Who was the architect of the white stone Kremlin. Moscow Kremlin: towers and cathedrals. History and architecture of the Kremlin

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, Chamber of Facets, Terem Palace, Arsenal, Armory, Tsar Cannon, Tsar Bell
Coordinates: 55°45"03.0"N 37°36"59.3"E
Object of cultural heritage of the Russian Federation

In the very heart of Moscow, on Borovitsky Hill, the majestic ensemble of the Kremlin rises. It has long become not only a symbol of the capital, but of the whole of Russia. History itself ordered that the ordinary village of Krivichi, spread out in the middle of the wilderness, eventually turned into the capital of a mighty Russian state.

Kremlin from a bird's eye view

The Kremlin or citadel in ancient Rus' was called 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 a 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 the Mother of God.

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 been nicknamed "White-Stone Moscow". Large-scale construction unfolded 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.

For the construction of fortifications, Ivan III invited architects from Milan. 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 form of a "dovetail" - 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

Spasskaya, created by the Italian architect Pietro Antonio Solari, is rightfully considered the main of the 20 towers of the Moscow Kremlin. The Spassky Gate has long been the main entrance to the Kremlin, and the chimes placed in the tent of the tower 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 more and more calls to remove the star and hoist a double-headed eagle in its place. The tower got its name from the over-gate icon of the Savior of Smolensk.

View of the Kremlin from the Bolshoi Moskvoretsky Bridge

The icon was revered as a saint, so the men, passing through the gate, in front of the image of the Savior had to take off their headdress. The legend says that when Napoleon was passing through the Spassky Gates, a gust of wind tore off his cocked hat from his head. But the bad omens did not end there: the French tried to steal the gilded riza 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 Mother of God, Patriarch Kirill solemnly consecrated the newly found icon over 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 sovereign's unlimited power, but also a place about which legends were composed. Behind long history so many legends were created about the Kremlin temples and towers 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, the interior of temples and long galleries. To date, some of them are flooded with groundwater.

Eternal flame near the walls of the Kremlin

There are rumors among Muscovites that branched underground passages used to lead out from each of the Kremlin towers. The same secret passages connected everything royal palaces. When builders set out to dig a large foundation pit for the State Kremlin Palace in the 1960s, they discovered three underground passages built in the 16th century. The dungeons were so wide that a cart could be driven through them.

Underground passages were found during every major reconstruction. Most often, voids, dips 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 associated with its dungeons. For several centuries, 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 Paleolog, 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

Finding books in vaults located underground was not an accident. When Sophia Paleolog 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 die in a fire, Sophia ordered to equip a spacious basement for storage, which was located under the Kremlin Church of the Nativity of the Virgin. After that, valuable Liberia was always kept in the dungeons.

View of Cathedral Square and Ivan the Great Bell Tower

Cathedrals of the Moscow Kremlin - "altars of Russia"

Today the Moscow Kremlin is both the place of work of the President of the Russian Federation and a historical and cultural museum. The historical center of the Kremlin is represented by Cathedral Square with three cathedrals- Uspensky, Arkhangelsk and Blagoveshchensk. An old proverb says: "The Kremlin rises above Moscow, and above the Kremlin - only the sky." That is why all the people honored the decrees of the king, which he proclaimed in the Assumption Cathedral.

This temple can rightfully be called the "altar of Russia." In the Assumption Cathedral of the Kremlin, the tsars were crowned kings, the next head of the Russian church was elected, and the relics of Moscow saints found eternal rest in the tombs of the temple. The Archangel Cathedral, starting from 1340 and up to the 18th century, served as the burial place of Moscow princes and tsars.

Archangel Cathedral of the Moscow Kremlin

Under its vaults, tombstones are installed in a strict order on white stone slabs. The Annunciation Cathedral was the personal prayer house of the Moscow princes: here they were baptized, confessed, married. According to legend, the grand ducal treasury was kept in the basement of this temple. Cathedral Square is surrounded by the Ivan the Great Bell Tower, Faceted and Patriarch's Chambers. Meetings of the Boyar Duma and Zemsky Sobors were held in the Palace of Facets, 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 middle of the 19th century by order of Emperor Nicholas I. Today, the main residence of the President of Russia is located within its walls.

The architecture of the Moscow Kremlin allows you to get a complete picture of how the center was originally arranged Russian capital. includes temples, squares, chambers, buildings. Today, all these are sights, which guests and tourists come to see from all over Russia and from abroad.

Kremlin construction

The architecture of the Moscow Kremlin was formed at the end of the 15th century. The main towers and walls were built in 1485-1495. Red brick was used and White stone in lime mortar. It is worth noting that local craftsmen were not sufficiently qualified for such work. Therefore, foreign experts were invited. Ivan III hired architects from Italy to build the Moscow Kremlin.

However, some towers were nevertheless erected by Russian masters. The fact is that their shape resembles characteristic wooden structures. As you know, at that time carpentry in Rus' reached its perfection, which was facilitated by the universal material itself, and work was constantly required, since periodically large fires destroyed all buildings. To avoid this, stone was used in the construction of the Moscow Kremlin.

Assumption Cathedral

One of the main buildings of this architectural ensemble is the Assumption Cathedral. It was erected on the site of the first stone cathedral in Ivan Kalita in the first half of the 14th century. The architecture of the Moscow Kremlin is largely determined by this building.

The cathedral began to be erected in 1475. The sample was similar place of worship in Vladimir in the 12th century. Thus, the continuity of Moscow in relation to Vladimir, which was previously considered one of the main cities of Rus', was once again emphasized.

For the next 400 years it was the main temple in Rus'. It was here that all the rulers were crowned to the kingdom. Main entrance located on the side Cathedral Square. The entrance to this Kremlin is, as it were, guarded by the Archangel Michael, whose figure is depicted above the arch. Still higher is the Virgin and Child.

The iconostasis, which we can see today in the Assumption Cathedral, was completed by the icon painters of the Trinity-Sergius Lavra in the middle of the 17th century.

During the Patriotic War of 1812, the buildings of the Moscow Kremlin were looted and devastated. This cathedral was no exception. Part of the loot from the French was later recaptured by the Russian Cossacks.

Blagoveshchensky cathedral

The architecture of the Moscow Kremlin cannot be imagined without the Cathedral of the Annunciation. It is located in the southwestern part of Cathedral Square. It was built at the end of the 15th century. The work was carried out by Pskov masters.

During the reign of Ivan the Terrible, a porch with a high porch made of white stone was added.

This temple of the Moscow Kremlin was built in the traditions of early Moscow architecture. Today, the murals of the cathedral, which appeared at the beginning of the 16th century, are of great interest. The main merit belongs to the artel of artists, which was led by Theodosius and his son Dionysius. Lots of stories about the Apocalypse. You can also find secular motifs. For example, Russian princes and Byzantine emperors.

The floor of this cathedral is unique. It was laid out with a special tile of precious agate jasper.

Cathedral of the Archangel

This cathedral within the walls of the Moscow Kremlin appeared at the beginning of the 16th century. It was erected by the invited Italian architect Aleviz Novy. At the same time, he followed the traditions of Russian architecture. The features of the Italian Renaissance are visible only in the rich decoration of the temple.

Its construction was carried out on the site of the ancient Archangel Cathedral, which was erected by Ivan Kalita in the 14th century, in memory of the deliverance of the capital from general famine. It was dismantled due to tightness, making room for a more spacious temple.

The cathedral is crowned with five domes. The central one is gilded, and the side ones are simply painted with silver paint. Carved white stone portals are made in the style of the Italian Renaissance.

During the capture of the capital by Napoleon, a wine warehouse was located here. The French set up a kitchen on the altar, and stole all the valuables.

Church of the Deposition of the Robe

The small church, built by domestic craftsmen at the end of the 15th century, is also noteworthy. She appeared in place of the old wooden church Robe arrangement, which was built after the Tatars retreated from Moscow.

In 1451, they came close to the city, but did not storm it, but retreated, leaving behind all the loot. The Orthodox Church gave this a religious significance, considering it a miracle. In reality, the Tatars retreated due to political differences between the military leaders.

The new church was seriously damaged by fire in 1737. It was restored by the architect Michurin.

Armouries

The chambers of the Moscow Kremlin today are of great interest to tourists. The first mention of the valuables that are today in the Armory can be found in 1339. Even during the time of Ivan Kalita, the formation of princely treasures began. Among them were jewelry, dishes, church vessels, expensive clothes and weapons.

At the end of the 15th century, one of the centers of Russian art crafts was located here. In addition, gifts from foreign embassies were brought here. Pearls, ceremonial horse harness.

By 1485, the treasury had grown so much that it was decided to build a separate two-story stone building between the Cathedral of the Annunciation and the Archangel. It was called the Treasury.

Faceted Chamber

The Faceted Chamber of the Moscow Kremlin is one of the few parts of the palace that have been preserved since the time of Ivan III. This was his grand throne room. This is the oldest civil stone building in Moscow.

It was built in 4 years masters with the help of invited Italians - Pietro Solari and Marco Ruffo.

The chamber is a square hall in which they rely on a pillar in the center of the room. The hall, 9 meters high, is illuminated by well-placed 18 windows, as well as by four massive chandeliers. total area The Faceted Chamber of the Moscow Kremlin is almost 500 square meters.

At the end of the 16th century, its walls were painted with church and biblical scenes. For centuries, the most important events in the history of the Russian state were celebrated here. Foreign embassies and delegations were received here, the Zemsky Sobor met. The victories of Russian weapons were regularly celebrated in the Palace of Facets. For example, Ivan the Terrible and Peter I celebrated the victory at Poltava over the Swedes.

Red Square

The Red Square of the Moscow Kremlin appeared in the 15th century. Today it is one of the symbols not only of the capital, but also of the country, its calling card.

It was laid by Ivan III, who ordered to demolish all the wooden buildings around the Kremlin. Since they seriously threatened him with a fire. This place, by his order, was taken under trade. Therefore, Red Square was originally called Torg. True, this did not last long.

Already in the 16th century it was renamed Troitskaya. Due to the nearby Church of the Holy Trinity. Later, St. Basil's Cathedral appeared in its place. Judging by the documents, in the 17th century the square was called Pozhar. At the same time, one should not forget an interesting toponymic feature Ancient Rus'. At that time, the same object could have several official names at the same time.

Red Square officially became known as such only in the 19th century. Although in some documents this name is found as early as the 17th century. The meaning of this name, according to Vladimir Dahl's dictionary, is that our ancestors used the word "red" to mean beautiful, excellent.

Over the centuries, on the example of Red Square, one can trace how the Moscow Kremlin has changed. In the 15th century, there appeared famous towers- Senate, Spasskaya and Nikolskaya. In the XVI century St. Basil's Cathedral and the Place of execution. In the 19th century - the Historical Museum, the Upper Trading Rows, which are now called GUM, a monument to Minin and Pozharsky. The 20th century brought the Mausoleum and the necropolis near the Kremlin wall to Red Square.

St Basil's Church

This temple was built in the middle of the 16th century. It was erected in honor of the capture of Kazan by Russian troops. The building is a grandiose structure of 9 pillars that rise above the basement, connected by a gallery. The composition is united by a central pillar, which is crowned with tents with a decorative cupola at the top. Many specially come to Moscow to see this temple with their own eyes.

The central tent is surrounded by eight pillars. All the others end with onion-shaped heads.

From the side of the Spasskaya Tower, two porches lead to the terrace of the temple. From there you can get to the bypass gallery. Tourists and residents of the capital are still impressed by the coloring of the temple, even though it was made several centuries ago. St. Basil's Cathedral was painted by real masters. They used exclusively natural colors in combination with white stone and red brick. Of the latter, the smallest details are made. The bright painting was made in the 17th century. When later extensions appeared, they placed a bell tower and a chapel of the temple in the northeast. The names of the architects who built this iconic religious building have come down to our time. Their names were Posnik and Barma.

The Kremlin wall is a brick wall surrounding the Moscow Kremlin. It was erected on the site of the white stone wall of Dmitry Donskoy in 1485-1516 by Italian (“Fryazhsky”) architects. The total length of the walls is 2235 m, the height is from 5 to 19 m, and the thickness is from 3.5 to 6.5 m. In plan, the walls form an irregular triangle.

The top of the wall, according to the Lombard tradition, is decorated with battlements in the form of a dovetail, there are 1045 teeth in total along the top of the wall. Most of the battlements have slit-like loopholes. There are wide embrasures covered with arches in the walls. From the outside, the walls are smooth, from the inside they are decorated with arched niches - a traditional technique designed to facilitate and strengthen the structure of the structure.

The existing walls and towers were built in 1485-1516. The total length of the walls is 2235 m, the height is from 5 to 19 m, the thickness is from 3.5 to 6.5 m.

In plan, the walls form an irregular triangle. The top of the wall is decorated with battlements in the form of a dovetail, there are 1045 teeth in total along the top of the wall. Most of the battlements have slit-like loopholes. There are wide embrasures covered with arches in the walls. From the outside, the walls are smooth, from the inside they are decorated with arched niches - a traditional technique designed to facilitate and strengthen the structure of the structure.

Kivshenko Alexey D. (1851-96). Ivan the Great

Under Ivan III and his successor Vasily III, the construction of the Kremlin walls was headed by architects Anton Fryazin, Marko Fryazin, Pietro Antonio Solari and Aleviz Fryazin Stary.

Moscow Kremlin at the beginning of the 17th century.

Brick walls were placed along the line of white stone, with a small digression out. Starting from the Spasskaya Tower, the territory of the Kremlin was enlarged in an easterly direction. Approximately 20 years after the construction of the Kremlin wall, the Kitai-Gorod wall was added to it, embracing the entire Kitai-Gorod.

For the construction of walls and towers, large (30x14x17 cm or 31x15x9 cm) bricks weighing up to 8 kg each were used. The front walls were laid out of brick, which were filled with white stone. The highest walls were erected along Red Square, where there was no natural water barrier.

Fedor Alekseev. View of the Kremlin at the Spassky Gates. Around 1800
Initially, inside the wall through all the towers there was a through passage, covered with barrel vaults. Most of the passage was eventually covered with construction debris, the section between the Konstantin-Eleninskaya and Nabatnaya towers has been preserved. There were also caches and passages under the walls, in some cases going far beyond the line of fortifications.

View of Zamoskvorechie from behind the wall in 1848

At the beginning of the 18th century, the Neglinnaya River was diverted further from the western wall, along which it originally flowed.

At the same time, the originally existing plank roofs of the walls burned down. In 1702-1736, for the construction of the arsenal building, part of the wall was dismantled, later restored.

Modern chimes were made by the brothers Nikolai and Ivan Budenop in 1851-1852 and installed on 8-10 tiers of the Spasskaya Tower. From that time on, the chimes performed at 12 and 6 o’clock the “March of the Preobrazhensky Regiment”, and at 3 and 9 o’clock the anthem “How glorious is our Lord in Zion” by Dmitry Bortnyansky, which sounded over Red Square until 1917. Initially, they wanted to dial the Russian anthem “God Save the Tsar” on the playing shaft of the chimes, but Nicholas I did not allow this, saying that “the chimes can play any song except the anthem.”

In 1771-1773, for the construction of the Kremlin Palace according to the project of V.I. Bazhenov, a part of the southern wall between the Beklemishevskaya and Annunciation towers was also dismantled, which was later restored. Undermining the Kremlin by the French (1812) caused heavy damage to the walls, especially the walls along the Neglinnaya. Repair and restoration of the fortifications were carried out from 1817 to 1822.

In 1866-1870, the walls and towers of the Kremlin were restored by architects N. A. Shokhin, P. A. Gerasimov, F. F. Richter, who sought to give the buildings their original appearance. However, many authentic details were then lost and replaced by inaccurate copies.

Examination and partial restoration of the walls were carried out in 1931-1936. The next restoration of the walls and towers of the Kremlin took place in 1946-1953. In its course, the walls were cleaned and repaired, loopholes and parapets were restored. The restoration commission included prominent scientists and restorers: I. E. Grabar, V. N. Lazarev, M. V. Alpatov, P. D. Korin, D. P. Sukhov and others

"Inconsistency" of the Kremlin wall. 2012

"Inconsistency" of the Kremlin wall between the Annunciation (far) and Taynitskaya (near) towers. 2012

The Kremlin wall between the Annunciation and Taynitskaya towers has a vertical ledge and a reduced pitch of two teeth, as if during construction from different sides they made a mistake in joining. This "mistake" divides the wall between the towers in an approximate ratio of 1 to 2, counting from Blagoveshchenskaya.

The northeast section of the wall facing northern part Red Square, serves as a columbarium for urns with the ashes of leaders of the communist movement and the Soviet state. Many of them are also buried in the ground along this section of the wall. In the post-Soviet period, the question of the need to transfer the necropolis to another place for political, religious and other reasons was repeatedly raised.

The Moscow Kremlin has 20 towers. Three towers (Beklemishevskaya, Vodovzvodnaya and Angular Arsenalnaya), standing at the corners of the triangle, have a round section, the rest are square.
Most of the towers are made in a single architectural style given to them in the second half of the 17th century. The Nikolskaya Tower stands out from the general ensemble, which was rebuilt in the Gothic style at the beginning of the 19th century.

The list is compiled, starting from the southeast corner of the Kremlin wall, counterclockwise.
3 towers, standing in the corners of the triangle, have a circular section, the rest are square. The most high tower- Troitskaya, it has a height of 79.3 m.
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For the construction of walls and towers, large (30x14x17 cm or 31x15x9 cm) bricks weighing up to 8 kg each were used. The front walls were laid out of brick, which were filled with white stone. The highest walls were erected along Red Square, where there was no natural water barrier.

Spasskaya, Nabatnaya, Konstantin-Eleninskaya, Troitskaya, Borovitskaya, Annunciation and Petrovskaya towers had shoots on the walls. Initially, inside the wall through all the towers there was a through passage, covered with barrel vaults. Most of the passage was eventually covered with construction waste, the section between the Konstantin-Eleninskaya and Nabatnaya towers has been preserved. There were also caches and passages under the walls, in some cases going far beyond the line of fortifications.

At the beginning of the 18th century, Neglinnaya was moved away from the walls. To install new guns on the towers, loopholes were cut. At the same time, the originally existing plank roofs of the walls burned down.

In 1702-1736, for the construction of the Arsenal, part of the wall was dismantled, later restored. In 1771-1773, for the construction of the Kremlin Palace according to the project of V.I. Bazhenov, a part of the southern wall between the Beklemishevskaya and Annunciation towers was also dismantled, which was later restored.

Hem of the Moscow Kremlin in the 17th century Painting by Sergei Glushkov

In 1802-1805, the towers were overhauled, during which almost all the outlet archers were dismantled. The war of 1812 inflicted heavy damage on the walls, especially the Nikolskaya Tower, towers and walls along the Neglinnaya. Repair and restoration of fortifications were carried out from 1817 to 1822. During the repair work, pseudo-Gothic decor details were added to the external appearance of the Borovitskaya and Vodovzvodnaya towers.

In 1866-1870, the walls and towers of the Kremlin were restored by the architects N. A. Shokhin, P. A. Gerasimov, F. F. Richter, who sought to give the buildings their original appearance. During the restoration process, pseudo-Gothic decorative details disappeared from the Borovitskaya Tower, however, many elements of the original details of the walls and towers of the Kremlin were lost and replaced with inaccurate copies. Damage to the towers and walls was caused during the alterations of the second half of the 19th century in the course of adapting their premises for household needs.

The Nikolskaya and Beklemishevskaya towers, which suffered during the revolution, were repaired in 1918. Examination and partial restoration of the walls were carried out in 1931-1936. In 1935-1937 ruby ​​five-pointed stars were installed on five towers.

This is how the Kremlin found Napoleon

The next restoration of the walls and towers of the Kremlin was carried out in 1946-1953, during which the walls were cleaned and repaired, loopholes and parapets were restored, details on a number of towers were revealed, the tops of the Spasskaya, Troitskaya and Nikolskaya towers were upholstered with sheet copper. The restoration commission included prominent scientists and restorers: I. E. Grabar, V. N. Lazarev, M. V. Alpatov, P. D. Korin, D. P. Sukhov and others.

Beklimishevskaya

Also known as Moskvoretskaya, the tower of the Moscow Kremlin wall. It is located in the southeastern corner of the Kremlin triangle, near the Moskva River and the Moskvoretsky Bridge. The name comes from the court of the boyar I.N. Beklemishev, which was located inside the Kremlin near the tower. After the execution of Beklemishev by Vasily III, the courtyard, together with the tower, was used as a prison for disgraced boyars. Located near the junction of the Moskva River with the moat, the tower performed an important defensive function, covering, among other things, the ford and the crossing over the Moskva River.

The high round tower was built in 1487-1488 by the Italian architect Marco Ruffo. The main cylinder is located on a white stone plinth with a semicircular ridge at the junction.

The tower has four tiers with the possibility of all-round firing: three tiers of round vaulted rooms and the upper tier, where the machicules and the battlefield are located. A well and a hiding place were built in the tower to prevent undermining. In 1680, an octagon with a narrow tent and two rows of eaves was built over the main cylinder. The tent of the tower has no internal ceilings.

Under Peter I in 1707, the tower was converted for defense against the Swedes. In particular, the loopholes of the tower were hewn to install more powerful guns in them (restored in their original form during the restoration in 1949).

View of the Beklemishevskaya (Moskvoretskaya) Tower 1890-1900

The Beklemishevskaya Tower is one of the few towers in the Kremlin that have hardly been rebuilt. After the invasion of Napoleon, the Beklemishevskaya tower was repaired. Also, during the storming of the Kremlin by the Bolsheviks in 1917, the upper tent was shot down by a shell (in 1920 it was restored by the architect I.V. Rylsky).
Eastern wall The eastern wall of the Kremlin runs along Red Square

Konstantin-Eleninskaya Tower

Previously, Timofeevskaya is a tower of the wall of the Moscow Kremlin. It is located on the eastern side of the Kremlin, above the Beklemishevskaya tower.

The tower was built in 1490 by the Italian architect Pietro Antonio Solari (Peter Fryazin) on the site of the Timofeevsky Gates of the white-stone Kremlin of Dmitry Donskoy. The tower received its modern name after the construction of the Church of Constantine and Helena nearby in the Kremlin in the 17th century (the church was dismantled in 1928).

Moscow dungeon. The end of the 16th century (Konstantin-Eleninsky gates of the Moscow dungeon at the turn of the 16th and 17th centuries)

The tower was designed to protect the entrances to the pier on the Moskva River and the nearby streets of Veliky Posad, going towards Zaryadye: Vsekhsvyatskaya (now Varvarka) and Velikaya (which later became Mokrinsky Lane, and now completely disappeared). Initially, the Konstantin-Eleninskaya tower was a travel tower, with a drawbridge across the moat and a diversion archer (an additional tower connected to the main bridge). After 1508, the second diversion archer was completed.

In the 1680s, an arched quadrangle with a slender hipped top was built over the main square quadrangle. After the loss of its significance by the Great Street at the end of the 17th century, the gates were closed, and the diversion archer and the lower tier of the tower were turned into a prison. In 1707, the loopholes of the Konstantin-Eleninskaya Tower were hewn for more powerful cannons. In the 18th century, the diversion archers and the bridge were demolished.

Constantino-Eleninskaya tower 1882-1996 photographer Barshchevsky I.F.

The arch of the gates, partially covered by late layers, is still clearly visible on the facade of the tower from the side of Vasilyevsky Spusk, as well as the recess for the gate icon and traces of vertical slots for the levers of the drawbridge.

On the upper platform of the main quadrangle there are machicolations, inside it is divided into two tiers, covered with brick vaults. The first tier was previously used for travel, and the second was used for office space. The ascent to the upper platform of the tower is along a narrow staircase located in the thickness of the wall.

Konstantin-Eleninskaya tower from the Kremlin wall

The tower was restored in the 1950s and 1970s.
Through the Timofeevsky Gates, located in ancient times on the site of the Konstantin-Eleninskaya Tower, Dmitry Donskoy

alarm tower

The alarm tower is a tower of the wall of the Moscow Kremlin. It is located on the slope of the Kremlin hill opposite St. Basil's Cathedral. The name comes from the Spassky alarm bell hanging on it, which served as a fire alarm.

This tower, which has preserved its ancient forms, was built in 1495. The main quadruple ends with machicolations with a parapet. Its interior consists of two tiers: the lower one with a flat ceiling and numerous rooms, with stairs and openings providing access to the walls, and the upper one with a closed vault.

Nabatnaya tower of the Moscow Kremlin. 1882-1896

In 1680, an upper arched quarter and a tent with an observation tower were added to the tower. The chetverik is open into the cavity of the tent. The details and decoration of the upper quadrangle and the tent (brick semi-columns of the quadrangle and observation tower with white stone capitals and corbels) resemble the completion of the Arsenal tower.
In total, there were three alarm bells in the Kremlin: Spassky (on the Nabatnaya Tower), Trinity and Tainitsky.

By decree of Alexei Mikhailovich of 1668, alarm signals were regulated:
. in the event of a fire in the Kremlin, “sound all three alarms in both directions, as soon as possible”
. in case of a fire in Kitay-Gorod, "to sound one Spassky alarm in one region, soon"
. in case of a fire in the White City - “beat Spassky in both directions and on the alarm, which is quieter on the Trinity Bridge in both directions”
. in case of a fire in Earthen City, sound the alarm on the Tainitskaya tower with a “quiet custom”
In 1771, during the Plague Riot, the rebels struck the Spassky alarm and thus gathered the Muscovites to the Kremlin. At the end of the rebellion, Catherine II ordered to remove the tongue from the bell. For over 30 years, the bell hung on the tower without a tongue. In 1803, the bell was moved to the Arsenal, and in 1821 to the Armory, where it still hangs in the vestibule.
The inscriptions on the bell say: “On July 6, 1714, this alarm bell was poured out of the old alarm bell of which the Kremlin of the city was smashed to the Spassky Gates. It weighs 150 pounds”, “Lil this bell master Ivan Motorin”.
In the 1970s, the Nabatnaya Tower began to lean due to the loss of soil density and a cracked foundation. After screeding the base of the tower with metal hoops and strengthening the soil, the roll was stopped. However, the tower still deviates from the vertical by one meter.
Royal Tower

The Tsarskaya Tower is the youngest and smallest tower of the Moscow Kremlin, built in 1680.
Strictly speaking, this is not a tower, but a stone tower, a tent placed on the wall. Once upon a time there was a small wooden turret from which, according to legend, Tsar Ivan IV (the Terrible) liked to watch the events taking place on Red Square - hence the name of the tower.
White-stone belts on pillars, high pyramids at the corners with gilded flags, a tent ending with a graceful gilded weather vane - all this gives the tower the look of a fabulous tower

A small turret was placed right on the wall in the 80s of the 17th century (that is, almost two centuries later than the rest of the towers) between the Spasskaya and Nabatnaya towers of the Kremlin. Its octagonal tent on pitcher-shaped pillars resembles the lockers of the porches of stone residential choirs common at that time.

The name of the tower is associated with a legend according to which it served as a kind of canopy over the royal throne, from where the sovereign of all Rus' could observe the events taking place on Red Square from the walls of the Kremlin (hence the name of the tower).

Senate Tower

The Senate Tower is one of the towers of the Moscow Kremlin wall. It is located on the eastern side of the Kremlin between the Spasskaya and Nikolskaya towers.

Built in 1491 by the architect Pietro Antonio Solari. The tower received its name after the completion of construction on the territory of the Kremlin in 1787 of the Senate Palace. Until that time, it had no special name. In 1680 the tower was built on stone tent ending with a golden weather vane. Inside the tower has three tiers of vaulted rooms. Tower height 34 meters

In 1918, a plaque made by the sculptor S.T. Konenkov “To those who fell for peace and the brotherhood of peoples” was installed on the tower. In the 1920s, the board was removed and transferred to the Russian Museum. In 1924, Lenin's Mausoleum was built in front of the tower on Red Square. In 1948, a passage was made from the tower to the Mausoleum, so that members of the Central Committee of the CPSU could enter the stands directly from the Kremlin, bypassing Red Square.
NIKOLSKY TOWER

Gate icon of St. Nicholas of Mozhaisk

Built in 1491 by the Italian architect Pietro Antonio Solari. It is most likely that the tower got its name from the icon of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker, located on the eastern facade. A number of researchers believe that the tower was named after the monastery of St. Nicholas the Old, located nearby on ancient Nikolskaya Street.

Nikolsky gates of the Kremlin and Alevizov ditch. Alekseev, students. 1800s.

In 1612, it was through the gates of the Nikolskaya and Spasskaya towers that the people's militia, led by Prince Dmitry Pozharsky and Kuzma Minin, solemnly entered the Kremlin on November 1 (on October 27, an agreement was signed on the surrender of the Polish garrison). In ancient times, a clock was placed on the tower, the last mention of which dates back to 1614.

In a fire in 1737, the Nikolskaya Tower burned down and, after restoration under the leadership of I.F. Michurin, acquired a baroque decor, like the original design of the Arsenal. By 1780 the tower was built on. I. Blank round top with a low tent.

In 1805-1806 the tower was overhauled by the architect A. I. Ruska, together with A.N. Bakarev: the former superstructure over the quadruple was replaced by a gothic octagon with a high white stone tent and openwork decorations. The Gothic appearance is the main difference between the Nikolskaya Tower and other towers of the Kremlin.

In 1812, the Nikolskaya Tower was damaged during an explosion by the French leaving Moscow, the Arsenal: the tent collapsed, part of the gate was damaged, but part of the quadrangle with the gate icon of St. Nicholas of Mozhaisky was not touched

Nikolskaya tower, 1883

The news of the miracle soon reached the emperor. Arriving in Moscow, Alexander I was personally convinced of the safety of the icon and ordered, first of all, to restore the tower, and hang a marble plaque under the icon, the words for which he wrote himself: but by the miraculous power of God, St. the image of the great saint of God, St. Nicholas, here inscribed on the stone itself, and not only the image itself, but also the very glass that covered it, the lantern with the candle remained unharmed. Who is a great God, like our God! You are God, work miracles: God is marvelous in his saints.

The tower was restored in 1816-1819 according to the project of the architect Osip Ivanovich Bove. During the restoration, some changes were made, both in the design and architecture of the tower.
At the suggestion of the architect F. K. Sokolov, the white-stone tent was replaced with an iron one on the frame, and four white-stone phiale towers were installed at the corners of the quadrangle to complement the Gothic look. The architect V.A. Bakarev participated in the restoration of the tower. The tower was painted white.

Near the Nikolsky Gates there were single-domed chapels. On the left was the chapel of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker, on the right - the chapel of Alexander Nevsky. Initially wooden, then stone chapels were repeatedly rebuilt, last time in 1883. The chapels belonged to the Kazan Cathedral.

The destruction of the Kremlin in 1812. Nikolskaya tower, ruins of Arsenal, Arsenal tower

The duties of the abbots of the chapels included caring for the inextinguishable lamp near the gate icon of St. Nicholas of Mozhaisky. Above the entrances to the chapels was the image of the Kazan Icon Mother of God. Both chapels were demolished in 1925.

Watercolor.I.A.Weiss. 1852

At the end of October 1917, the tower and the gate were badly damaged as a result of artillery shelling, restored in 1918 by the architect N. V. Markovnikov. During the restoration of 1918, it was repainted from white to the general brick color of the Kremlin wall.

The marble plaque with the words of Alexander I was dismantled. On October 26, 1935, a semi-precious star was installed over the tent of the Nikolskaya Tower instead of the double-headed eagle. In 1937, the semi-precious star was replaced by the modern ruby ​​one. The star of the Nikolskaya Tower has the most a large number of faces per beam - 12.

Nikolsky Gate, November 1917

During the restoration of the tower in 1919, renovations were removed from the gate image to the most ancient drawing and traces of bullets and shrapnel were repaired. In 1920-1922, at the initiative of the Restoration Department, the later paintings of angels on the sides of the central image were eliminated; the fresco of Nikolai Mozhaisky, as indicated in 1925 in one of the documents, “is only partially preserved”

Until 2010, the icon above the gate was considered lost.
.
On May 11, 2010, Vladimir Yakunin, Chairman of the Foundation of St. Andrew the First-Called, reported the discovery of ancient icons on the Spasskaya and Nikolskaya towers of the Kremlin, hidden by plaster in their icon cases in Soviet times

On July 5, 2010, restoration work began on the Nikolskaya Tower. In the future, to protect the over-gate icon from rain, snow and other negative influences, it is planned to make glazing with a natural ventilation system or an icon case.
On October 28, 2010, the restoration work was finally completed.

Corner Arsenal Tower

The Corner Arsenal Tower (Sobakina) is the most powerful tower of the Moscow Kremlin. She completed the defense line from Red Square and controlled the crossing across the Neglinnaya River to Torg

It was erected in 1492 by the Italian architect Pietro Antonio Solari (circa 1450-1493). From the moment of construction, for a long time the tower was called Sobakina after the courtyard of the Sobakin boyars nearby; modern name received after the construction of the Arsenal building in the 18th century. Originally, the Dog Tower was the tallest tower in the Kremlin.

In the past, it performed not only defense functions. There was a dug-out well in the tower, which, in case of a siege, could be used by the garrison of the fortress. From the Corner Arsenal Tower there was a secret passage to the Neglinnaya River, and its sixteen-sided volume had seven rows of loopholes; the passage and loopholes were probably laid in the 1670s-1680s during the construction of a plinth expanding downwards, attached in a semicircle to the original wall

In 1672-1686, an octagonal tent was erected over the tower on a stepped base, which ended with an openwork octagon with a tent and a weather vane. In 1707, Peter I, in the course of preparing Moscow for defense against the Swedes, gave the order to spread the five tiers of tower loopholes remaining unlaid for the installation of artillery.

In 1812, during the explosion of the Arsenal by the French troops, cracks formed in the walls of the tower and the watchtower collapsed.

Soon the tower was restored in its former form by the architect O. I. Bove. In 1894, the tower was repaired, the interiors were altered and it was adapted to accommodate the Moscow Provincial Archive. In the 1948-1950s, during the restoration of the towers, embrasures located on six levels were restored to their original forms.

Middle Arsenal Tower

The Middle Arsenalnaya Tower is a tower of the Moscow Kremlin, located on the northwestern side of the Kremlin wall, stretching along the Alexander Garden.

The tower was built in 1493-1495 on the northwestern side of the Kremlin wall, on the site of the corner tower of the time of Dmitry Donskoy. In the 15th-16th centuries, there were dams near the tower on the Neglinnaya River. In the 1680s, it was completed - an open quadrangle with a tetrahedral tent, finished with a through lookout tower with a tent.

The tower received its current name during the construction of the Arsenal building at the beginning of the 18th century. Previously, it was called Granena - from the facade dissected on the verge. In 1821, during the laying out of the Alexander Garden at the foot of the tower, a pleasure grotto was built according to the project of O. I. Bove.

Kremlin in the morning
2007

Used photos by Ilya Varlamov "Walks along the Kremlin wall", Wikimedia
(To be continued)

How to get to the Kremlin: Art. Metro Aleksandrovsky Sad, Borovitskaya, Teatralnaya.

The first settlements on the territory of the Kremlin

The Moscow Kremlin is located on Borovitsky Hill, which rises 25 meters above the adjacent territory, on the left bank of the Moscow River, at its confluence with the Neglinnaya River. In the old days, Borovitsky Hill was covered with forest, hence its name. The Kremlin in Moscow can be called both the progenitor and witness of the emergence of the city itself - it was on its territory that the first city buildings were located.

Scientists date the first traces of human presence on Borovitsky Hill to the end of the second millennium BC, and the next - to the 8-3 centuries BC. The settlement of that time presumably had defensive fortifications, in particular, two ravines could serve as them, one of which stretched to the Neglinnaya River in the area of ​​​​the Trinity Gates, and the second cut through the southern slope between the Petrovsky Tower and the 2nd Nameless Tower of the Kremlin.

A few centuries later, at the beginning of the 12th century, a settlement arose again on Borovitsky Hill, it was it that became the ancestor of the city of Moscow. The Vyatichi settlement occupied a large area and spread along Borovitsky Hill. Thus, two villages arose on the hill, each of which was protected by a ring fortification.

Kremlin in the period of Ancient Rus'

During this period, the Old Russian state consisted of several separate principalities. The most influential and extensive was the Rostov-Suzdal principality, whose capital from the second half of the 12th century was Vladimir. It was in the neighborhood of the western borders of this principality that the present city of Moscow began its existence.

The Ipatiev Chronicle says that in 1147 the Prince of Suzdal, Yuri Dolgoruky, invited the Novgorod-Seversky prince Svyatoslav, who was his ally, to Moscow. This was the first documentary mention of Moscow, and this date is considered the date of birth of Moscow as a city.

And according to the Tver Chronicle, the same Prince Yuri Dolgoruky in 1156 laid a new fortress called Moscow at the mouth of the Neglinnaya River, a little higher than the Yauza River. This fortress united two old defensive rings into one fortification, it occupied the territory between the current Borovitsky, Tainitsky and Trinity gates.

The length of the fortifications was 1200 meters, additionally the fortress was protected by an earthen rampart and a moat. In addition, the fortress walls were quite well fortified at the base both from the inside and outside. Along the foot of the walls in several rows lay logs fastened with peculiar brackets - transverse short logs with hook branches that held the structure.

In the 13th century, Moscow, like many Russian cities, was subjected to devastating raids by the hordes of Batu Khan, but, nevertheless, after some time began to revive. At this time, the first princely dynasty appeared in Moscow, founded by the youngest son of Alexander Nevsky, Daniel. The Tatar-Mongol yoke, despite its devastating consequences, could not completely destroy the Russian state. Russian princes continued to rule the Russian lands, but for this they had to receive special labels (letters) from the Horde for the right to own their territories. In 1319, Yuri Danilovich, the eldest son of Prince Daniel, received such a label for a great reign in Novgorod from the khan. He moved to Novgorod, and left Moscow to his brother Ivan.

Having received this important letter, Ivan Kalita did not move, according to tradition, to Vladimir, but remained in Moscow - this is what played an important role in the future fate of Moscow and the Moscow Kremlin. Following the Grand Duke, the head of the Russian church, Metropolitan Peter, also moved to Moscow.

The transformation of the Kremlin into the residence of the great Russian princes

From that moment on, the Kremlin ceased to be a defensive and fortifying structure, but turned into the residence of the Grand Duke and Metropolitan. If formerly territory The Kremlin was built up only with wooden structures, but now they began to build buildings of white stone here. In particular, on Borovitsky Hill, at its most elevated point, the Assumption Cathedral was built, which became the main temple of the Moscow principality. In 1329, the Church of St. John of the Ladder with a bell tower appeared, and in 1333, the Cathedral of the Archangel Michael was built. These first stone buildings and determined the architectural concept of the Kremlin in Moscow, which has been preserved in its general form to this day. During the reign of Ivan Kalita, Moscow was actively growing, and the territory of the Kremlin began to play the role of a separate central part of the city. This name itself - the Kremlin, appeared for the first time in the Resurrection Chronicle of 1331, which means it is the central fortified part of the city.

Before his death, Prince Ivan Kalita compiled a spiritual charter in which he bequeathed all the Moscow lands and symbols of the power of Rus' (gold chains and belts, as well as precious dishes, princely clothes) to his sons. Among the bequeathed treasures was the royal cap, perhaps it is now known as the Cap of Monomakh. This testament marked the beginning of the princely treasury in the Kremlin.

After the wooden buildings of the Kremlin were once again damaged by fire in 1365, the young Moscow prince Dmitry Donskoy ordered the construction of stone fortifications on Borovitsky Hill. For this purpose, during the winter of 1367, limestone was brought to Moscow from the village of Myachkovo, located 30 miles from the city. In the spring, construction began, as a result of which a white-stone fortress grew in the center of Moscow - the first in the territory of North-Eastern Rus'. At the same time, the territory of the Kremlin was enlarged at the expense of the hill and its hem. By the end of the 15th century, the architecture of the Kremlin acquired features characteristic of the capital city, and Moscow began to be perceived as the successor city of the ancient Russian cities: Kyiv and Vladimir.

When in 1453 the capital of Byzantium, Constantinople, was captured by the Turks, the role of the Orthodox capital passed to Moscow. In 1472, the niece of the last Byzantine emperor, Sophia Paleolog, married the Great Moscow Prince Ivan III. Since then, the coat of arms of Byzantium - the double-headed eagle - has become the coat of arms of Rus', and Moscow and the Moscow prince have gained great authority in the eyes of European rulers. Thus, Ivan III began to be perceived as the successor of the Byzantine dynasties.

Moscow had to be brought into line with the new status, and Ivan III invited famous Russian master builders, as well as architects from Italy, to the capital in order to begin the restructuring of the Kremlin, the residence of the sovereign of all Rus'. Grandiose construction began on the territory of the Kremlin.

Formation of the architectural ensemble of the Kremlin

In the period 1475-1479. under the leadership of the Italian architect Aristotle Fioravanti, a new Assumption Cathedral was built, which was considered the most important temple of the Russian state. Opposite the cathedral, at the other end of the square, the Italian Aleviz Novy erected the Cathedral of the Archangel Michael - the temple-tomb. In the western part of the Kremlin, the palace of the Grand Duke of Moscow was built, which included the Embankment Chamber, the Middle Golden Chamber, and the Great Faceted Chamber.

Somewhat later, in 1485-1489. on the southwestern side of the hill, the Annunciation Cathedral was built, and next to it, the Church of the Deposition of the Robe. These temples were built by an artel of Pskov craftsmen. Between the Archangel and Annunciation Cathedrals there is the Treasury - the main princely treasury.

The formation of the architectural ensemble of Cathedral Square was completed with the erection of the Ivan the Great Bell Tower. The bell tower was built somewhat later, in 1505-1508.

By tradition, all new churches were built on the site of their ancient predecessors, the very first churches that grew here during the time of Ivan Kalita and Dmitry Donskoy. The temples had the same names, all the relics and burials from the old temples were carefully transferred to them. The icon of the Mother of God of Vladimir, the most revered Russian shrine at that time, was transported to the Assumption Cathedral from Vladimir.

The final touch of the restructuring of the Kremlin was the construction of new walls and towers. The renovation and reconstruction of the Kremlin towers was carried out in several stages. The first to be built was the Tainitskaya Tower, which had a secret passage to the Moscow River; its architect was the Italian Anton Fryazin. Marco Fryazin - another Italian, became the author of the Beklemishevskaya Tower (now Moskvoretskaya). Then they built the Sviblova tower, which also had a secret passage to the river. In 1633, a machine for lifting water was installed in the Sviblova tower, and the tower was renamed Vodovzvodnaya. The Annunciation Tower was built in 1488. After it, the 1st and 2nd Unnamed towers, the Petrovskaya, Borovitskaya, Konstantin-Eleninskaya and Nabatnaya towers were erected. In order to more reliably strengthen the eastern part of the Kremlin, the Spassky Tower was built. This tower has a characteristic memorable silhouette and serves as a hallmark of the Moscow Kremlin. The tower was named after two icons: the Savior of Smolensk and the Savior Not Made by Hands. The Spassky entrance to the Kremlin was considered a holy gate. At the same time, the Nikolskaya Tower was built. Between Spasskaya and Nikolskaya, another one grew - a deaf tower, which later became known as the Senate. By the end of the 15th century, the Corner and Middle Arsenal towers were built, as well as the highest tower in the Kremlin - Troitskaya. In order to secure approaches to the Trinity Tower. The Kutafya tower is being built, and along the Neglinnaya river - the Commandant and Armory towers. The latest tower in the Kremlin appeared in 1680 - this is the Tsar's Tower.

Outwardly, the Kremlin fence began to resemble the Sforza castle in Milan or the Scaliger castle in Verona. Unlike these European castles, the Moscow Kremlin was designed not only to protect its masters and rulers. The Kremlin in Moscow, fortified in accordance with the latest achievements of fortification science of that time, was both a fortress that protected all the inhabitants of Moscow, and the spiritual center of the city and all of Rus'. Thus, the Kremlin began to be perceived by all Russian people as the center of state holiness. After all, it is on its territory that the most revered monasteries, temples, Orthodox shrines are located.

Kremlin during the reign of Ivan the Terrible

In the Assumption Cathedral, in 1547, the Grand Duke of Moscow Ivan IV (the Terrible) was proclaimed the first Russian autocrat. Metropolitan Macarius - the head of the Russian church - put the cap of Monomakh on his head and officially declared him king. After this event, ceremonial moments in the life of the ruler of the Russian state began to acquire special significance. In order to give more authority to the Muscovite kingdom and justify its chosenness, they began to canonize various Russian historical figures and ascetics in large numbers, which gave rise to the idea of ​​decorating the walls of cathedrals in the Kremlin with monumental murals.

After the Kazan and Astrakhan khanates were conquered as a result of military campaigns, the authority Russian state and its ruler has risen even more. It was to these significant events that the construction of the Cathedral of the Intercession of the Mother of God, also known as St. Basil's Cathedral, was dedicated. The cathedral was built during 1555-1562. outside the Kremlin - this emphasized its special significance. It was in this place, not far from the Spassky Gates, that a new center of Moscow public life was gradually formed - Red Square.

The return of the ancient Russian city of Polotsk during the Livonian War gave impetus to a number of architectural transformations on the territory of the Moscow Kremlin. Ivan the Terrible gave the order to rebuild the Church of the Annunciation, which was his house church. In 1563-1566. four small churches (chapels) were built over the galleries of the Cathedral of the Annunciation.

Also, the period of the reign of Ivan the Terrible was marked by the appearance in the Kremlin of orders - governing bodies. The buildings of orders were located in the Kremlin on Ivanovskaya Square, which turned into a business and administrative center Moscow at that time. The Posolsky was considered the most important and important of the orders, who monitored the observance of the embassy ceremonies, and was also in charge of the foreign policy of the Russian state.

Transformations of the architectural ensemble of the Kremlin during the formation of the Romanov dynasty

At the end of the 19th century, or rather, in 1586, during the reign of Tsar Fyodor Ivanovich, the legendary Tsar Cannon was cast from bronze at the Cannon Yard, which is the largest howitzer ever cast, and which, for this reason, in our time was listed in the Guinness Book of Records. Even today, visitors to the Kremlin can admire this monument of artillery foundry craftsmanship.

The following changes in the architecture of the Kremlin were made during the short reign of Boris Godunov, as evidenced by the earliest plans of Moscow and the Kremlin, such as the "Kremlenagrad" document dating from 1600.

As a result of the Great Troubles that followed the death of Boris Godunov, a long struggle for power began, which led to the enslavement of Moscow by the Poles. When in 1612 the militia led by Prince Dmitry Pozharsky and the merchant Kuzma Minin liberated Moscow, a sad picture appeared before the liberators who entered the Kremlin: wooden buildings were dismantled or burned, the treasury was plundered, churches were devastated and desecrated.

Already at the beginning of 1613, the young Mikhail Fedorovich Romanov, who at that time was 16 years old, was elected to the kingdom by the Zemsky Sobor. It was he who became the founder of the new royal dynasty that ruled Russia for three hundred years. This event somewhat later also influenced the architectural ensemble of the Kremlin. In 1635-1636. Russian architects Bazhen Ogurtsov, Antip Konstantinov, Trefil Sharutin and Larion Ushakov built the Terem Palace for Sovereign Mikhail Fedorovich, which became a new decoration of the Kremlin.

Many significant events in the life of the capital, as well as the change of rulers and persons close to them, entailed changes in the appearance of the Kremlin. So, during the reign of Alexei Nikolayevich, the son of Mikhail Romanov, Patriarch Nikon, in 1652-1656, rebuilt the patriarchal palace, located on the territory of the Kremlin. The palace was reconstructed by Russian craftsmen Ivan Semyonov and Aleksey Korolkov. As a result of the transformations, a luxurious Cross Chamber appeared in the palace.

Due to the growth and complexity of the apparatus state power during the reign of Tsar Alexei Mikhailovich, a new building of orders was built. It was two-storey, began at the Archangel Cathedral and reached almost to the Spasskaya Tower. In the same years, new buildings of the Chudov Monastery grew on the opposite side of Ivanovskaya Square, harmoniously complementing the appearance of the Kremlin from the side of the Moscow River.

Architectural transformations of the Kremlin in the 18th century

At the turn of the 17th and 18th centuries, the Moscow Kremlin experienced a period of its highest prosperity. But in the very first year of the new century, the Kremlin suffered from a great fire, and instead of the burned-out part (the gap between the Trinity and Sobakin towers), on the orders of Tsar Peter I, the construction of the Arsenal (Tseikhgauz) was started and the walls of the Kremlin were strengthened. These transformations were carried out in connection with the fact that there was North War and Charles XII was about to advance on Moscow. The Arsenal was finally completed in 1736 under Empress Anna Ioannovna.

After the Russian capital was transferred from Moscow to St. Petersburg in 1712 by decree of Tsar Peter the Great, the Assumption Cathedral still continued to be the main temple of the state. It was in the Assumption Church that the highest state power was consecrated, but the Kremlin was no longer suitable for the lifestyle dictated by modern conditions, and they began to rebuild it. The ancient boyar chambers and monasteries began to be replaced by new palaces.

Among others, the chambers of the Sovereign's Court, built in the 15th century, were dismantled, and in their place, according to the project of the architect Rastrelli, a stone Baroque Winter Palace was built. One side of the palace overlooked the Moscow River, and the other looked at the Cathedral Square.

Another outstanding monument of Russian foundry art, which is still located on the territory of the Kremlin, is the Tsar Bell. This giant bell was cast at the Cannon Yard in 1733-1735 by decree of Empress Anna Ioannovna. The bell never had to serve its intended purpose. During the Trinity fire that engulfed the Kremlin in 1737, when extinguishing the wooden structures in which the bell was located, water fell on it, and a significant fragment broke off from it due to the temperature difference (the weight of the fragment was 11.5 tons, and the total mass of the bell was approximately 200 tons). For about a hundred years the bell remained in the casting pit, and in 1836 it was raised and placed on a pedestal.

The construction of the Kremlin was not always rational and justified. In 1756-1764. on the site where the ancient Treasury yard was once located (between the Annunciation and Archangel Cathedrals), according to the project of the architect Ukhtomsky, the building of the gallery of the Armory was built, in which the treasures of the royal treasury were to be stored. But a few years later, it was planned to carry out a large-scale reconstruction of the Kremlin according to the Bazhenov project, and the building of the Armory, along with many ancient buildings, was demolished. As a result, the south- East End Borovitsky hill, which was not built up in the future.

An important role in changing the appearance of the Moscow Kremlin was played by the architect M. F. Kazakov. Under his leadership, the Bishop's House was built. In addition, according to Kazakov's idea, all transformations were to carefully preserve historical monuments. One of the famous architectural brainchild of Kazakov is the building of the Senate, erected in 1776-1787. It was inscribed in the space between the Chudov Monastery and Nikolskaya Street. The Senate building was built in the form of an isosceles triangle, inside of which there was a courtyard. The building was located opposite the Arsenal and completed the architectural ensemble of the Senate Square.

In 1806, Alexander I issued a decree "On the rules for the management and preservation in order and integrity of the antiquities in the Workshop and the Armory", and on the site of the Tsareboris Yard and the Trinity Compound, it was decided to build a museum building in which all the valuables would be preserved. The project of the building was developed by the architect Egotov, construction continued from 1806 to 1810. As a result of the project, not only a new building appeared in the Kremlin, but also a small square between the Trinity Tower and the Arsenal, which was called Troitskaya.

The Kremlin during the Patriotic War of 1812 and beyond

The Patriotic War of 1812 disrupted plans for the further restructuring of the Kremlin. During the stay of the Napoleonic army in Moscow, the Kremlin, like the whole of Moscow, suffered greatly from fires and looting. The Vodovzvodnaya, 1st Nameless, Petrovskaya towers were blown up, the tent of the Borovitskaya tower was in a dilapidated state, almost nothing remained of Nikolskaya.

Destroyed, but unconquered Moscow aroused the most sincere patriotic feelings in people, which were embodied in the desire to revive the city in its former beauty and grandeur. Most famous architects Russia began to restore the Kremlin. The blown-up towers and walls of the Kremlin, the Arsenal, the Assumption Bell Tower and many other buildings were rebuilt.

On site Winter Palace by order of Emperor Nicholas I in 1838-1851. on the territory of the Kremlin was built palace complex in Russian style. The complex included the Grand Kremlin Palace, the new building of the Armory, and the Apartments. The construction was headed by the architect K.A. Tone, which managed to organically combine new buildings and preserved ancient architectural monuments. For the first time, the restoration of architectural monuments of the 15th-17th centuries was carried out. The complex of new buildings has created a unique ensemble of Palace Square. The square was opened from the side of the Moskva River and smoothly passed into Borovitskaya Street.

The space of the Cathedral Square has remained open since the demolition of the buildings of orders. Here, in the 19th century, reviews of troops were held, and the square was called the Dragoon parade ground. In 1989, a monument to Alexander II was solemnly opened in this place, which was a complex architectural structure, and played the role of a three-dimensional accent of this section of the Kremlin.

The Kremlin is a historical, cultural and architectural monument

At the beginning of the 20th century, the Moscow Kremlin was increasingly perceived as a historical, cultural and architectural monument. Treasures from the Armory and the Patriarchal Sacristy were often shown at various all-Russian and international exhibitions, in 1912 it was decided to transfer the Arsenal to the disposal of the committee for the creation of the Museum of the Patriotic War of 1812. Already in the 19th century, the Armory was a palace imperial museum, and its history began much earlier. The first mention of the Armory Order dates back to 1547 - then weapons were stored here. Then the Armory was called the great treasury, and its current name appeared in the 1560s. The museum presents unique historical exhibits, such as the Cap of Monomakh, the thrones of Russian emperors, ancient precious fabrics, weapons and much more.

In 1913, all of Russia solemnly celebrated the tercentenary of the liberation of Moscow and the tercentenary of the Romanov dynasty. In honor of this double date, a grandiose exhibition of ancient monuments was organized in the Kremlin, which were collected from many parts of Russia. The exhibition was such a success that it was decided to turn the entire Kremlin into an "Acropolis of Art and Antiquity", but the events of the First World War, and then the October Revolution of 1917, took the history of the Kremlin in a completely different direction.

In March 1918, the government of the Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic moved from Petrograd to Moscow and settled in the Kremlin, which became the place of activity of the highest bodies of state power, and the residence of some of its leaders. In particular, V.I. Lenin, and then, I.V. Stalin. Thus, the Kremlin was closed for free visiting.

The active anti-religious propaganda planted by the Soviet government in the 30s of the 20th century led to the fact that huge and irreparable damage was inflicted on many monasteries and churches throughout the country. The Moscow Kremlin also did not escape this sad fate. Here, in 1929, the ancient Orthodox shrines - Chudov and the Ascension monasteries - were destroyed, and the building of the Military School grew in their place.

The eagles that crowned the Spasskaya, Nikolskaya, Borovitskaya and Troitskaya towers were removed in 1935. Instead of eagles, luminous ruby ​​stars ranging in size from 3 to 3.75 meters were installed on these four towers and on the Vodovzvodnaya Tower.

During the Great Patriotic War, the main valuables were taken out of the Kremlin, and architectural complex Luckily, he was practically unharmed. Already in 1955, the Moscow Kremlin was opened for inspection, Soviet citizens and foreigners had the opportunity to get acquainted with the exhibits of the Armory, with the ancient Kremlin churches.

In 1961, next to the Trinity Gates, in the place where the building of the first Armory once stood, the Palace of Congresses was built, in which large-scale government and state events were held, as well as congresses of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union.

In the period from 1970 to 1980, large-scale repair and restoration work was carried out on the territory of the Kremlin. And in 1990, the Moscow Kremlin entered the List world heritage UNESCO. All museums that were located in the Kremlin were merged into the State historical and cultural reserve"Moscow Kremlin", which includes: the Armory, Assumption, Arkhangelsk, Annunciation Cathedrals, the Church of the Deposition of the Robe, the Museum of Applied Art and Life of Russia of the 17th century, as well as the architectural ensemble of the Ivan the Great Bell Tower.

After the USSR ceased to exist in 1991, Moscow became the capital of Russia, and the Kremlin became the residence of the President of Russia.

For the 850th anniversary, which Moscow celebrated in 1997, the Moscow Kremlin was restored again. In the course of the work, the Red Porch of the Faceted Chamber was restored, the Senate building was restored, and much more. Now in the days of big Orthodox holidays solemn services are held in the Kremlin cathedrals, and excursions are conducted around the territory of the Kremlin.

The area of ​​the Kremlin in Moscow today is 27.5 hectares, the total length of the Kremlin walls is 2,235 meters. In total, the Kremlin has 20 towers, the height of the towers is up to 80 meters. The height of the Kremlin walls varies from 5 to 15 meters, and the thickness - from 3.5 to 6.5 meters.

Historical reference:

The oldest center of Moscow - the Moscow Kremlin- was founded as a fortification of a small settlement located on Borovitsky Hill, when its history began.

The first mention of Moscow was found in chronicles for 1147. They also report that the wooden walls of the Kremlin were erected by order of Yuri Dolgoruky. Initially, the size of the fortress was small, the length of the wall reached 1200 meters.

Origin versions there are several words "Kremlin".

According to one of them, this name comes from the name of the central part of the ancient cities, called "Krom". Another version suggests that this word could also come from the "kremlin", a very durable tree, going to the construction of fortress walls. There is even an assumption that the roots of this word are Greek, i.e. "kremnos" - steep mountain, steepness over a ravine or shore. Judging by where the fortress was built, this version has every right to exist.

But all this does not change the essence, which lies in the fact that the Moscow Kremlin is the largest of the surviving fortresses in Europe.

And at first it was a small fortification on an area of ​​​​about nine hectares, where the inhabitants of the settlements located outside the walls of the fortress could hide in case of the threat of an enemy attack. Over time, the settlements grew, and the fortress grew along with them.

The new walls of the Kremlin were erected during the reign of Ivan Kalita. They were made of stone on the inside, and wooden and covered with clay on the outside.

It is noteworthy that even in the difficult years of the yoke in Rus', the Moscow princes rebuilt existing and built new fortresses. So, under Dmitry Donskoy, the Kremlin, which suffered in a fire in 1365, was rebuilt. For the construction of walls, the length of which became about two kilometers, and the Kremlin towers, white stone was used. Since then, in the annals, Moscow began to be called white-stone.

Earthquake of 1446 and the fires again damaged the Kremlin walls. The consequence of this was a new restructuring of the Kremlin during the reign of Ivan III. For the construction, Italian masters, recognized experts in fortification, were invited, who used the advanced achievements of the Italian and Russian art of military engineering during the construction.

But they were building not just a fortress, they were building a holy city.

On each side of the Kremlin, seven towers of red baked bricks were erected. The idea of ​​the architects was that the Cathedral Square became the center of the Kremlin. Beautiful cathedrals are located on it:, and, (the temple of the Deposition of the Robe, as well as the Cathedral of the Annunciation, were built by Russian craftsmen in the best traditions of Russian church architecture).

The new walls of the Moscow Kremlin turned out to be so strong that for five centuries no one has ever been able to master them. In the underground part under the entire territory, under each of the towers, they created a complex system of labyrinths and secret passages. They were discovered by archaeologist N.S. Shcherbatov in 1894, but in the twenties of the last century, photographs and drawings disappeared.

In addition to the described fortifications, the impregnability of the fortress was ensured by the high slopes of the Borovitsky hill and water lines. A canal dug along the northeastern wall of the Kremlin in the 16th century turned the Kremlin into an island.

The Kremlin walls formed an irregular triangle in plan, the area of ​​which was 28 hectares. They were built of brick, but inside them is white stone from old walls built by Dmitry Donskoy. For strength, the structures are filled with lime. For construction, a half-pood, shaped like a loaf of bread, brick was used (in those days, the use of brick for construction was an innovation in Rus').

The height of the walls of the Moscow Kremlin ranges from five to nineteen meters, depending on the terrain. They have an upper continuous course around the entire perimeter. Its width is two meters. Outside, the course is protected by teeth, so it is not visible.

Battlements are a characteristic Italian fortification element. There are 1045 battlements on the walls, called "dovetails" for their characteristic shape. The thickness of the battlements is 65-70 cm, the height is about 2.5 m. Each battlement is made of six hundred half-pood bricks, and almost each of them has a loophole.

19 towers are built into the array of walls. Together with a remote tower, there are only 20 of them in the Moscow Kremlin.

The corner towers of the Kremlin have a multifaceted or round shape, the rest are quadrangular. The towers acquired their modern look in the 17th century, when they were built on with hipped and tiered tops. As a result of all the reconstructions, the Kremlin acquired the appearance of a fortress - impregnable and formidable.

History says that in ancient times the Moscow Kremlin was built up with courtyards of boyars and residential buildings. Only in its center, on Cathedral Square, were cathedrals and the grand duke's palace, which later became the royal palace. From it, the Faceted Chamber, the former throne room, has survived to this day. The main bell tower "Ivan the Great" dominated all the buildings, figuratively expressing the greatness of the Russian state with its architecture.

The central cult building of the Moscow Kremlin, Moscow and the whole state was a brilliant work of the Italian architect Fioravanti. IN architectural appearance the influence of the early works of Russian masters is felt in the cathedral.

The traditional architecture of the five-domed Russian cathedrals was continued, which became the burial place of the kings. The Church of the Deposition of the Robe and the Cathedral of the Annunciation, created by Russian masters, are beautiful.

The architecture of the Kremlin changed significantly in the 17th century. It becomes more decorative and elegant. The Kremlin walls are being repaired, a tented triumphal superstructure is being erected on. Somewhat later, in 35-36 years of the same century, a stone residential part was built - Terema, otherwise called. The repository of antiquities and art workshops are united in the royal one.

At the very beginning of the 18th century, Peter I ordered government agencies to be moved outside the Kremlin. All dilapidated buildings are demolished and the building is laid. It was built from 1702 to 1736. From 1776 to 1788, a building with a spectacular round hall covered with a dome was built in the Kremlin.

In the middle of the nineteenth century, the idea of ​​\u200b\u200berecting appears. There were many projects, but it was built according to the drawings of the architect K.A. tone. Years of construction - 1839-1849.

Tangible damage was done to the buildings of the Moscow Kremlin in 1812.

Napoleon during the retreat from Moscow ordered to blow up the Kremlin. Mines were laid under buildings, walls and towers. Some explosions were prevented thanks to Russian patriots, but, nevertheless, significant destruction did occur. After the French emperor was expelled from the country, they began to restore the destroyed palaces, towers and walls, then completed the Armory and the Grand Kremlin Palace. In those days, the Moscow Kremlin was accessible to the public. Visitors entered the territory through the open Spassky Gates, having previously bowed to the icon of the Savior.

Kremlin in Moscow after the 1917 revolution

In 1917, there were cadets on the territory of the Kremlin. As a result of the shelling, which was carried out by the revolutionary troops, the Moscow Kremlin was partially destroyed: the walls, the Small Nicholas Palace, almost all cathedrals, and the Spasskaya Tower were damaged.

In 1918, V.I. moved to the Kremlin. Lenin and the whole government Soviet Russia, as the capital is moved to Moscow. Because of this, the bells in the Kremlin fall silent, churches are closed, Muscovites are deprived of free access to the territory.

The dissatisfaction of the faithful with the closing of the cathedrals was quickly put to rest by Yakov Sverdlov, who was not slow in declaring the primacy of the interests of the revolution over all prejudices. In 1922, more than thirty kilograms of gold, about five hundred kilograms of silver, the shrine of Patriarch Hermogenes, and more than a thousand different precious stones were seized from the cult buildings of the Moscow Kremlin.

The Kremlin architectural ensemble during the Soviet era suffered more than in the entire previous history of its existence.

Of the 54 structures marked on the Kremlin plan at the very beginning of the last century, less than half remain. Monuments to Alexander II, Grand Duke Sergei Alexandrovich were demolished. Congresses of Soviets began to be held in the Grand Kremlin Palace, a public dining room was set up in the Faceted Chamber, and a kitchen was set up in the Golden Chamber. The Catherine's Church was adapted for a sports hall, the Kremlin hospital was located in the Chudov Monastery. In the thirties, the Small Nicholas Palace and all the monasteries with buildings were demolished. Almost the entire eastern part of the Moscow Kremlin has turned into ruins. Soviet authorities destroyed 17 churches.

Many years passed before the Moscow Kremlin began to be restored.

By the celebration of the eight hundredth anniversary of Moscow, a thorough restoration of the towers and walls was carried out. The artists of Palekh in the Cathedral of the Annunciation discovered the murals of 1508. A large amount of restoration work has been carried out in the Archangel Cathedral (wall paintings have been restored). The Assumption Cathedral has also undergone extensive restoration.

The ban on living in the Kremlin has been introduced since 1955, and the ancient architectural ensemble becomes a museum, partially open to the public.

In today's many-sided Moscow, the Kremlin remains historical place, which millions of tourists aspire to visit, hoping to touch the history of the white-stone capital there, to feel and understand it.

The Moscow Kremlin to this day is the main socio-political, artistic, historical, religious and spiritual center of Russia. In addition, the Moscow Kremlin is the official residence of the President of the Russian Federation.

UNESCO in 1990 included the Moscow Kremlin, whose history continues, in the list of world cultural heritage.

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