The word Kremlin frequently appears in the news; it has become even more common since Russia began its war against Ukraine. Usually, people associate the word with the seat of power of the Russian government. Thinking that it is similar to Moncloa in Spain and the White House in the US.
However, here we are going to tell you what it's the kremlin, the most emblematic and representative site of the city of Moscow.
What is the Kremlin?
The word Kremlin derives from the fortified city which describes. The Moscow Kremlin has 27 hectares of land surrounded by 2500 meters of walls joined by 20 towers 80 meters high. The Kremlin is represented by its red walls and red star-shaped weather vanes atop its towers.
There are approximately 20 kremlins spread throughout Russia. However, the Moscow Kremlin is the most famous of all. It is a collection of cathedrals, palaces and other buildings that were built during the tsarist era. In 1990, it was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. the one in moscow, it is considered the official workplace of the president, although it is not his usual home.
Origin of the Kremlin
The Moscow Kremlin originated from a wooden fortress ordered in the XNUMXth century by Prince Yury Dolgoruky. The Mongols destroyed the castle in the XNUMXth century, and the Tatars destroyed it in another century. Although neither destruction was easy, both were ultimately achieved.
The white fortress with nine towers was ordered by Prince Dmitri Donskoi and built in the late XNUMXth and early XNUMXth centuries. It is part of the new Kremlin that already it was built as a home for the prince and the royal family of Moscow. In addition, several other sections of the new Kremlin were already built during this time.
Ivan III ruled during the XV-XVI century. During his reign the splendor of the Kremlin began; continued to grow during the following 200 years. like news the Palacio de Granovitaja, the Torre del Salvador and the wall stand out. During Ivan's reign, several important buildings were built in the Kremlin: the Annunciation Cathedral, the Assumption Cathedral and the Church of the Savior. In addition, Ivan ordered the construction of two more cathedrals: the Cathedral of the Archangel Michael and one dedicated to the Holy Trinity. Eventually, Ivan's successor went on to build 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 build the Palace of Congresses, the center of his political life, in 1940 y 1960.
What to visit?
A trip to Moscow without seeing the Kremlin is considered incomplete by most visitors. This is because it is one of the most important attractions in the city, as well as from all over Russia. The Moscow Kremlin contains historical buildings, churches and museums. As a curiosity, the cathedrals are distributed around the same main square, this being the heart of the Kremlin. Next, we are going to describe a little about each of these places.
Kremlin Armory Museum
The Kremlin Armory is one of the best museums in the world. It contains a vast collection of unique treasures, including Fabergé eggs, clothing, weapons, armor, and jewelry.
Bell Tower of Ivan the Great
The bell tower of Ivan the Great was the tallest building in Moscow for more than 400 years. It rises 80 meters, approximately 262 feet, above Cathedral Square, which is also the location of the Kremlin's main cathedral. Ivan's Bell Tower contains a museum from which you can see all of Moscow from its bird's-eye viewpoint.
Cathedral of the Dormition
The Cathedral of the Dormition is also known as the Cathedral of the Assumption; it is a large stone church with golden domes and colorful iconography inside. The church was built in white stone, and its interior is covered with murals and five domes in gold. As a curiosity, this cathedral is where all the Tsars are crowned.
Annunciation Cathedral
This cathedral was built between the XNUMXth and XNUMXth centuries. Its design and decoration changed to reflect the tastes of each successive tsar. It also has golden domes, which were originally three domes, and today it has nine golden domes.
Archangel Michael Cathedral
built between 1505 y 1508 To take the place of another older temple, the Cathedral of the Archangel has an intense decoration made up of beautiful frescoes from the XNUMXth and XNUMXth centuries, as well as striking icons and beautiful lamps.
Also, you can find some places like: the Grand Kremlin Palace, the State Kremlin Palace and the President's Residence. The latter are not usually the main focus of tourists.
Although Red Square and St. Basil's Cathedral are not the same as the Kremlin, many people confuse it. However, they are totally different, and it is yet another part of Moscow that you can visit. I hope this information has been helpful.