Who built the Moscow Kremlin - the symbol of the Russian state. 12 Kremlins of modern Russia
For centuries, the territory of present-day central Russia was actively built up with defensive structures. different type. This was due to the existence of separate principalities and the constant transfer of borders that needed to be protected. Some fortifications were erected in cities and were of key importance for the development of the area. They gave shelter to residents in the event of an attack, served as a place for the deployment of troops and gradually turned into the heart of the city. In addition to the obligatory walls, towers, loopholes and other things related to military affairs, chambers, temples, and outbuildings could be located within the boundaries of each Kremlin. Now all these beauties have become part of tourist routes. Most of them are well maintained and used as museums or for administrative purposes.
How many Kremlins are there and in which cities are they located? Tours, towers, museums and cathedrals! List with photos, titles and description the best places.
Moscow
Built at the end of the 15th century. It is located on the Borovitsky hill on the bank of the river. I had not only strategic importance, but also declared the ambitions of Moscow as the "third Rome". In modern times, it is the residence of the President of the country. The Kremlin and Senate palaces have been restored. Research and excavations are being carried out on the Kremlin Hill. On the territory there are also the Tsar Bell and the Tsar Cannon, the Assumption and other cathedrals.
Kazansky
The current appearance was formed by the XVI century. The oldest part of the city. Initially, it was a fortress and played an important role in the confrontation between the Bulgars and one of the principalities of the Golden Horde. Inside the walls, which had 13 towers, temples, a mosque, a palace, and an office were built. Now it is the residence of the head of Tatarstan. A number of municipal services, several museums and the Khazine Gallery also operate here.
Novgorod
Built in the 15th century on the banks of the Volkhov River. Also called the Kid. The reconstruction of the wooden predecessor of the Kremlin was started by Ivan III, who even invested his own funds. The walls are elongated into an uneven oval, there are towers around the entire perimeter, only three have not been preserved. On the territory there are three churches and the St. Sophia Cathedral, as well as the monument "Millennium of Russia", "Eternal Flame" and more.
Kolomensky
Built in the first half of the 16th century. It was necessary to strengthen the borders in the confrontation with the Tatars. The fortress and its buildings suffered more from time and vandals than from wars. 7 towers have been preserved and restored, although there were originally 16, and partly the wall. On the territory of the Kremlin, which has an area of 24 hectares, there are several churches, two monasteries, two cathedrals.
Pskov
It was built at the turn of the 11th-12th centuries on the banks of the Velikaya River. Dovmontov city is part of the complex. It was added later for additional protection of the city and started from a new level of walls. During the excavations, the foundations of temples and part of the wall painting were found here. The territory, in addition, includes the Trinity Cathedral, the Order Chambers, powder magazines, a bell tower, 7 towers and more.
Rostov
Built in the middle of the 17th century. It was originally the residence of the Metropolitan. Although it was built in the traditions of defensive architecture, it did not have defensive tasks, so there are deviations from the canons of style in construction: wide gates, the absence of loopholes, a different design of windows, and so on. Architectural ensemble changed somewhat over time. Now it includes the Assumption Cathedral, a garden, a palace and a cathedral square.
Nizhny Novgorod
It was built at the beginning of the 16th century at the confluence of the Volga and Oka. The city was a frontier, so there was a military outpost here, there was always an army. Subsequently, a square was laid out for entertainment events. The walls stretched for 2 km. 13 towers have been preserved and restored. Within the walls there is a cathedral where Kuzma Minin is buried. Now the Kremlin is the residence of high-ranking officials, including the governor and the mayor.
Tula
Built at the beginning of the 16th century. The oldest building in the city. The Kremlin was needed to secure the way to Moscow. The area exceeds 6 hectares. The walls rise to 13 m. The stone fortress has 9 towers, 4 have gates. There are 2 cathedrals inside the Kremlin. The architectural complex was created using different styles, but it looks like a single whole. Some details speak of the Italian school of architects.
Astrakhan
Built in the second half of the 16th century. Its appearance is associated with the transfer of the city, and the construction of a kind of fort. The place was not chosen by chance: it was difficult to get close because of the waters of the rivers and channels, and there was also an elevation - Hare Hillock. Now it is a branch of the museum-reserve. The ensemble includes many objects: towers, powder magazine, torture chamber, barracks, consistory, etc.
Tobolsk
Built in the XVII-XVIII centuries. The only stone Kremlin in Siberia. It did not have a pronounced defensive value. The construction was planted from the capital, from where the architects were sent. 7 towers have survived, the walls and all structures within the Kremlin are white stone. The complex includes: a judicial council, cathedrals, a bishop's house, a monastic building, a bell tower and more.
Ryazan
In the XII century, the first defensive rampart was built here. The Assumption Cathedral and the nearby bell tower also had navigational significance: only they were visible as landmarks when rafting down the Oka. None of the towers of the fortress walls survived. Churches and temples date back to different centuries, but are inscribed in a common style. Now the Kremlin has been transformed into a museum-reserve. It is one of the oldest in Russia.
Zarayskiy
Built in the first half of the 16th century. In the very first years it was attacked by the Golden Horde. He was repeatedly besieged, but almost always prevailed in confrontation with the enemy. The walls with towers and gates, 2 cathedrals and a religious school have been preserved. Now the territory of the Kremlin is given over to the museum of the same name. He has been working since 1918. The exposition includes art objects from all over the world.
Dmitrovsky
Built in the XII century. Initially - the residence of the princely family. IN different time the fortress was under the command of the Lithuanians and Poles, but not for long. It was transformed into a museum-reserve in 1918. It has a picturesque and extended rampart that replaced the walls. Three roads pass through it. One - through the recreated Nikolsky Gate. The main attraction is the Assumption Cathedral.
Uglich
It was built in the 15th century, but later it was supplemented with new buildings and fortified. Located on the banks of the Volga. The old defensive redoubts are destroyed, their existence can only be judged by the remains of the moat. The Transfiguration Cathedral dates back to the 17th century, at the same time the Church of Dmitry on the Blood appeared (on the occasion of the death of the prince), and the building of the city duma was erected in 1815.
Syzransky
Built in 1683 at the confluence of three rivers. Its construction is connected with the expansion of the country to the southeast. Of the five original towers, one has survived - Spasskaya. It was a gate, but then it underwent modernization and a church appeared inside, now a museum is based in it. There are alleys and flower beds nearby. There is also another church on the territory of the Kremlin, built in 1717.
Verkhotursky
Founded in 1698. The current appearance of the Kremlin was already in the 18th century. It is the only building of its kind in the Middle Urals. Initially, it was a huge estate, which was surrounded by walls and towers. Now the Kremlin is a museum and historical complex. There is a museum "Tsar's barns", tourists have access to the bell tower. The main attraction is the Trinity Cathedral.
Vologda
Laid down in 1567. It had defensive functions, especially the Kremlin was in demand in the 17th century. The fortress was surrounded by a river and ditches. Partially they were preserved, and one moat later became a river. The foundations are visible malls. Sightseeing: St. Sophia Cathedral, a former palace temple - now a church, a bell tower, a complex of the Bishop's Court. The latter is sometimes erroneously called the Kremlin.
Serpukhov
Built in 1374. The first option is made of oak. When strengthening the banks of the Oka, stone walls appeared and other structures were redone. Subjected to raids from the Crimeans. Only the foundations of some buildings, two separate fragments of the wall and the Trinity Cathedral have been preserved. Despite the current situation, the ruins constantly attract researchers and tourists. Ancient objects, such as coins and crosses, have been repeatedly found here.
Gdovsky
The first mention is the XIV century. Located in the city of the same name. The first fortifications here were made of earth, mounds were replaced by stone walls, and then towers. The Kremlin went through sieges, devastation, destruction, and so on, but each time it was recaptured and restored. main cathedral The fortress was blown up during WWII. It was rebuilt in the 90s of the last century according to the available images and drawings.
Mozhaisky
The construction was carried out in periods, the walls were constantly strengthened, stretched out for a total of several centuries from the 12th to the 17th. Little remains of the once important outpost: a gate with a section of a wall, fragments of a fence, earth embankments, and fragments of towers. Excavations have been carried out several times. Were found: a poker, a chess piece, a reliquary icon, a bone comb, and so on.
Volokolamsk
The construction of individual parts began in the 15th century. It is located on the territory of the town of the same name. It differs from structures of this type: little has been preserved, it is not known for certain what exactly was originally here. During the excavations, traces of the wooden fence of the Kremlin were found. At the moment, the complex includes 2 cathedrals different centuries buildings and a five-tier bell tower.
Tsarevokokshaysky
Construction was completed in 2009. Located in Yoshkar-Ola. Previously there were fortifications, but only minor traces of them were found during excavations. The Kremlin has a rectangular shape, surrounded by red brick walls with towers. Used as recreated historical monument, and also as a platform for city entertainment events, agricultural exhibitions, etc.
Smolensk Kremlin
Built at the turn of the XVI-XVII centuries. It was of great defensive importance, therefore it was constantly strengthened. The architect used both old techniques in creating the fortress and new trends. The wall had a battle system in three tiers. The fortress was especially damaged during the retreat of the Napoleonic troops, who almost completely destroyed it. 18 towers have been preserved, although there were 2 times more of them originally.
Porkhov fortress
Built in 1387. It is located in the central part of the city of the same name. The initial purpose is to strengthen the trade route. During its existence, it survived the siege and decadence. The current state of most facilities is depressing, close to emergency. There are 3 towers. Within the boundaries of the fortress there are museums of the Porkhov mail, local history museum and Nikolskaya Church.
Izborsk fortress
Built at the beginning of the XIV century. It became the basis for the city of the same name, which arose around the fortress. The original meaning is defensive. Restructuring and construction of new redoubts were carried out, as the attacks were constant. IN this moment is being restored. The buildings most in need of restoration are the towers and the wall. Nikolsky Cathedral and the battle course have already acquired their former appearance and are available for inspection.
The Moscow Kremlin is located in the very center of Moscow, on the high bank of the Moskva River. Its powerful walls and towers, golden-domed temples, ancient towers and palaces rise above the Moscow River and form a beautiful architectural ensemble.
“Above Moscow there is the Kremlin, and above the Kremlin there is only the sky,” says the old proverb. The Kremlin is the oldest part of Moscow, currently the residence supreme bodies state power of Russia and one of the main historical and artistic complexes of the country.
In plan, the Kremlin is an irregular triangle. Its southern wall faces the Moscow River, Red Square is located in the north, and Alexander Garden is in the northwest. In the XIV century, cathedrals and monasteries were already built here, the Kremlin was the center of the Russian Orthodox Church. Three gigantic cathedrals were erected in the 15th and 16th centuries. There is something to see here! In the Annunciation Cathedral there are beautiful icons and an iconostasis; the bell tower of Ivan the Great with two golden domes is visible from a distance of 30 km, it rises next to the Assumption Cathedral, not far from the cathedral stands the largest bell in the Kremlin - the Tsar Bell; the Armory houses a wide variety of treasures, including royal crowns. In addition, there is the Amusement Palace, the Senate, which houses the office of the President.
The most famous building on Red Square is St. Basil's Cathedral, its fabulous multi-colored domes are crowned with golden crosses, and above main tower rises a gilded dome. Near the Kremlin wall is the Mausoleum of V.I. Lenin, and still people line up to walk past his embalmed body. The space of Red Square, colorful temples and palaces, the Kremlin walls will be remembered for a long time.
Initially, the Kremlin served as a fortification of the village that arose on Borovitsky Hill, a cape at the confluence of the Neglinnaya River with the Moscow River. Here was the oldest Moscow church - the Cathedral of the Transfiguration of the Savior, or the Savior on Bor, built in 1330 for the millennium of Constantinople - "New Rome". The temple was destroyed in 1933. Moscow princes and princesses were buried in it until the cathedral received the status of a court temple.
In 1812, Napoleon blew up the Vodovzvodnaya, Petrovskaya and First nameless towers, the Arsenal tower was seriously damaged, and the extensions to the Ivan the Great bell tower were also destroyed. It took 20 years to restore. In the 30s of the XX century, the double-headed eagles that crowned the main towers of the Kremlin: Spasskaya, Nikolskaya, Troitskaya, Borovitskaya and Vodovzvodnaya were replaced by ruby stars with a diameter of 3-4 m. In 1941-1942, 167 German bombs fell on the Kremlin, but it almost unharmed. Since 1955, the Kremlin has been open to the public, becoming an open-air museum.
The entrance to the Kremlin is through the Kutafya Tower, which was built in 1516. The name is also associated with her low and initially nondescript appearance: “kutafya” in Dahl’s dictionary is a clumsy, ugly dressed woman.
Behind the bridge is the mighty Trinity Tower. Passing through it, we find ourselves on a bridgehead open to all winds, surrounded by the spacious buildings of the Arsenal, the Senate and the Palace of Congresses.
Previously, there was located the most complicated medieval city with cramped uneven streets, each quarter of which contained multiple temples and chambers, courtyards and passages. The only piece of incredible city is in the driveway right hand from the gate is the Amusement Palace of the middle of the 17th century, restored by restorers only at the beginning of this century. On its roof stands a golden-domed house church; once it was surrounded by open mounds and hanging apple orchards, broken on high stone terraces - the entire female half of the Sovereign's Court, which occupied the site of the current Palace of Congresses, was arranged in approximately the same outlandish way.
The Patriarchal Palace, which also has its own house church and probably also had a roof garden. Through its arch you can get to the Cathedral Square. From here, the square opens up in an old-fashioned way brightly and unexpectedly: straight ahead - the bell tower of Ivan the Great, on the right - the Assumption Cathedral, one of the great Russian shrines, main temple Rus' from the XIV century until 1918, the tomb of the ancient metropolitans and patriarchs. The current building was built in the 1470s by the Italian master Aristotle. The temple is small (in architecture textbooks, a picture is popular where the silhouette of the cathedral fits into the giant outlines of the Roman St. Peter, like the youngest matryoshka), but at the same time incredibly strong and large-scale - inside and out: the Italians knew a lot about such illusions.
The Archangel Cathedral of 1505, also built by the Italians on the other side of the square, produces a completely different impression - it is close to the Assumption Cathedral in size, it is much more playful and complex from the outside, and cramped and mysterious inside. Most of its floor is occupied by tombstones of princes and kings who ruled from the 13th to the 18th centuries. All tombstones are of the same type, only the carved canopy over the grave of Tsarevich Dimitri stands out - one of the most tragic losses in Russian history.
On Cathedral Square, the nine-domed palace Cathedral of the Annunciation, the Church of the Deposition of the Robe with a small exposition of ancient Russian wooden sculpture, exhibition halls in the Assumption Belfry and the Patriarchal Palace. The archaeological exposition in the basement of the Annunciation Cathedral and the lower tier of the Ivan the Great Bell Tower receive visitors at certain sessions.
Armory and Diamond fund are located in another part of the Kremlin, at the Borovitsky Gates, and to see them you need to buy separate tickets in advance. Unfortunately, the Kremlin Palace is closed to free access, although excursions are theoretically held in it, but on a very separate record and for separate money. The working population can only be content with an external view of the Faceted Chamber - the throne room of sovereigns from the end of the 15th century, as well as a fragment of residential royal choirs visible to the right of it, crowned with many-domed house churches and a heavy bulk Grand Palace built in the middle of the 19th century.
The Tsar Cannon and the Tsar Bell are also located on the territory. When mentioning the square, many people remember the saying “shout at all Ivanovskaya”, believing that it was here that the royal decrees were announced. However, there is another way to decipher this saying. The Ivan the Great Bell Tower was the main Russian bell tower, it had forty bells, each with its own name. All bells were rung only on the most special occasions. So the expression "in all Ivanovskaya" means that some work must be done with all its strength and fullness.
The famous monuments of foundry art - the Tsar Bell and the Tsar Cannon are so huge that they have never been used for their intended purpose. But touching them with your hand is a good sign.
The ceremony of equestrian and foot divorce of the Presidential Regiment takes place on Saturdays at 12.00 on the Cathedral Square of the Kremlin and on the last Saturday of each month at 14.00 on Red Square.
And most importantly: do not miss the first shrine of the new time, the mystical oak "Cosmos", planted by Yuri Gagarin a day after the flight. Muscovites have long believed in its magical properties, remember you too: if someone walks around a tree three times, saying “Gagarin, Gagarin, fly with greetings, return with an answer,” his children will certainly be born great cosmonauts.
By the way, the Moscow Kremlin, the main of all Kremlins, is the only one capitalized. It is the largest active fortress in Europe. Its semi-regime status is explained by the fact that the entire complex is simultaneously a monument included in the World Heritage List. cultural heritage UNESCO, and the official residence of the President of the Russian Federation.
At the entrance to the territory of the Kremlin, personal belongings of visitors are searched. All unauthorized items will have to be handed over to the storage room located in the lower tier of the Kutafya Tower. Photo and video filming, including amateur photography, is prohibited in museum-cathedrals. Armory and Diamond Fund.
Construction history
Since the time of Dmitry Donskoy, Moscow has been decorated white stone kremlin (built in 1368). Over the past century, its walls have worn out so much that foreigners, due to the abundance of gaping bald spots that were laid with logs, happened to mistake them for wooden ones. Yes, and this Kremlin was built in those years when the Italian masters in Rus' had not yet heard. Having at the court of the master Aristotle Fioravanti, Ivan III could well think about how to remake the fortress so that no one could not only take it, but even dare not approach it. However, the name of Aristotle Fioravanti has never appeared anywhere among the builders of the Moscow Kremlin. However, many historians tend to consider the true creator master plan it was Aristotle who outlined the general line of the Kremlin walls, outlined the positions of the towers, laid secret dungeons and labyrinths, and his compatriots worked on separate sections. Work on the Moscow Kremlin was carried out in a way that no other fortress had ever been built in Rus'. On an area with a radius of 100 fathoms, not a single building was left around. Even churches that stood there for several centuries were demolished. The area behind the Moskva River opposite the future Kremlin walls was also cleared of buildings. A similar approach to construction was required by the fortification rules of those times, which came from Europe.
IN Ancient Rus' any Big City had a fortified territory - the Kremlin. Therefore, the Kremlin is the name of the city fortifications in Ancient Rus'. At present, there are 12 kremlins left in Russia, which have been well preserved for centuries, and have not changed their city status.
The modern walls and towers of the Moscow Kremlin were built in 1482 - 1495 by Italian architects from red brick, in place of white stone ones, they were completed back in the 17th century. The number of surviving towers: 20, the number of gates - 4, the height of the walls: from 5 to 19 meters, the thickness of the walls - from 3.5 to 6.5 meters. In the Kremlin of Moscow, there are the Assumption, Archangel, Annunciation Cathedrals, several churches, the Patriarch's Chambers, the Terem Palace, the Pomegranate Chamber, the Ivan the Great Bell Tower and other buildings. The Moscow Kremlin has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1990.
2. Rostov Kremlin
The Kremlin complex was built by the Rostov Metropolitan Iona Sysoevich as a bishop's house on the shore of Lake Nero in 1670-1683. The fortress walls have 11 preserved towers, including four entrance ones. The Kremlin houses the 5-domed Assumption Cathedral, built at the end of the 16th century, the cathedral belfry with the famous 13 Rostov bells, as well as several beautiful churches and chambers. The Kremlin is a unique architectural complex end of the 17th century It has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1998.
3. Nizhny Novgorod Kremlin
The walls of the Kremlin with 12 preserved towers (originally 13) were built in 1508-1515, probably by the Italian architect Pyotr Fryazin. The number of gates is 5, the height of the walls is from 12 to 22 meters, the thickness of the walls is from 3.5 to 4.5 meters. In the Kremlin there is the Mikhailo-Arkhangelsky Cathedral, built in 1631 in honor of the victory of the militia in 1612, where Kuzma Minin is now buried, several civil buildings, a monument to Minin and Pozharsky was erected.
4. Tula Kremlin
Brick walls and towers were built in 1514-1520 as a defensive fortress on the southern borders of the country. The number of surviving towers: 9, the number of gates - 4, the height of the walls: from 12.7 meters, the thickness of the walls - from 2.8 to 3.2 meters. The Kremlin withstood the siege of the Crimean Khan Devlet Giray in 1552, and in 1608 the rebels of I. Bolotnikov withstood the siege of the tsarist troops in the Kremlin for four months. In the Kremlin there is a five-domed Assumption Cathedral, built in 1762 - 1764, the Cathedral of the Epiphany (1855 - 1863), a monument to Peter 1.
5. Novgorod Kremlin
Modern fortress walls and towers were built in 1484-1490 on the foundations of the old walls of the early 14th century. (Detinets itself has existed on the territory of the modern Kremlin since the 10th century). Of the towers, nine have survived to this day, including the 30-meter Kokui tower, built on at the end of the 17th century. The number of gates is 3, the height of the walls is from 8 to 15 meters, the thickness of the walls is from 3.6 to 6.55 meters. In the Kremlin there is the Novgorod Sophia Cathedral of the middle of the 11th century, the most ancient stone structure on the territory of Russia, the Faceted Chamber and other buildings. In 1862, the Millennium of Russia monument was solemnly opened in the Kremlin. The Novgorod Kremlin has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1992.
6.Kazan Kremlin
This Kremlin was built in the X-XVI centuries by Postnik Yakovlev and Ivan Shiryai in Pskov architectural style. The number of surviving towers: 8, the number of gates - 2, the height of the walls - from 8 to 12 meters. The walls and towers were reconstructed in the 17th and 19th centuries. On the territory of the Kremlin there is the Cathedral of the Annunciation, built in 1562, the watchtower of Syuyumbek (buildings of unknown time), and also built in the 1990s. mosque Kul-Sharif. The Kremlin withstood the siege of Pugachev's troops in 1774. The Kazan Kremlin has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2000.
7. Astrakhan Kremlin.
Located on a high hill on the banks of the Volga. It was built in 1562 - 1589 by Mikhail Velyaminov and Dey Gubasty. The number of preserved towers: 7, the number of gates - 2, the height of the walls - from 3 to 8 meters, the thickness of the walls - from 5 to 12 meters. The white-stone walls of the Kremlin include seven towers - three travel and four deaf. On the territory of the Kremlin there are Trinity and Assumption Cathedrals, St. Cyril's Chapel, Bishop's House. The Prechistensky Gate is crowned with a tower with a bell tower and a clock (80 m high).
8. Zaraisk Kremlin
Built in 1528 - 1531 by order of Vasily III. Number of surviving towers: 7, number of gates - 4. Being border town, which was part of the line of fortifications on the southern border of the Russian state, Zaraysk was subjected to repeated attacks by the Horde, in 1608 it was captured by Polish troops. In 1610, Prince D.M. Pozharsky. The brick Kremlin is lined with white stone on the outside. Of the 7 towers, three are travel. The Kremlin houses St. Nicholas Cathedral and the late Church of John the Baptist.
9. Tobolsk Kremlin
This is the only stone Kremlin in Siberia. Time of construction: 1683-1799. Number of surviving towers: 7. Built by G. Sharypin and G. Tyurin: stone walls and so-called towers. Sophia Courtyard and the five-domed Sophia-Assumption Cathedral (1681 - 1686) - the oldest stone building in Siberia. In the years 1700 - 1717, Semyon Remezov built the secular part of the Kremlin - the Small or Voznesensky city. The cathedral bell tower (75 m high) was built at the end of the 18th century, the Intercession Cathedral in the 1740s. Other buildings of the Kremlin were built in the 18th - 19th centuries. Under Boris Godunov, the famous Uglich bell was “exiled” to Tobolsk, for which a special stone belfry was built in the Kremlin.
10. Kolomna Kremlin
Built in 1525 - 1531. under Vasily III on the site of the destroyed by the Tatars wooden Kremlin. The walls and towers are partially preserved. The number of surviving towers: 7, the number of gates - 6, the height of the walls - from 18 to 21 meters, the thickness of the walls - from 3 to 4.5 meters. Of the towers, the Marinka Tower stands out, in which, according to legend, Marina Mnishek was imprisoned. The Kremlin houses the Assumption Cathedral (late 17th century), Resurrection Church (rebuilt in the 18th century), Trinity Church (late 17th century) and other buildings.
11. Pskov Kremlin
The time of construction of this Kremlin: the end of the XI - the beginning of the XII centuries. Towers - 7, Gates - 1 (through zahab), wall height: from 6 to 8 meters, wall thickness - from 2.5 to 6 meters. The Pskov Kremlin is called "Krom". It is located at the confluence of the Velikaya and Pskov rivers. The walls and towers were built in the 12th century. made of limestone and are the oldest surviving Kremlin fortifications in Russia. The five-domed Trinity Cathedral of the end of the 17th century is located on the territory of Krom. and a seven-sided bell tower of the same time, built on at the beginning of the 19th century.
12. Ryazan Kremlin
This Kremlin was built in the 15th century. And at the end of the 17th century, the walls and towers of the Kremlin were demolished due to dilapidation and the absence of the need to defend the frontiers. Only the rampart and the ditch survived. The Ryazan Kremlin is a complex of historical and architectural monuments located on the territory of the original fortress of Pereyaslavl-Ryazansky, located in the interfluve of the Trubezh and Lybed rivers. The structures are surrounded by an earthen defensive rampart of the 12th-17th centuries. On the territory of the Kremlin there is the Assumption Cathedral, built at the end of the 17th century. in the style of "Naryshkin baroque" by Y. Bukhvostov, a four-tiered bell tower (late 18th - early 19th centuries), Christ's Nativity and Archangel (XVI centuries) cathedrals, bishops' chambers (XVII - XIX centuries) - the so-called. chambers of prince Oleg, other churches and civil constructions.
It is located on the left bank of the Moskva River, on Borovitsky Hill, the most ancient part of the city, which is currently the seat of the highest state authorities of Russia and one of the main historical and artistic complexes of the country. Included in the 1000 best places in the world according to our website.
The first settlements on the territory of the Moscow Kremlin belong to Bronze Age(2nd millennium BC). A settlement belonging to the early Iron Age (2nd half of the 1st millennium BC) was found near the modern Archangel Cathedral...
Initially, the Kremlin served as a fortification of the village that arose on Borovitsky Hill, a cape at the confluence of the river. Neglinnaya to the Moscow River. The first chronicle mention of Moscow dates back to 1147. In 1156, the first fortifications with a total length of about 700 meters were built on the territory of the modern Kremlin. Since 1264 the residence of the princes of Moscow ...
In the XIV century, the territory of the Kremlin expanded, it was surrounded by oak walls, which in 1367 were replaced by walls and towers made of white stone.
At the end of the 13th - beginning of the 14th centuries, the first stone churches were built, and in the second half of the 15th century, the Moscow Kremlin was rebuilt with the participation of Italian architects. It became its center Cathedral Square with the Assumption Cathedral (1475-79), the Annunciation Cathedral (1484-89), the Faceted Chamber (1487-91), the Archangel Cathedral (1505-08) located on it - (the tomb of Russian princes and kings) and the bell tower of Ivan the Great ...
In 1485-95, under Ivan III, the fortifications of the Kremlin were rebuilt. The new walls and towers, taller and thicker than the old ones, are lined with red brick. In 1508-16, a moat was dug on the site of modern Red Square, the water into which came from the river. Neglinnaya. the Kremlin is becoming impregnable fortress surrounded by water on all sides...
In the XVII-XIX there is an active construction of secular buildings, and the Kremlin ensemble receives its logical conclusion. In 1635-36, the Terem Palace was built, adjoining the Palace of Facets. In the 17th century, the Kremlin towers received tiered and tented completions, acquiring modern look. .. By 1702-36 the construction big building Arsenal (architects D. Ivanov, H. Konrad with the participation of M. I. Choglokov). In 1776-87 the building of the Senate (architect Matvey Kazakov).
In 1812, Moscow and the Kremlin were captured by Napoleon's army. Retreating, Napoleon ordered to mine and blow up the Kremlin buildings. Despite the fact that most of the charges did not explode, the damage was significant. The Vodovoznaya, Petrovskaya and First nameless towers were blown up, the Arsenal tower was seriously damaged, and extensions to the bell tower of Ivan the Great were also damaged. It took 20 years to restore the destruction, from 1815 to 1836.
In the middle of the 18th century, the idea arose to build the Grand Kremlin Palace, located on the southern slope of the Kremlin hill along the river. At different times, his projects were developed by architects V. I. Bazhenov, M. F. Kazakov, A. N. Lvov, V. P. Stasov. But only the project of K. A. Ton in 1839-49 was destined to come true. According to his own project, in 1844-51 the building of the Armory was built.
With the advent of Soviet power, the Kremlin became one of the symbols of the new system. In 1935 - 37 the double-headed eagles that crowned the main towers of the Kremlin: Spasskaya, Nikolskaya, Troitskaya, Borovitskaya and Vodovoznaya were replaced by ruby stars with a diameter of 3 - 3.75 meters. The Kremlin Palace of Congresses (now the State Kremlin Palace) was built in 1959-61.
Since 1955, the Kremlin has been open to the public, becoming an open-air museum.
In 1990 the Kremlin was included in the list world heritage UNESCO.
The existing walls and towers were built in 1485 - 95. 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.
There are 20 towers along the walls. 3 towers, standing in the corners of the triangle, have a round section, the rest are square. The most high tower- Spasskaya, it has a height of 71 m.
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.
Photo attraction: Moscow Kremlin
The Moscow Kremlin is located on Borovitsky Hill. His South part goes to Moscow, eastern - borders on Red Square, and Alexander Park is closely adjacent to the northwestern. Currently, it is the residence of the President and an important political center of the whole country. It is generally accepted that the construction of the modern architectural and historical complex was started in 1482 and completed in 1495. The exact year of the founding of the very first fortress by Prince Yuri Dolgoruky is unknown, but already in 1156, wooden fortifications surrounded by a moat were built on the territory of the Kremlin. To find out who built the Moscow Kremlin, you need to turn to history.
On the territory of the Kremlin in the II millennium BC. e. people already lived. Not far from the Archangel Cathedral, a settlement of the Finno-Ugric peoples was discovered, which dates back to the second half of the 1st millennium BC. e. Archaeologists have found flint arrowheads, stone axes, and shards left over from pottery. The buildings were protected by two ravines, which significantly increased the defense at that distant time.
In the 10th century, the Slavs began to settle in the lands located between the basins of the Moscow River and the Oka. It is believed that the Vyatichi built two fortified centers on Borovitsky Hill. They were protected by a ring of palisades and fortified with a moat dug around it and a high rampart. Two ravines were attached to these structures, the depth of which was brought up to 9 m, and the width - up to 3.8 m. The rapid development of the settlement was facilitated by busy trade routes between East and West, running along the Moscow River, and two large land roads. One of them led to Novgorod, and the other connected Kyiv, Smolensk and the northeastern lands.
Moscow was first mentioned in chronicles in 1147. And in 1156, by order of Yuri Dolgoruky, military fortifications, residential and outbuildings were already erected on the site of the modern Kremlin. The area occupied by them was supposedly equal to 3 hectares. In 1264 the Kremlin became the residence of the Moscow appanage princes.
In the XIV century, five monasteries were built on the territory of the Kremlin. The oldest of them is the Spaso-Preobrazhensky monastery on the forest, which was built in 1330, the year of the celebration of the millennium of Constantinople. However, it was destroyed in 1933. The Chudov Monastery was founded by Metropolitan Alexy in 1365. The name was given in honor of the Church of the Miracle of the Archangel Michael in Khonekh. In 1929, all the buildings that were part of the monastery complex were demolished.
Stthe construction of the white-stone Kremlin
In the second half of the 14th century, during the reign of Grand Duke Dmitry Donskoy, the Kremlin wooden walls began to be replaced with stone ones, the thickness of which exceeded two or even three meters. The most important sectors and sections are being built from the local white stone, to which the main attacking forces of the enemy could be directed. To more powerfully repel enemy attacks, the walls began to be reinforced with towers. The new walls were at a distance of 60 m from the old ones, built of oak, so the area of the entire Kremlin becomes almost equal to the modern one. Over the years, stone buildings began to require repair. Under the leadership of V.D. Yermolin, a Moscow merchant, head of the construction work of the Russian state, in 1462 the Kremlin walls were repaired from the Sviblova Strelnitsa to the very Borovitsky Gates.
Under the Moscow Prince Ivan III, the long-awaited unification of all Russian lands and principalities into one state took place. By this time, a significant restructuring of the Moscow Kremlin was required. The construction of the new Assumption Cathedral in 1471 was entrusted to Russian architects - Krivtsov and Myshkin. But the building collapsed in an earthquake.
Then Ivan III invited in 1475 the Italian architect Ridolfo Aristotle Fioravanti. In four years, he built a building, the model for which was the Assumption Cathedral in Vladimir. Fioravanti was also a good engineer and, remaining in Russia, took part in several military campaigns as chief of artillery. Later, masters from Pskov erected the Rizopolozhenskaya Church, and then the new Annunciation Cathedral.
The newly invited Italian architects held great job and built several religious buildings in full accordance with the basic principles of Russian architecture. Since 1485, they have carried out the construction of the Kremlin walls from baked bricks, which weighed 8 kg (half a pood). It was also called two-handed, since it was impossible to lift it with one hand.
The walls of the Kremlin are very high and sometimes reach the height of a six-story building. They have a passage, the width of which is about two meters. It is not interrupted anywhere, which allows you to bypass the entire Kremlin around the perimeter. Outside, the building is covered with 1,045 merlon battlements, typical of Italian fortresses. They are also called "dovetail". The height of the teeth reaches 2.5 m, and the thickness reaches 70 cm. The construction of one tooth required 600 bricks, and loopholes were built in almost each of them. In total, there are 20 towers along the walls. Of these, the highest is Troitskaya, its height is 79.3 m.
During the reign of Peter I, the Moscow Kremlin ceased to be a royal residence, since the emperor, together with the court, moved to the built Saint Petersburg(until 1720 - St. Peter-Burch). In 1701, a severe fire broke out in the Kremlin, as a result of which many wooden buildings were destroyed. In 1704, Peter I issued a decree forbidding the construction of any wooden structures inside the Kremlin. In 1702, the construction of a two-story Arsenal building began, which continued until 1736. Under Elizabeth Petrovna, the building of the Winter Palace was built, according to the project of the Italian architect V.V. Rastrelli.
In 1812 the Moscow Kremlin was occupied by the French army. During the retreat, he was mined and blown up by the personal order of Napoleon. Not all charges exploded, but the damage was very significant. Several towers, the Arsenal, extensions to the bell tower of Ivan the Great were destroyed, the building of the Senate was damaged. Restoration work was entrusted to the architect F.K. Sokolov. 
In 1917, during the October armed uprising in the Kremlin, walls, towers and a number of buildings were partially destroyed. Later, under the guidance of architect N.V. Markovnikov, restoration work and repair of damaged objects were carried out.
Moscow Kremlin throughout its long history rebuilt and restored several times. in the construction of temples and public buildings prominent architects, masters from both Italy and Italy took an active part. It is almost impossible to say exactly who built the Moscow Kremlin. But we must always remember that this complex has protected the capital of our state for many centuries and is now the center political life Russian Federation.
