The Moscow Kremlin is the centerpiece of the Russian capital. It’s the symbol, the seat of the current government, and one of the most visited sites of the country.
Originally, many Russian cities used to built kremlins, which are the Russian version of the “citadel.” The Moscow Kremlin was built as a city citadel, but the city grew bigger and expanded outside of kremlin. It now stands on the eastern side of the Red Square.
Wooden buildings started to appear on the site of the Kremlin starting from the 12th century. However, because of constant fires they were replaced by stone buildings in the 16th century.
Interestingly, the walls of Kremlin were initially pure white. Another Moscow attraction, Novodevichy Convent, was built as a replica of the Kremlin, and that’s why it still has white walls.
In fact, these walls are not simply for protection purposes. They are a living necropolis that contains the graves of the heroes of the October Revolution. In years this tradition became quite popular, and a number of renowned individuals of Russia and the Soviet Union, those who would be remembered in the history like Yuri Gagarin and Maksim Gorky, were also buried here.
Along the wall, numerous towers are nestled now and then, each bearing unique names like the Tsar’s Tower or the Ivan the Great Tower. During the WWII, the Kremlin and its towers were camouflaged as regular houses, so that Nazi bombers couldn’t spot them.
The complex includes churches with traditional Russian architecture. The list includes the Church of the Deposition of the Robe, Church of the Nativity, Cathedrals of Assumption, Annunciation and the Archangel.
The Grand Kremlin Palace has been home to the Russian tsars and it’s not hosts the Russian president. The palace was built in 1849 and contains around 700 rooms, some of which are the part of the older palaces the new one has replaced. State awards any kind of event that would be hosted by the president himself are usually held here. So, watch out when you walk around this building, crucial historical events might be happening around you.
If you’re a particular fan of palaces, don’t miss another Kremlin wonder – the Terem Palace. It’s actually the oldest building in Kremlin and has been used by the tsars before the capital was removed to St. Petersburg.
Next up is the Armory, a must-see for all travelers who visit Kremlin. This stunning museum displays the weapons, armor, and the military uniforms of regular soldiers and rulers of royal blood. However, there is one special place like nothing you have ever seen. It’s the Diamond Fund.
It’s no secret that the Russians love luxury, and they know how to surround themselves with the most expensive items in the world. That’s why the Diamond Fund is an exceptional place, where the possessions of the Russian royal families are on display. Diamond roses, crowns, jewels, anything that could be made from a shining piece of diamond. These are one-of-a-kind treasures that speak to the heart of the Russian spirit. The most important display is the 190-carat Orlov Diamond, an infamous stone that was once the eye of a Hindu deity. It was stolen by a French soldier and eventually ended up in Moscow.
Believe me, there are so many mysteries in Kremlin you can’t unveil in a day. Every single building is closely related to the history of the entire nation. It’s been the center and the heart of Russia, and will continue to stay such.
