri Andropov, Maxim Gorky, Clara Zetkin, Yuri Gagarin and other prominent figures are buried in the necropolis.
In January 1924, the Mausoleum appeared on the square. The structure (architect Shchusev) is made in the form of a stepped pyramid, which symbolizes eternity. All work on the construction of the Mausoleum was completed within two months. The first building of the Mausoleum was wooden, in 1930 a stone one appeared.
In 1924, Vasilyevsky Square was included in Red Square, since 1995 it has been called Vasilyevsky Spusk.
In 1918, Red Square again changed its meaning. Then it became the venue for parades and demonstrations of workers.
On June 24, 1945, the first Victory Parade was held on Red Square, which marked the beginning of the tradition. Every year on May 9, on the day of the signing of the act of unconditional surrender of Germany, a parade takes place on Red Square, reminiscent of the great victory and the heroes who brought it.
In 1990, the Moscow Kremlin complex and Red Square were included in the list world heritage UNESCO. This means that no major changes in the appearance of these historical sites there should be no more.
The old city square, located under the walls of the Kremlin on the historical territory and deserved the glory of the main square of Moscow.
Possessing a unique architectural ensemble, Red Square has become one of the key sights of the capital and, together with the Moscow Kremlin, was included in the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Her images are widely replicated on postcards, calendars and souvenirs, and a walk around the square has become a must-have item in the program of any tourist. In addition, it borders or has access to a number of other city attractions: pedestrian, Varvarka, Ilyinka and Birzhevaya Square, being the center tourist routes.
Modern Red Square is a huge pedestrian space stretching along the northeastern wall of the Kremlin. The square is completely paved with Crimean dolerite paving stones and is used for walks by citizens and tourists, as well as large public events: parades, concerts and festivals.
Architectural ensemble
A huge building stretches along the eastern side of the square - a unique monument of pseudo-Russian architecture, the facades of which amaze with an abundance of decorative elements borrowed from Russian patterns. Next to it, from the side of Vasilevsky Descent, there are the Middle Trading Rows, built in the same style. In the northern and southern parts There are also (St. Basil's Cathedral) squares: located opposite each other, they close the perspective of the square on both sides and look like spectacular completions of a long "corridor" formed by the Upper Trading Rows and the Kremlin Wall. Also overlooking the square, and the building of the Provincial Government.
Attention is drawn to the similarity of the architectural appearance of the Upper and Middle Trading Rows with the building of the Historical Museum: these 3 buildings were built according to the projects of different architects, but the main condition for the construction was that their appearance correspond to the historical environment. The building of the Historical Museum was built first (1875-1881, architect Vladimir Shervud), and a little later - in 1889-1893 - the Upper (architect Alexander Pomerantsev) and Middle (architect Roman Klein) shopping arcades. Thus, these 3 buildings make up a single pseudo-Russian ensemble and echo each other with a set of similar decorative elements.
The Kremlin wall with towers runs along the western side of the square: , and . Behind the wall you can see the dome of the Senate Palace of the Kremlin, and right in front of it - the necropolis and the Mausoleum of Vladimir Lenin.
Among other things, in the southern part of Red Square, near St. Basil's Cathedral, are located - the main city tribune, from which in the past the most important royal decrees and decisions were announced - and.
Necropolis near the Kremlin wall
A significant part of Red Square is occupied by a necropolis located near Kremlin wall- a memorial cemetery where state, party and military figures of the USSR, participants in the October Revolution of 1917 and some foreign communist revolutionaries are buried. At the same time, the wall itself was adapted for a columbarium for urns with ashes.
In the center of the necropolis is the Mausoleum of V.I. Lenin - a small stepped building, inside which is a sarcophagus with the embalmed body of Vladimir Lenin.
The first burials near the Kremlin wall appeared in November 1917, when two 75-meter mass graves were dug here for the supporters of the Bolsheviks who fell during the October armed uprising, in which 238 bodies were buried. In total, more than 400 people were buried here during the years of operation of the cemetery; 300 of them rest in mass graves, 114 were cremated, and the urns with their ashes were immured in the Kremlin wall, 12 people were awarded separate graves. The last burial on Red Square took place in 1985: Konstantin Chernenko was buried here. Among others, Joseph Stalin, Felix Dzerzhinsky, Semyon Budyonny, Leonid Brezhnev, Yuri Andropov and other high-ranking Soviet figures are buried here.
Since 1974, the Necropolis near the Kremlin wall has been protected by the state as a cultural monument.
Why is Red Square so called?
Many tourists and even citizens are intrigued by the question of how Red Square got its name; some try to associate it with the color of the Kremlin wall or the facades of the Historical Museum, others tie in communist symbols, although the square got its name long before the invention of communism.
In fact, to call the Red Steel Square since 1661 without any special prerequisites for the appearance of such a name, that is, its origin is artificial. Most likely, the idea to call the Red Square belongs to Tsar Alexei Mikhailovich; what motives he was guided by is unknown, but it is generally accepted that the word "Red" was used in the meaning of "beautiful" and did not refer to the color of any buildings.
Prior to that, the square was called the Fire, since its space burned out during the city fire of 1493, and the Market - because there were trading rows behind the square, and to some extent it was considered part of their territory. During the time of Ivan the Terrible, it was also called the Great Square.
History of Red Square
Red Square actually owes its appearance to the city fire of 1493. During the reign of Ivan III, when the Kremlin began to be rebuilt, Veliky Posad and Torg were located to the northeast of it. The building was quite dense and almost fit under the new Kremlin wall, but during the fire of 1493, the space between the Market and the wall burned out. After that, it was decided to leave a 110 sazhen (~ 234 meter) wide open area along the wall, and a huge area was formed on the site of the burned-out building, which they began to call Pozhar.
Nevertheless, the square remained a trade area and in the 16th century actually consisted of 3 parts, separated by paving streets: Nikolskaya, Varvarka and Ilyinka, which started from travel towers Kremlin. To prevent the Torg from growing over the entire territory of the square, at the end of the 16th century, a number of stone shops were built along its border, which outlined the eastern border of the square and, separated by streets, formed 3 shopping districts: Upper, Middle and Lower trading rows. The shops were made in the form of the same type of one- and two-story buildings, united by arcades - later this became a characteristic technique in the construction of commercial buildings in Russia.
In 1535-1538, the Kitaigorod wall was built, a section of which with the Resurrection Gates limited the area from the north, and in the southern part of the square, called Vzlobye, in 1555-1561, the Cathedral of the Intercession of the Most Holy Theotokos was built on the Moat (St. Basil's Cathedral).
Thus, in the 17th century, Red Square actually had a modern layout: from the north it was limited by the Kitay-Gorod wall, from the south - by St. Basil's Cathedral, from the west - along the Kremlin wall, and the eastern border was delineated by shopping malls.
Kremlin award: 17th century plan of Moscow showing the territory of Red Square
Although the square remained free from capital development, small trading shops nevertheless appeared on it, and it retained its market character for a long time.
In the 19th and 20th centuries, Red Square got even closer to its usual appearance. In 1814, the Alevizov ditch was dug up, and in 1818 a monument to national heroes was erected in front of the Upper Trading Rows - citizen Minin and Prince Pozharsky; later, already in the second half of the 19th century, there are modern buildings Upper trading rows and the Historical Museum. In 1909, trams were launched along Red Square, right along the Kremlin wall.
Photo: Red Square panorama, 1895-1903, pastvu.com
The Soviet years threatened the square with almost destruction: the General Plan for the Development of Moscow in 1935 provided for the demolition of the Upper Trading Rows and the construction of the Narkomtyazhprom skyscraper in their place with a complete reconstruction of the adjacent quarters, ideas were repeatedly expressed about the demolition of the Intercession Cathedral and the Historical Museum, but none of these plans realized.
It can be said that, compared to what was planned, Red Square "got off with a slight fright": in the 1930s, the Kazan Cathedral and the Resurrection Gates of Kitai-Gorod (together with the Kitai-Gorod Wall) were demolished, and the monument to Minin and Pozharsky was moved from its former place in the center of the square to Intercession Cathedral. A necropolis with a Mausoleum was built under the Kremlin wall, which was subsequently reconstructed several times. The tram line also ceased to exist: in 1930 it was completely dismantled. Otherwise architectural ensemble Red Square was saved.
After the collapse of the USSR, the Resurrection Gates of Kitay-Gorod and the Kazan Cathedral were restored.
Holidays and parades
Red Square over the long years of its history has become one of the most popular places for city holidays and parades, and this tradition has been established since the 17th century, when a procession on a donkey passed through the square: an Orthodox rite held on Palm Sunday and symbolizing the Lord's entry into Jerusalem.
The tradition of holding military parades on Red Square appeared already in Soviet time: parades with military equipment began to be held on May 1 and November 7 - in honor of the day of International Solidarity of Workers and the anniversary of the October Revolution. Later, the Victory Parade was added to them: for the first time it took place on June 24, 1945, and was subsequently held on May 9 - on Victory Day. Today, 2 military parades are held annually on Red Square: the Victory Parade on May 9 and the parade on November 7, dedicated to the historical military parade on November 7, 1941, held during the days of the Moscow battle.
After the parade on November 7, an exhibition of military equipment of the Great Patriotic War usually takes place on Red Square.
In addition to military parades, city holidays and festivals are regularly held on Red Square: for example, the Spasskaya Tower military music festival or the Red Square book festival, and in winter, the GUM Skating Rink and the GUM Fair appear in front of the GUM building.
Red Square is the most big square Moscow! Its area is as much as 7.5 hectares.
Under Ivan the Terrible, the first Moscow zoo actually appeared on Red Square: the section of the Alevizov moat near the Resurrection Gate was drained, and lions presented to the tsar by the British were kept in it. And under Tsar Alexei Mikhailovich, they also kept an elephant donated by the Persian Shah. True, they didn’t know how to take care of elephants in Russia at that time (it was the first Russian elephant), so with the onset of cold weather, he suddenly! - died.
The place of execution has never been a place of executions. Sometimes executions took place on Red Square (for example, after the Streltsy rebellion), but special wooden platforms were erected for this; from the Execution Ground, decrees about them could only be announced. However, there was one exception: in 1682, directly on the Execution Ground, on the orders of Princess Sophia, they cut off the head of the priest Nikita Pustosvyat, an opponent of the church reforms of Patriarch Nikon.
The Tsar Cannon, cast in 1586 by master Andrei Chokhov, was originally installed at the Execution Ground to make the royal tribune more impressive and symbolically guard the Intercession Cathedral and the Spassky Gate. In the 18th century, it was moved inside the Kremlin and installed at the Arsenal, then moved to the Armory. Own modern place the gun occupied only in 1960.
The square was first covered with cobblestones in 1804.
The necropolis near the Kremlin wall is constantly becoming a subject of controversy: many citizens do not like the cemetery on the main city square, and they propose to move it to another place - however, to no avail. Surprisingly, for the first time this topic was raised back in 1953: then in Moscow they planned to build the Pantheon - a memorial tomb for prominent Soviet figures, where it was proposed to transfer burial places from Red Square, including Lenin's body. However, the project was not implemented.
Since December 2006, a GUM skating rink has been opened every year in front of the GUM building.
It may seem absurd, but Red Square is closed at night. The opening hours of the square are unknown and are not written anywhere at the entrance to it, this should be accepted as a fact.
Today, Red Square remains one of the most popular sights of Moscow, its heart, and this is quite natural: after all, it is considered the main square not only of the capital, but of all of Russia! Surrounded by bright architectural monuments, it has become one of the recognizable symbols of our country: to come to Moscow and not visit Red Square is nonsense for any tourist.
The townspeople also like it: after all, who doesn’t want to listen to the chime of the chimes at least occasionally, right? ;)
It is located in the Tverskoy district of Moscow. It can be reached on foot from metro stations. "Okhotny Ryad" Sokolnicheskaya line, "Revolution square" Arbatsko-Pokrovskaya and "Theatrical" Zamoskvoretskaya.
In the very center of the capital there are witnesses of significant events of the past and places where the present is being made - 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 the number 1 task for any tourist.
A nice bonus only for our readers - a discount coupon when paying for tours on the site until June 30:
- AF500guruturizma - promo code for 500 rubles for tours from 40,000 rubles
- AF2000TGuruturizma - promo code for 2,000 rubles. for tours to Tunisia from 100,000 rubles.
And you will find many more advantageous offers from all tour operators on the website. Compare, choose and book tours at the best prices!
One of the visiting cards of the capital known far beyond the borders of the country - the Grand Kremlin Palace - is located along the embankment of the Moskva River. The modern palace was built under Nicholas I by a group of architects led by K. Ton on the site of once-existing structures from the times of Ivan III and Elizabeth Petrovna. The majestic building is equal in height to a 15-storey building, and in terms of the occupied area it is more than 3 football fields. The complex includes the newly erected building of the palace, the Faceted, Tsaritsyn and Armory Chambers, the Terem Palace and churches.
Behind the exquisite facade of the palace there are about 700 rooms, including 5 order halls, front and living rooms of the imperial family and service rooms. The main attraction of the palace, which is now the residence of the president, is luxurious interiors with unique parquet, gilding and marble.
Cathedrals
The Moscow Kremlin is a treasure trove of Russian art and spirituality. Its separate component is unique cathedrals, of which only 8 have survived.
St. Basil's Cathedral
The brightest and most unique of the existing temples is St. Basil's Cathedral. The peculiarity of the temple built in 1561 is in the unique chapters, none of which repeats the drawing of the other, all 10 are completely different. The temple was not always so colorful. Initially, the building was made of white stone and brick, and in the 17th century. its domes and walls were decorated with colorful designs. With what this is connected, it is not known for certain how and who exactly erected 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 the same foundation. In the center is the Church of the Intercession, 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
Standing apart among the Kremlin churches is the Archangel Cathedral. Built in the XIV century. it will not stand out either by the luxury of the exterior or the richness of colors. The ceremonial building in the Renaissance style was originally built as a tomb and is dedicated to the archangel, both the features of architecture and the choice of decor elements are subordinate to this.
According to the tradition of temples built in honor of archangels and saints, the five-domed cathedral is crowned with silver helmet-shaped domes and only the central dome is a gilded hemisphere. The façade, originally painted to look like red brick and later repainted white, is adorned with intact pilasters, capitals, rosettes and arches. The interior has undergone significant changes. Unique frescoes remained only at the burial place of Ivan the Terrible. The sights of the cathedral are an icon depicting the Archangel Michael, and the "Blessed Sky" and 56 graves 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 the features inherent in the Moscow and Pskov schools. built like house church in 1489, the cathedral was completed and decorated until the 1560s, when it acquired its modern look. By this time, the 3-domed cathedral, surrounded by porches, was replenished with more churches and galleries, and now it is crowned with 9 domes.
One of the cathedrals most beloved by princes and tsars is distinguished by luxury from the floor of jasper and agate and the most beautiful iconostasis to the golden cross, which 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 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. Now services are not 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, whose relics lie at the foundation of the cathedral, and many other things, refused to build it. centuries. It was crowned, elevated to the dignity, served prayers, swore allegiance and announced state acts. In the Assumption Cathedral, the first of the Romanov family was crowned, and Count L. Tolstoy was excommunicated from the church.
The construction was entrusted to the Italian Catholic Fiorovanti, who coped with the task by erecting a temple that attracts attention with a strict facade and golden helmet-shaped domes. Behind the seeming simplicity of the architecture are hidden innovative techniques that made the cathedral outstanding. Now it houses a museum, but festive services are also held.
Ivan the Great belltower
The Ivan the Great Bell Tower is an amazing complex that was built for about 3 centuries, from 1505 to 1815. It included the Assumption Belfry with the Filaret Annex and the Ivan the Great Bell Tower itself. The bell tower appeared first, which served for 3 nearby cathedrals. Then it was a little lower than now. Almost a century later, under Boris Godunov, the last tier was built on. With a height of 81 m, the bell tower became the most tall building Moscow, as it remained until late XIX v.
In 1552, the Assumption Church was erected near the bell tower, which was rebuilt into a belfry. In 1624, Filaret's extension appeared near the belfry. The latter were destroyed during Napoleon's retreat from Moscow, and rebuilt much later. Now museums are located in the bell tower, and going upstairs, tourists get to one of the best in the city viewing platforms from where you can enjoy an amazing view of the Kremlin.
Price: 250 ₽, only from 14 years old.
Verkhospassky Cathedral
The Upper Savior 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 Catherine's Church was built on the female half of the palace. A few years later, the Church of the Savior Not Made by Hands with a chapel of John the Baptist was erected for the tsar and princes in the male half.
By the middle of the century, the church of St. Evdokia appeared above Catherine's, which would later be re-consecrated in honor of the Resurrection of the Word. And above the chapel they erect the temple of the Exaltation of the Lord or the Crucifixion. United all the temples Osip Startsev during the reconstruction. Domes were brought to the roof, mounted on drums painted with tiles by masters from the New Yersaim Monastery. Appearance 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 adjoins 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 temples, became the reason for the disgrace of the patriarch. The Church of the Twelve Apostles is the last of the temple buildings of the Kremlin. Its architecture repeats the elements of the cathedrals surrounding it, combining them into a single ensemble.
After the abolition of the patriarchate, the temple gradually deteriorates. Significant damage was inflicted on him 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 painting that adorned the walls of the temple has almost not been preserved, but a rich exhibition of icons is offered to the attention of visitors.
Church of the Deposition 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 Vacherna 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 beaten off by those besieged in the Kremlin, for some reason left, leaving the loot. In memory of this, a wooden temple was erected, which burned down in a fire. Pskov craftsmen built a stone church in 1486, 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 tsarina follows to the Assumption Cathedral.
The church was badly damaged twice: in a fire in 1737 and shelling in 1918. During the restoration, the wall painting was restored, which, together with the iconostasis, gives the church an intimacy. The museum of Russian sculpture is located on the gallery of the restored church.
Important: ticket to visit the ensemble Cathedral Square, which includes 3 cathedrals, churches and chambers with museums located in them - 500 ₽. A ticket to the Ivan the Great Bell Tower and the Armory is paid separately.
Museums
In 1991, out of several state museums The Kremlin was founded the museum-reserve of the same name. It included:
- museum-cathedrals, which host exhibitions: Arkhangelsk, Annunciation and Assumption
- Church of the Deposition of the Robe, 12 Apostles
- Belfry "Ivan the Great"
- Patriarchal and Armory Chambers
Armouries
The Armory 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 jewels were stored, the Armory with weapons, uniforms and banners, the Stable Order with crews and the Workshops. The modern Armory occupies 2 floors in the Grand Kremlin Palace. Its exposition is located in 9 halls and presents more than 4 thousand exhibits of arts and crafts.
Works of masters not only of Russia and Europe, but also of the East are exhibited here. Among them is a unique collection of thrones, the largest collection of state regalia, rare weapons, art objects of "pre-Mongolian" Russia, etc. The most famous exhibits of the exhibition are Monomakh's hat, Faberge's eggs, the throne of Ivan the Terrible, the parade dress of Peter I, etc.
Ticket price - 700 ₽, children under 16 years old - free of charge.
Diamond fund
The Diamond Fund is a separate exposition exhibited in the Armory, which is part of the Gokhran of the Russian Federation. The beginning of the collection collected in the fund was laid by Peter I, who by his decree recognized the treasures in the royal chambers as state treasures. Coronation regalia, 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 collection of the Diamond Fund 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, a Colombian emerald, a 9-kilogram Camel nugget, large and small imperial crowns, etc.
Ticket price: 500 ₽.
State Historical Museum
The building of red brick, located in the northwestern part of Red Square, attracts attention due to its uniformity with the ensemble of the Moscow Kremlin. Since 1883, the Historical Museum has been located here, the expositions of which will tell about the history of Russia 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. Passing from hall to hall, visitors from primitive society find themselves in our days. Among the exhibits there is a canoe carved out of wood, mammoth tusks, a religious building made of plates, medieval armor, orders, etc. The interiors of the museum, which Aivazovsky, Repin, Korovin and others worked on, are also of value.
The cost is 400 ₽ for Russians, 700 ₽ for residents of other countries.
towers
The Moscow Kremlin has the shape of a triangle, at the top of which there are round towers (Beklemishevskaya, Vodovzvodnaya and Angular Arsenalnaya), the remaining 17 are rectangular. 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. The Spasskaya Tower, famous for its chimes, is somewhat inferior to it, passing through which it was necessary to dismount and take off your hats.
The smallest and most unlike the others is the Tsarskaya Tower, whose height does not exceed 17 m. It owes its name to Ivan the Terrible, who loves to watch what is happening on Red Square from here. Another unique building - 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 keeps a spring and a dungeon, government motorcades enter the Kremlin through Borovitskaya.
sights
Red Square is the symbol, heart and historical center of Moscow. It's popular tourist place, where many attractions are located, is included in the program for mandatory viewing.
Zero kilometer
Kilometer zero is a new attraction in Moscow, which appeared only in 1996. The sign was supposed to appear in the capital in 1985, but they could not decide on the installation site. 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 her, asking for intercession.
The sign is a square divided into 4 parts, symbolizing the parts of the world, inscribed in a circle. Animals are depicted on the bas-relief of the square. In its center is an eight-pointed badge 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 foot and throw a coin over your left shoulder with your left hand so that it remains within the circle, then your wish will come true.
Resurrection Gate
Between the building of the Historical Museum and the City Duma there are the Resurrection Gates with a double passage, through which tourists get to Red Square. The gates were rebuilt in 1995 in the same place where they were until 1931. The first gates were erected in the 15th century. and were called the Lions, because. in the ditch in front of them was placed a gift from the English king - a cage with lions. Later they changed several more names: Bogoyavlensky in honor of the church, Neglimensky because of the bridge over the river, along the nearby courtyards of Trinity and Kuryatnye, until they became Iversky because of the icon that was met here from Athos.
After the restoration, they depicted the resurrection of Christ and the gates began to be called Resurrection. They were demolished as a royal monument, besides, they did not allow large vehicles to enter the square during the parade. A monument to the worker was erected at this place. Now these two-arched gates rebuilt in red brick with white inserts are one of the hallmarks 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 is not striking. Built in 1730-40s. according to the project of P. Heiden, the building was part of the Kitaygoro Mint. Not all of its buildings have been preserved; new buildings have been built on the foundations of some - the City Duma. The house of the provincial government is a 2-storey building in the Baroque style. Its facade is decorated with graceful pilasters, cornices, risalits and putti figurines. In the middle there is a passage gate through which the building of the Old Mint is visible.
Inside the building, ceremonial halls were equipped for ceremonial meetings of official places, later the Moscow Duma was located here. After the revolution, the building was for some time communal apartments. Now the premises of the house are leased to non-profit organizations, part of the rented jewelry store.
GUM
GUM is a unique trading city in the historical center of Moscow. The heir to the Upper Chambers of Commerce, the supermarket specializes in luxury goods and occupies an entire block. Trade has always flourished on the square near the Kremlin. In order to streamline the shops, racks and give the trading place a civilized look, the Trading Rows were first built, which in 1893 were replaced by the passage - the Upper Trading Rows. They existed until 1917, when they were closed as a relic of tsarism. In 1922 they were opened, but already as GUM, which became a symbol of the new policy, which was destined to work until 1930. GUM was opened again only in 1953 after the death of Stalin and Beria.
The modern GUM is a shopping and entertainment center, which occupies a historical building in pseudo-Russian style with a glass roof, under which there are 3 longitudinal and 3 transverse aisles. It presents products of more than 100 world brands, a cinema hall and restaurants.
Mausoleum 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 since 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 form of a pyramid of marble, granite, labradorite and quartz. It is a structure 12 meters high and 24 meters wide.
Inside there is a Funeral Hall with a sarcophagus, in which the body of the leader is kept, and a columbarium, where the ashes of other political figures were supposed to be kept. The latter is not used and is not shown to visitors. The mausoleum fit into the architecture of Red Square, but still raise a lot of questions: from the choice of the shape of the building itself, to the need for embalming.
Place of execution
One of the sights 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 - solemn speeches were made from here and decrees were read out, the relics of saints were erected here and the relics were exhibited, strikes were held and works of art were exhibited.
Although legends associate this place with public executions. In fact, no one was executed at the Execution Ground, rather the legends went because of a false etymology. The phrase appeared when translating from Hebrew a place in the Gospel, which spoke of the execution at Calvary. And the Execution Ground is called because of the proximity Vasilyevsky Spusk, which in the Middle Ages was called "forehead". Previously, it was here that tourists threw a coin in order to return again, now Zero Kilometer fulfills this mission.
Tsar Cannon
The largest cannon in the world, the Tsar Cannon, is installed on Ivanovskaya 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 the foundry worker A. Chokhov by decree of the son of Tsar Ivan the Terrible - Fedor Ivanovich in 1586. This is an active weapon, because. in the barrel there is a foundry seal, which was put only after a trial shot. The length of this giant is 5 m, and the 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 the name "Tsar Cannon". In 1835, a gun carriage was cast from cast iron at the factory in St. Petersburg, which only confirmed the name, it is decorated with the head of the king of animals - a lion. Researchers claim that the famous giant is not a cannon at all, but a battering ram. the carriage is not designed for her shot. Be that as it may, the Tsar Cannon is one of the achievements of the 16th century.
The Tsar Bell
Another monster of casting skill - the Tsar Bell is located on Ivanovskaya Square near the eastern part of the Ivan the Great Bell Tower. The bell, cast by the Motorin family of foundry workers in 1730 by decree of Tsarina Anna Ioannovna, never rang, moreover, it was never raised to the bell tower. The queen wanted to leave the memory of her reign following her predecessors. The Godunovsky bell, which weighed 33 tons, served 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, however, it was pulled out of the pit only after almost 100 years because of the weight of 200 tons. Only then was a chipped piece of 11 tons discovered. 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 major monument in Moscow, installed on Red Square in front of St. Basil's Cathedral. Before that, temples, arches, etc. were opened in honor of important events. For the 200th anniversary of the Second Home Guard 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 the headman Kuzma Minin.
It was they who organized a rebuff 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 at a time, has become a real decoration of the square.
Arsenal
Between the Nikolskaya and Troitskaya towers, close to the Kremlin wall, there is a Tseikhgauz or Arsenal. This building, erected by decree of Peter I in 1736, was supposed to serve not only as a warehouse of weapons, but also as a museum in which military trophy banners, weapons and uniforms were exhibited. The two-story, trapezoid-shaped building with a large courtyard took over 30 years to build. In 1812 it was blown up. Reconstruction work was carried out until 1828. Now its facade is decorated with deep arched windows arranged in pairs and friezes.
A walk around the Kremlin and its environs: what to see and where to walk if you are in the capital for the first time.
Start your walk from Okhotny Ryad metro station. Come out on Manezhnaya Square.
Pay attention to the hotel Four Seasons, former hotel "Moscow". Below it is Museum of Archeology of Moscow.
On the other side of the square is the Manege, the building of which was built in 1817, on the fifth anniversary of the victory over Napoleon at the direction of Emperor Alexander I. In the Soviet years, it was used as a government garage.
The main dominants of the place are the red-brick building Historical Museum and Iversky (Resurrection) gates that connect Red Square with Manezhnaya. Here is the bronze sign of the zero kilometer. It was installed in 1995. Since then, this is one of the most popular places among tourists: coins are thrown here to return to Moscow again. Do not forget to make a wish: if you fall exactly into the circle, it will surely come true. However, this sign is nothing more than a tourist attraction: in fact, the zero kilometer is not here, but at Central Telegraph- in accordance with historical tradition.
The Historical Museum has a majestic Monument to Marshal Georgy Zhukov. It was installed in 1995, in honor of the 50th anniversary of victory in the Great Patriotic War.
Until the second half of the 19th century, Zemsky Prikaz, built at the end of the 16th century, was located on the site of the Historical Museum. Inside it were located the bodies of city government of Moscow. At the beginning of the 18th century, part of the premises was given to the main pharmacy of Moscow, in which there was a "pantry of medicinal herbs, a laboratory, a library, a room for a doctor and a pharmacist." And in 1755 Moscow University was opened in the town hall building. It occupied several floors of the Zemsky Prikaz until the construction of a separate complex of university buildings on Mokhovaya Street in 1793.
Another historical fact associated with the Zemsky order: during the time of Peter I, an austerium was attached to its wall - one of the first in Moscow. In these drinking establishments (in fact, clubs for foreigners and Russian nobility), everyone who read Moskovskie Vedomosti, the first Russian newspaper, was poured a free drink. So Peter I instilled the habit of reading newspapers.
The Resurrection Gates were erected in 1535 as the main gates of the wall of Kitai-Gorod, the second Moscow fortress after the Kremlin, and got their name from the nearby Resurrection Monastery. In the 1930s, the gates were demolished because they interfered with military parades, and in the 1990s they were restored according to old drawings. Next to them is Chapel of the Iberian Icon of the Mother of God, which gave the gate a second name.
To the left of the gate is branch of the Historical Museum. This building housed the City Duma - from 1892 to 1917, and in the Soviet years - the Museum of Vladimir Ilyich Lenin.
Next, take a walk through the Alexander Garden. It was broken in the first quarter of the 19th century according to the design of the architect Osip Bove. Previously, in its place was the Neglinnaya River, now hidden in a pipe. It was here that Bulgakov's Margarita first met Azazello.
garden divides Trinity bridge, which leads to the Kremlin tower of the same name. It is considered the oldest in Moscow: the bridge was built in 1516 - and has been rebuilt more than once since then.
As you walk, pay attention to Grotto "Ruins". This is a reminder of the war of 1812: it is lined with fragments of Moscow buildings destroyed by Napoleon's army. Located next to the grotto memorial Complex with the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and the Eternal Flame. Once per hour for Post #1 hundreds of tourists gather to watch the solemn changing of the guard. The change of sentries takes place every hour - regardless of the time of year and weather conditions.
