Moscow Kremlin

Day 2 in Moscow - 13.09.2025 brought us to one of the most iconic landmarks of Russia: the Moscow Kremlin. Often referred to simply as the Kremlin, this fortified complex lies at the very heart of Moscow and stands as a powerful symbol of Russian history, politics, and culture.

Within its high red-brick walls, the Kremlin houses an extraordinary collection of historic treasures, including five palaces, four magnificent cathedrals, and numerous towers that punctuate the surrounding Kremlin Wall. Among its most notable structures is the Grand Kremlin Palace, once a lavish residence of the Russian Tsars and today the official residence of the President of the Russian Federation.

The Kremlin’s commanding position offers spectacular views: it overlooks the Moskva River to the south, faces the legendary Red Square and the colorful domes of Saint Basil’s Cathedral to the east, and borders the peaceful Alexander Garden to the west.

A visit here is more than sightseeing - it’s a journey into the very heart of Russia’s past and present.

Standing at the northern entrance to the Moscow Kremlin, with the majestic Troitskaya Tower rising in the backdrop.

*****************************************************

The Arsenal in the Moscow Kremlin was originally constructed in the early 18th century (1702–1736) on the orders of Peter the Great, intended as a storage place for weapons and military equipment. Today, the exterior is decorated with captured cannons from Napoleon’s army (1812). This is one of the historic structures within the Kremlin complex and is still used by the Russian military.

During Napoleon’s invasion of Moscow in 1812, French troops occupied the Kremlin, including the Arsenal. When they retreated, Napoleon ordered the Kremlin to be blown up, and the Arsenal was severely damaged in the explosions. After the war, the building was restored again in the 1820s.

******************************************************

The State Kremlin Palace.

******************************************************

The Senatskiy Dvorets, or Senate Palace, is one of the most significant historic buildings within the Moscow Kremlin. Commissioned by Empress Catherine the Great in the late 18th, it was constructed between 1776 and 1787 to serve as the home of the Moscow branch of the Governing Senate, the highest judicial and administrative authority in Russia at the time.

Architecturally, the palace is a prime example of Russian neoclassicism, showcasing Kazakov’s skill through its symmetrical layout, monumental colonnades, and a striking central rotunda crowned by a dome. It was among the first structures in Moscow purpose-built for a state institution, rather than as a royal residence or religious building.

During the 18th and 19th centuries, the Senate Palace functioned as the administrative and judicial hub of the Russian Empire in Moscow. Following the 1917 Revolution, the Bolsheviks seized the Kremlin, and the palace was incorporated into the new Soviet government complex. Notably, Vladimir Lenin used an office in the building after the capital was moved from Petrograd (St. Petersburg) back to Moscow in 1918.

Today, the Senate Palace serves as the official working residence of the President of the Russian Federation. Since the 1990s, it has been the primary Kremlin office of the Russian president, used by Vladimir Putin and his predecessors. While closed to the public due to its governmental role, the building remains a vital part of the Moscow Kremlin ensemble, recognized globally as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

*****************************************************

From Ivanovskaya Square, visitors can catch sight of the Tsar Tower, with the iconic domes of St. Basil’s Cathedral rising in the background to the right.

*****************************************************

Group photo in front of the Annunciation Cathedral.

Left: Cathedral of the Assumption(Dormition Cathedral). Right: Patriarch's Palace and the Church of the Twelve Apostles.

In front of the Cathedral of the Assumption.

With two other tour members - Eugene and his wife Carol from KL.

The Cathedral of the Assumption in the Moscow Kremlin is one of Russia’s most important historic churches, serving for centuries as the spiritual, political, and ceremonial heart of the state.

Standing on Cathedral Square beside the Archangel Cathedral, the Annunciation Cathedral, and the Ivan the Great Bell Tower, it was commissioned by Ivan III and built between 1475-1479 - blended in traditional Russian forms with Renaissance engineering.

The cathedral’s five golden domes symbolize Christ and the Four Evangelists, while its white limestone walls and lofty frescoed interior create an atmosphere of solemn majesty. Its solid construction enabled it to withstand fires and even Napoleon’s 1812 occupation.

It was the main cathedral of Muscovy and the Russian Empire, hosting coronations from Ivan the Terrible in 1547 to Nicholas II in 1896, as well as enthronements, royal weddings, and funerals. Key moments include the proclamation of Michael Romanov as tsar in 1613, marking the start of the Romanov dynasty.

Closed after the 1917 Revolution, it later reopened as a museum, with services resuming in the 1990s. Today, it remains a powerful symbol of Russia’s faith, monarchy, and national identity.

***************************************************

The local tour guide took considerable time to explain the historical and cultural significance of two prominent monuments in the Square - the Tsar Cannon and the Tsar Bell, also known as the Broken Bell.

Top Left Photo: The Tsar Cannon, standing prominently on Ivanovskaya Square, close to the Cathedral of the Twelve Apostles and the Grand Kremlin Palace. Resting on an ornate cast-iron carriage crafted in 1835, the cannon is accompanied by four oversized decorative cannonballs. These balls, however, are purely symbolic - each far too large to fit into the barrel - and serve only to enhance its monumental appearance.

Commissioned by Tsar Fyodor Ivanovich, the son of Ivan the Terrible, the cannon was cast in 1586 by master craftsman Andrey Chokhov. Made entirely of bronze, it is a masterpiece of 16th-century Russian artillery casting. The cannon is truly colossal, weighing approximately 39.3 tons, stretching 5.34m (17.5 feet) in length, and boasting a caliber of 890 mm (35 inches), making it one of the largest-caliber cannons ever created in the world.

Although designed as a siege weapon intended to fire massive stone grapeshot, the Tsar Cannon was never practical for warfare due to its enormous size and weight. While traces of gunpowder suggest it may have been test-fired once, it was never used in battle. Instead, its true purpose was largely symbolic - to embody the might, authority, and grandeur of the Russian Tsar.

Today, the Tsar Cannon stands not only as a technical marvel of its era but also as a ceremonial monument, admired for its intricate bronze reliefs and monumental scale. Like the nearby Tsar Bell, which is the largest bell ever cast but was never rung, the Tsar Cannon represents Russia’s historic tradition of creating record-breaking artifacts that combine artistry with political symbolism.

Top Right Photo: The so-called “broken big bell” in the Moscow Kremlin is the legendary Tsar Bell (Tsar Kolokol) - the largest bell ever cast in the world. Despite its monumental size and exquisite craftsmanship, it has never been rung, as it cracked during a fire in 1737 before it could be installed.

Weighing an astonishing 201 tons and standing over 6 m (20 feet) tall, the Tsar Bell was cast between 1733 and 1735 on the orders of Empress Anna Ioannovna, the niece of Peter the Great. Its creators sought not only size but beauty: the bell was made of bronze enriched with silver and gold to enhance its resonance, and its surface is richly adorned with reliefs of saints, portraits of Russian rulers, and elaborate inscriptions.

Tragedy struck during a Kremlin fire in 1737 while the bell was still in its casting pit. In an attempt to save it from the flames, cold water was poured over the superheated metal. The sudden temperature change caused it to fracture, and a colossal 11.5-ton section broke away.

As a result, the Tsar Bell was never hoisted into a tower or rung. Instead, it remains on display beside the Ivan the Great Bell Tower, both a masterpiece of Russian artistry and a symbol of ambition undone by misfortune.