The word Kremlin appears frequently in the news; it has become even more common since Russia began its war against Ukraine. People generally associate the word with the seat of Russian government power, thinking of it as similar to the Moncloa Palace in Spain and the White House in the US.
However, here we're going to tell you what the Kremlin is , the most emblematic and representative site in the city of Moscow.
What is the Kremlin?
The word Kremlin derives from the fortified city it describes. The Moscow Kremlin covers 27 hectares of land surrounded by 2500 meters of walls joined by 20 towers, each 80 meters tall . The Kremlin is represented by its red walls and red star-shaped weathervanes atop its towers.
There are approximately 20 kremlins scattered throughout Russia. However, the Moscow Kremlin is the most famous of them all. It is a complex of cathedrals, palaces, and other buildings that were constructed during the Tsarist era. In 1990, it was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Moscow Kremlin is considered the official workplace of the president , although it is not his primary residence.
Origin of the Kremlin
The Moscow Kremlin originated from a wooden fortress commissioned in the 12th century by Prince Yury Dolgoruky. The Mongols destroyed the castle in the 13th century, and the Tatars destroyed it in another century. Although neither destruction was easy, both were eventually achieved.
The white fortress with nine towers was commissioned by Prince Dmitry Donskoy and built in the late 14th and early 15th centuries. It is part of the new Kremlin, which was built as a residence for the prince and the Moscow royal family . Several other sections of the new Kremlin were also constructed during this period.
Ivan III ruled during the 15th and 16th centuries. During his reign, the Kremlin began its period of splendor and continued to grow for the next 200 years . Notable additions included the Granovitakha Palace, the Tower of the Saviour, and the Kremlin walls. Several important buildings were constructed within the Kremlin during Ivan's reign: the Cathedral of the Annunciation, the Cathedral of the Assumption, and the Church of the Saviour. Ivan also commissioned the construction of two more cathedrals: the Cathedral of the Archangel Michael and one dedicated to the Holy Trinity. Eventually, Ivan's successor continued the expansion of the Grand Kremlin Palace.
The October Revolution of 1917 was a major turning point for the Moscow Kremlin. This event caused the Demetrius and Ascension monasteries to be replaced by government buildings. Also, the place became extremely tight with almost all public buildings closed to visitors.
The Russian government decided to restore decrepit buildings and construct the Congress Palace , the center of its political life, between 1940 and 1960.
What to visit?
A trip to Moscow without seeing the Kremlin is considered incomplete by most visitors. This is because it's one of the most important attractions in the city , as well as in all of Russia. The Moscow Kremlin contains historical buildings, churches, and museums. Interestingly, the cathedrals are arranged around a single main square, which is the heart of the Kremlin. Below, we'll describe a little about each of these places.
Kremlin Armory Museum
The Kremlin Armory is one of the world's finest museums . It houses a vast collection of unique treasures, including Fabergé eggs, clothing, weapons, armor, and jewelry. Furthermore, the museum is part of a rich cultural history that can be explored within the context of Renaissance architecture.
Bell Tower of Ivan the Great
The Ivan the Great Bell Tower was the tallest building in Moscow for over 400 years . It rises 80 meters (approximately 262 feet) above Cathedral Square, which is also the location of the Kremlin's main cathedral. The Ivan the Great Bell Tower houses a museum with a bird's-eye view of Moscow from its observation deck.
Cathedral of the Dormition
The Dormition Cathedral, also known as the Cathedral of the Assumption , is a large stone church with gilded domes and colorful iconography inside. Built of white stone, its interior is adorned with murals and five gilded domes. Interestingly, it is in this cathedral that all the tsars are crowned.
Annunciation Cathedral
This cathedral was built between the 14th and 18th centuries. Its design and decoration changed to reflect the tastes of each successive tsar. It also features gilded domes; originally there were three, but today there are nine.
Archangel Michael Cathedral
Built between 1505 and 1508 to take the place of an older temple, the Cathedral of the Archangel boasts an intense decoration consisting of beautiful frescoes from the 16th and 17th centuries, as well as striking icons and beautiful lamps.
You can also find places like the Grand Kremlin Palace, the State Kremlin Palace, and the Presidential Residence. These latter sites are not usually the main tourist attractions.
Although Red Square and Saint Basil's Cathedral are not the same as the Kremlin, many people confuse them. However, they are completely different, and they are another part of Moscow you can visit. I hope this information has been useful to you.
