The Moscow Kremlin and Red Square are the main ones of Russia. Twenty towers and the same number of walls were, in fact, a grandiose fortification for protection against enemy attacks. Currently, the fortress has lost its fortification purpose. The Moscow Kremlin and Red Square are the calling card of Russia, its cultural heritage.

Main attractions

The Kremlin is located on the Moscow River, on its left bank, high along the perimeter there are several passage towers, the rest are of an architectural and historical nature. The main tower of the ensemble is Spasskaya; there is a chiming clock on it, by which it is customary to celebrate the New Year throughout the country. The watch always shows the exact, reference time. The Spasskaya Tower is a separate landmark of Moscow, but its interior is closed to tourists.

The Moscow Kremlin and Red Square are connected together and complement each other. Vasilyevsky Descent begins from the Spasskaya Tower, leading to the Moscow River, Zamoskvoretsky Bridge and the corner Beklemishevskaya Tower.

Ancient Kremlin

In the 16th century, the Kremlin streets were expanded and improved: Nikolskaya, Chudovskaya and Spasskaya. This was done to resettle numerous boyars and representatives of the clergy, who literally filled the territory of the Kremlin, settling for permanent residence with their families. The vacated zones began to be built up. In 1552, the Ivan the Great belfry received an extension in the form of the Church of the Resurrection, then the Churches of the Three Saints and the Solovetsky Wonderworkers appeared in the courtyard of the Metropolitans. The Grand Duke's palace was radically rebuilt. The royal family received the Bed Chambers near the Church of the Savior on Bor.

The main attractions of the Moscow Kremlin and Red Square

In the Kremlin there are:

• the Armory Museum, where unique exhibits are collected: royal carriages and clothes of monarchs, the world famous Monomakh hat, a collection of Easter eggs from a Russian jeweler;
• three grandiose cathedrals: Arkhangelsk, Annunciation and Assumption.
• Church of the Deposition of the Robe;
• museum exhibit Tsar Bell;
• belfry "Ivan the Great";
• The Tsar Cannon, a unique weapon.

What is on Red Square?

The main square of Moscow is famous for St. Basil's Cathedral; its other name - Pokrovsky Cathedral of stunning beauty was created during the reign of Ivan the Terrible in honor of the conquest of Kazan. The architectural value of the cathedral has not yet been determined. This greatest masterpiece of temple architecture was created by architects named Postnik and Barma. Nine churches are brought together. Each has its own name. In the center is the Church of the Intercession of the Virgin. Then follow:

• church chapel of the Three Patriarchs;
• Holy Trinity;
• Nikola Velikoretsky;
• Cyprian and Ustinya;
• the entry of the Lord into Jerusalem;
• Gregory of Armenian;
• Alexander Svirsky;
• Varlaam Khutynsky.

In close proximity to the Intercession Cathedral there is a monument to Minin and Pozharsky. A little further is Lobnoye Place, where public executions were carried out. Next lies the vast expanse of Red Square, covered with paving stones. At the end is the Russian Museum. On the left, along Red Square, it stretches and ends with the Nikolskaya travel tower.

Until recently, the public was interested in the mausoleum of V.I. Lenin and the section of the Kremlin wall with honorary burials. Today everything there is planted with blue spruce trees, but this area is not popular. On the opposite side of Red Square is GUM, Moscow's oldest department store.

While illuminating Red Square, we can mention the annual parade of military equipment that takes place on the square on May 9th.

During Soviet times, many buildings of the Moscow Kremlin were destroyed. Moreover, this was done as a result of official directives of the Soviet government. The Moscow Kremlin and Red Square were not considered the property of Soviet power. Especially many exhibits were damaged as a result of the barbaric actions of militant atheists. Many sights of the Moscow Kremlin and Red Square were damaged. The letter of the People's Commissar of Education Lunacharsky, which he sent to the Chairman of the USSR Central Executive Committee Kalinin in order to prevent further destruction, was considered harmful, anti-communist and anti-Soviet. Two of the oldest Kremlin monasteries, Voznesensky and Chudov, were immediately demolished.

Renaissance

The Moscow Kremlin and Red Square were successfully restored in the post-Soviet period. Cathedrals and museums are active, and new exhibits are appearing. There is no clear answer to the question of which of the sights of the Moscow Kremlin and Red Square is the most interesting. All the sights are grandiose, each in its own way. The Armory Chamber, Intercession Cathedral and the Russian Museum leave a particularly strong impression of the Moscow Kremlin and Red Square. It is also impossible to pass by church ensembles, Cathedral Square, and other sacred buildings of antiquity. The exact answer to the question of which of the sights of the Moscow Kremlin and Red Square is the most significant will be given by the Moscow Antiquities Competition, scheduled for 2016.

The Moscow Kremlin is an unsurpassed historical and architectural monument, which long ago became not only the calling card of the Russian capital, but also a symbol of our entire mighty country. Every building and every landmark of the Kremlin is a fascinating page from the history of the city.

On the territory enclosed by powerful Kremlin walls, there are golden-domed temples, elegant palaces, royal chambers, cozy public gardens and spacious squares. Everything here is literally imbued with centuries-old history - ancient bells and cannons, buildings unsurpassed in their beauty and world-famous museums, within the walls of which the memory of so many events and so many names is carefully preserved... In a word, you can talk about the Kremlin for hours. Today we will talk about several of the most interesting sights of the Moscow Kremlin. Believe me, they really deserve your attention!

Grand Kremlin Palace

The Grand Kremlin Palace, the construction of which began in the 38th year of the 19th century, is probably one of the best monuments not only to military glory, but also to the entire Russian history!

The total area of ​​the palace complex, which, in addition to the Grand Palace itself, included a number of buildings from the XV-XVII centuries. (palace temples, Terem Palace, Tsaritsyn, Golden and Faceted Chambers), is about 25 thousand square meters. There are no less than seven hundred beautiful rooms, each of which is beautiful in its own way. The unique interior decoration and decoration of the halls is designed in several different styles, ranging from the Russian-Byzantine style to the Renaissance.

Cathedrals of the Moscow Kremlin

The Moscow Kremlin with its stunning architectural monuments has become famous throughout the world. Some of its brightest attractions are the golden-domed cathedrals and temples, which simply need to be discussed in more detail.

Assumption Cathedral

The construction of the main Kremlin cathedral, which was destined to become the real pride of Russia, dates back to the second half of the 15th century. Currently, the Assumption Church has been given the status of the oldest example of temple architecture.

You can get to the church from the Cathedral Square. A wide staircase ending in three beautiful semicircular arches leads to the main entrance, which is supposedly guarded by an angel along with the Archangel Michael. A little above the picturesque portal you can see high-quality multi-colored frescoes with figures of saints, right above which the Mother of God is depicted holding the baby Jesus in her arms.

The inside of the Assumption Cathedral is as beautiful as the outside. The central part of the temple is separated from the altar by an ancient multi-tiered iconostasis, which is covered with gilded chased silver. In front of the iconostasis is the face of St. George - the oldest icon in the temple.

St. Basil's Cathedral

Today, the Intercession Cathedral (St. Basil's Cathedral), without undue modesty, can be called one of the most recognizable buildings on our planet. This is not only an Orthodox shrine, but also an unusually beautiful architectural monument. The church, erected in the 60s of the 16th century, is a truly magnificent sculptural structure, crowned with unusually beautiful figured domes, each of which is distinguished by its stunning pattern.

For Muscovites and guests of the city, there is a museum at St. Basil's Cathedral. All visitors have the opportunity, climbing the spiral staircase, to admire the beautiful ancient frescoes and oil paintings decorating the walls, the intricate patterns of the internal gallery, the iconostasis with ancient icons, as well as church utensils used in the 16th-19th centuries.

Blagoveshchensky cathedral

In the southwest of Cathedral Square, the Annunciation Church stands out as a bright spot, where since the beginning of 1993, solemn services have been held on the Feast of the Annunciation.

The construction of the nine-domed cathedral with gilded domes was carried out in the spirit of early Moscow architecture using elements of Pskov architecture. Thanks to this, today we can admire the cross-domed, three-apse, four-pillar church, the drums of the domes of which are decorated with a runner and a brick curb.

The Annunciation Church is well known far beyond Moscow. An important role in this was played by the unique cathedral painting, the grandiose church iconostasis - a real masterpiece of Russian art, and the main relics kept in the cathedral - the cross of Tsar Constantine and the ancient miraculous face of the Pimenov Mother of God.

Cathedral of the Archangel

One of the most unique cultural and historical monuments surrounding Cathedral Square in the Kremlin is the five-domed, eight-altar Archangel Cathedral. The construction of the temple was led by A. Novy, a famous Venetian architect specially invited to Russia. The Italian master made every effort to ensure that his temple stood out against the background of neighboring cathedrals. This was achieved through the abundant use of white stone Renaissance decor, which, in combination with red brick walls, gave the building a colorful and truly festive look.

It is quite interesting to note the fact that this cathedral has always been characterized by a special ritual purpose. After all, the temple served as a tomb in which almost all Russian rulers who died before the founding of St. Petersburg were buried.

Nowadays, solemn services are held in the Archangel Cathedral on patronal holidays. On any other days there is a museum here, which will be really interesting to visit. The inside of the temple is decorated with an ancient chandelier and a high wooden iconostasis with gilding. By the way, most of the icons in this temple date back to the 15th-17th centuries. In addition, the three main shrines of the cathedral deserve attention - the relics of Demetrius Donskoy, Tsarevich Demetrius and Mikhail of Chernigov.

Moscow Kremlin Museums

Armouries

Without a doubt, a tour of the Kremlin's sights will be incomplete without a trip to the Armory Chamber - a stunning treasury museum, the richest collections of which will not leave anyone indifferent. The main part of the museum collection is represented by unique precious objects, most of which were kept for centuries in the sacristy of the patriarch or in the royal treasury.

In the Armory you can see with your own eyes items of ceremonial horse harness, state regalia with a long history, outfits for coronations, royal ceremonial dresses, a collection of various carriages, all kinds of weapons, vestments of servants of the Orthodox Church, exquisite items made of precious metals and much more.

Diamond fund

Today, the doors of the Diamond Fund, one of the best attractions on the territory of the Kremlin, are open for free visits. It is in this stunning museum that there is an exhibition, by visiting which everyone can see a collection of unprecedented treasures, the fame of which has already spread throughout the world!

The current exhibition, which was started by Peter the Great himself, is located in two separate halls. Not just beautiful and unusual precious stones are exhibited here, but real works of art that have their own history and legend.

State Historical Museum

On the main square of the country, right in the very heart of Moscow, one of the best and largest museum centers in the city opens its doors - the State Historical Museum, whose holdings number millions of unique exhibits. The unique exhibitions of this museum perfectly reflect absolutely all periods in the history of the country, from ancient times to the last century.

The permanent exhibition, arranged in strict chronological order, occupies two entire floors! Moreover, each hall is assigned to a specific era (the times of the primitive communal system, the Bronze Age, the early Middle Ages, the Old Russian state, Russian culture of the 16th-17th centuries, etc.).

Tsar Cannon

The most interesting landmark of the magnificent Moscow Kremlin is the Tsar Cannon - one of the best examples of artillery pieces. This large-caliber firearm, listed in the Guinness Book of Records, is guaranteed to be worth seeing for all tourists who set out to see all the outstanding monuments of the capital.

Today, an amazing cannon flaunts on the picturesque square, just between the Church of the 12 Apostles and the bell tower. A true masterpiece of weapons craftsmanship was made closer to the last decade of the 16th century in accordance with the decree of the sovereign father Fyodor Ivanovich. The largest cannon in the world was created by the famous master of his craft, the court foundry maker A. Chokhov. The weight of the gun is almost 40 tons, and its caliber is 890 mm. The bronze barrel of the Tsar Cannon is decorated with memorable texts, ornamental patterns, cast figured friezes and, of course, the equestrian figure of the Sovereign Autocrat.

Many historians often call the cannon that adorns the Kremlin “the first capital miracle.” And there really is something in this. After all, the weapon is notable not only for its antiquity, craftsmanship, formidable beauty and colossal size. The Tsar Cannon never had the chance to take part in a single combat battle!

The Tsar Bell

On the territory of the Moscow Kremlin, at the foot of a three-tiered bell tower, the largest bell on the planet is on public display - an excellent museum example of Russian foundry art.

As you know, from time immemorial the Russian people have loved everything big and majestic. Therefore, it is hardly surprising that the dimensions of the Tsar Bell were simply colossal: weight - about 205 tons with a height of more than 6 meters.

This miracle was cast during 1733-1735. masters of bell making and hereditary foundry workers - father and son of Motorina. The decree on the creation of the Tsar Bell was signed by the Russian Empress Anna Ioannovna from the Romanov dynasty, who wanted to replace with it the bell of A. Grigoriev, which broke in 1701 when it fell from the bell tower.

The new bell came out truly magnificent. Its decoration was rich ornamentation and very intricate relief. At the very top, in the stamps, images of John the Baptist (considered the patron angel of Tsar Ivan V), the Holy Prophetess Anna (the angel of the Empress), the Apostle Peter, the Blessed Virgin Mary and the Son of God Jesus Christ are clearly visible. Below are portraits of Anna Ioannovna and Alexei Mikhailovich, the second Russian Tsar from the House of Romanov, separated by figured cartouches with flowers and baroque scrolls.

Red Square

Climbing from the embankment of the Moscow River up Vasilievsky Spusk you can get straight to Red Square - the most famous square in Moscow, which has become one of the unchanging symbols of Russia.

The total territory occupied by Red Square exceeds 23.1 km². Moreover, its width is 70 m and its length is about 330 m. The main square of the country is one of the best walking areas in the capital.

The unique and inimitable architectural ensemble of the square is recognized as a world heritage monument, included in the UNESCO list of protected sites. At the southern end of the square is a stunning cathedral known as St. Basil's Church. To the north rises the Kazan Cathedral and the building of the State Historical Museum. And from the west and east the area is limited by the Kremlin walls and GUM.

For decades, Russia's most beautiful square has enjoyed low popularity among Muscovites and foreign tourists. There really is something to see here! Directly on the square itself you can see the monument to Minin and Pozharsky, Lobnoye Mesto - an interesting ancient monument of Russian architecture, as well as the tomb monument of V. Lenin and I. Stalin, not far from which there are burial places of outstanding people who lived and worked in the USSR.

Execution place

The Moscow Kremlin, and especially Red Square, is incredibly rich in amazing architectural monuments. Among them, the so-called “Execution Place”, located slightly to the left of the world famous St. Basil’s Cathedral, deserves special attention.

Initially, the building, which appeared here at the beginning of the 16th century, looked like a low brick platform, the perimeter of which was fenced with a wooden fence. It was from here that reigning persons and high-ranking officials made solemn speeches to the people, read out new decrees, and also announced sentences to criminals. According to tradition, future royal heirs were carried to Lobnoye Place in the arms. This was done with one sole purpose - to prevent the possibility of any impostors seizing the throne.

Currently, Lobnoye Mesto has become an integral part of the architectural appearance of Red Square. Behind a beautiful cast-iron fence rises a round white stone platform. You can climb to the upper platform by 11 steps leading to the entrance with a wrought-iron door.

Until recently, there was one interesting belief among tourists: those who want to visit the Moscow Kremlin again must throw a coin inside the Execution Ground.

Monument to Kuzma Minin and Dmitry Pozharsky

In the very center of the Russian capital you can see an incredibly beautiful and interesting monument to the great Russian prince Dmitry Pozharsky and Kuzma Minin, which was destined to become the best creation of the incredibly talented sculptor I. P. Martos.

The grand opening of the monument, which today has become one of the brightest “calling cards” of Moscow, took place at the end of the winter of 1818. The ceremony, which attracted countless crowds of people, was personally honored by the presence of the All-Russian Emperor Alexander I himself and his wife Empress Elizaveta Alekseevna.

This is truly a legendary monument, immortalizing the people's heroism and the greatest feat of two outstanding people. On a huge granite pedestal, richly decorated with beautiful convex bas-reliefs, stands a successful sculptural group that embodies the feelings and thoughts of people who survived the hardships of the Patriotic War. Despite the fact that the bronze Minin and Pozharsky are dressed in sandals and clothes characteristic of most ancient sculptures, their figures and faces, filled with determination, are fully consistent with the Russian character. Kuzma Minin, pointing with one hand towards the city, hands over an ancient heavy sword to Prince Dmitry Pozharsky, thereby inviting the latter to lead the Russian army. The governor, weakened due to his wounds, holding onto his shield, tries to rise from his bed, which is a symbol of the awakening of the people's consciousness in the most difficult time for his native Fatherland.

Ivan the Great belltower

On Cathedral Square, which has become the real center of the Moscow Kremlin, a stunningly beautiful 16th-century structure rises to the clouds, uniting all the ancient Kremlin churches into a single architectural ensemble. This is the majestic snow-white bell tower “Ivan the Great”, a real miracle of architectural mastery!

In architectural terms, the bell tower is a multi-tiered building in the shape of a pillar, consisting of elongated octahedrons stacked on top of each other, which gradually taper towards the top. Any of these octahedrons is characterized by the presence of an open gallery and a spacious terrace. The tiered galleries house ancient bells - beautiful masterpieces of foundry art, decorated with various inscriptions, beautiful relief images and intricate ornamental patterns.

More details

In November, back in 1702, Peter I ordered the construction of a majestic building on the territory from the Trinity to the Nikolsky Gates, according to his personal drawings, in which it was planned to open an Armory House, which would be a kind of storage facility for military trophies and samples of Russian weapons.

The Zeichhaus was built in turn by several of the best architects of the time. The construction of the Arsenal was finally completed only in 1736. The monumental two-story brick building perfectly complemented the architectural appearance of the ancient Kremlin. According to its plan, the building is somewhat similar to an elongated trapezoid with a spacious courtyard, which can be accessed through several entrances highlighted by porticoes that combine features of two popular styles - classicism and baroque. Along the entire facade, smooth walls are cut through by two rows of paired arched windows with a semicircular top and deep hewn slopes. The lower floor of the Arsenal deserves special attention. Thanks to the amazing painting technique, it seems as if it was made of stone blocks.

After the war between Napoleonic France and Russia, a museum with a collection of exhibits from the Patriotic War was to open in Zeichhaus. For this purpose, all kinds of captured artillery pieces were brought to the Arsenal building, which were subsequently placed along its facades. A number of Russian guns were relocated here in 1960. Today, all the weapons near the walls of the Arsenal are exhibits of numerous Kremlin museums.

Towers of the Moscow Kremlin

The existing walls and 20 Kremlin towers were built from 1485 to 1495. Each tower has its own history and its own unique architectural appearance. Most of them got their names in honor of nearby buildings, churches, or by the names of boyars living nearby. Once upon a time, any of the twenty towers served a defensive function. Now, thanks to their beautiful architectural forms, their role has changed to cultural and aesthetic.

Red Square in Moscow is one of the main symbols of the city, and the country as a whole. This is the most popular attraction among tourist groups and city visitors. This is where those who have to spend only a few hours in the capital come.

Red Square.

However, the residents of Moscow themselves do not deny themselves the pleasure of walking along the cobblestone square, looking into GUM, visiting museums, seeing the Moscow Manege or visiting temples and cathedrals located near the Kremlin walls. The historical significance and importance of many events are acutely felt here, and the mixture of eras creates a bizarre ensemble in which, with each visit, you can find something new, previously unknown.

Please note that some of the attractions are located directly on the territory of the Kremlin (we will note this in the article). You can get there either as part of an excursion group or individually, but in any case the visit will be paid. Tickets can be purchased at one of the ticket offices (the main one is located in the Alexander Garden near the Kremlin walls), but there may be queues during the tourist season. You can buy tickets online:

1. On the official website - Federal State Budgetary Institution “State Historical and Cultural Museum-Reserve “Moscow Kremlin”. Tickets are usually sold no later than two days before the visit. The purchased ticket must be printed and exchanged for an entrance ticket at the box office.
2. A more simplified option for purchasing tickets online is specialized sites for booking excursions, where you can choose the date of your visit more flexibly. There are many such sites, one of the most famous is:

Moscow Kremlin and Red Square

Ending at Vasilyevsky Spusk and beginning at the Resurrection Gate of Kitay-Gorod, Red Square is the territorial center of the capital, which, as is known, has a radial-ring layout.

Vasilyevsky Spusk: leads from Red Square to Moskvoretskaya Embankment.

Entrance to Red Square through the Resurrection Gate from the Okhotny Ryad metro station.

It is here that the streets begin, which later turn into the largest transport arteries of the big city. On the square itself there are objects sacred to Russian history.

For example, where public executions were carried out, royal decrees were announced, and other important public events were held. For the first time, Lobnoye Mesto was mentioned in the chronicles of 1549.

Execution place.

No less famous is the leaders of the people's militia during times of unrest.

Monument to Minin and Pozharsky.

It was installed in 1818, but on a historical site, in the center of the square (next to the modern GUM), it stood only until 1930, after which it was moved closer to another landmark - the Intercession Cathedral.

Lenin Mausoleum- the tomb of the first head of the USSR and a place of many years of tourist pilgrimage. In addition to the Mausoleum, tourist groups usually visit the Necropolis located here - the burial place of participants in the October Revolution of 1917, as well as state and military leaders of the country.

Lenin's Mausoleum and Spasskaya Tower of the Moscow Kremlin in the background.

But the main pearl of Red Square, of course, is Moscow Kremlin and its Spasskaya Tower, well known far beyond Russia. It is this architectural monument, erected in 1491, that the country sees during the chiming clock on New Year's Eve and the traditional congratulations of citizens by the President of the Russian Federation.

Museums and historical sights of Red Square

The building of which is located opposite the Intercession Cathedral, was erected in the second half of the 19th century. Like most of the buildings on the square, it is made of red brick, and its turrets are crowned with the heraldic symbols of imperial greatness: lions, eagles and unicorns. The museum's gigantic exhibition includes more than 4 million (!) items. It covers the history of Russia from ancient times to the beginning of the 20th century.

State Historical Museum on Red Square.

Armory Chamber and Diamond Fund They are part of the Moscow Kremlin museums and have been in operation since the times of the Russian Empire. It is here that relics of national significance are kept. In particular, the Diamond Fund contains the large and small imperial crown, the scepter with the legendary Orlov diamond and many other valuables that are a national treasure.

Palace Square on the territory of the Moscow Kremlin.

The Armory contains real historical relics from the 12th to 18th centuries, including carriages used for trips of the royal family, items of ceremonial decoration for horse-drawn carriages, samples of fabric and material, ceremonial and military weapons, accessories made of gold and silver, and much more. other. (note: The Armory Chamber and the Diamond Fund are located on the territory of the Kremlin).

The Armory Chamber on the territory of the Moscow Kremlin.

Temple complexes of Red Square

Cathedral Square of the Kremlin- a special place, which today preserves majestic shrines and at the same time masterpieces of stone architecture. Borovitsky Hill, from which the construction of the Kremlin and temple complexes began, today greets guests with the domes of the Archangel, Assumption and Annunciation Cathedrals, as well as the Church of the Deposition of the Robe and the Bell Tower of Ivan the Great. (note: Cathedral Square is located on the territory of the Kremlin).

On Red Square itself, outside the Kremlin, there is also a place for offering prayers. Kazan Cathedral is a striking example of the best traditions of stone architecture of the 17th century. A bell tower-tent and multi-tiered decorations in the form of kokoshniks crown its crown. The cathedral was completely destroyed in 1936, and now it is difficult to believe that this architectural masterpiece reappeared here only in the nineties of the 20th century, when the city authorities decided to restore the historical appearance of the square and recreated the Kazan Cathedral with detailed accuracy using historical documents and sketches.

Kazan Cathedral on Red Square.

St. Basil's Cathedral in fact, it is called Pokrovsky (in honor of the Intercession of the Virgin Mary), and only one of its churches is actually named after the saint who gave the popular name to the entire temple complex. The majestic building with nine domes is one of the most popular Russian cultural heritage sites for tourists.

Walks and entertainment on Red Square

GUM- the main department store of the capital today has turned into not just a luxurious shopping complex where you can find everything your heart desires, it is a meeting place and pleasant walks. Cultural and entertainment events regularly take place here, and in winter the area in front of the store turns into a huge, festively decorated skating rink.

GUM on Red Square.

GUM on Red Square.

GUM on Red Square.

Alexander Garden, located on the northwestern side of the Kremlin walls, is one of the most beautiful parks in Moscow. Famous fountains and alleys, the legendary Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, numerous monuments and sculptures, rare species of trees and shrubs make this place very attractive for leisurely walks.

Alexander Garden near Red Square.

Alexander Garden near Red Square.

Alexander Garden near Red Square.

Alexander Garden near Red Square.

Moscow Manege- a legendary exhibition hall, originally built in 1817, but underwent reconstruction after a fire in the early 2000s. Today, the largest festivals and exhibitions in a variety of art styles are held here. A building with a two-hundred-year history continues to attract those who sincerely love and know how to appreciate the beauty of the world around us.

The capital of Russia, Moscow, and its main symbol, Red Square, welcomes guests from all over the world all year round.

First transfer hub:

Metro stations: "Okhotny Ryad", "Teatralnaya" and "Revolution Square" are located closer to the main entrance to Red Square.

Second transfer hub:

Metro stations: “Alexandrovsky Sad”, “Lenin Library”, “Borovitskaya” and “Arbatskaya” are located closer to the Alexander Garden.

It is worth mentioning that we have lined up all the sights of Red Square into a specific walking route, which you can easily use by downloading mobile application from Ever.Travel for iPhone or Android. In the application, you can not only use this route, but also create your own walks around Moscow, and even completely plan your entire trip.

In the application, just like on this page, all the attractions of Red Square in Moscow are described and arranged into a walking tour, and are also marked on an offline map. Therefore, even if you have never been to the center of the capital, you can easily figure out where you are from and where you need to go.

We suggest starting your walk from the Alexander Garden and going through Manezhnaya Square to Red Square. So, go ahead!

We will begin our walk at the Alexander Garden - a place known to all Muscovites and guests of the Russian capital. Convenient location close to many attractions, manicured lawns and luxurious flower beds, wide alleys and shady trees make it a wonderful place to relax.

The park's area is ten hectares - quite enough to wander among the trees in the very center of Moscow and escape from the city noise. There are always a lot of people here who want to relax and have fun. In spring and summer it’s nice to soak up the sun, and in winter it’s nice to go sledding down the hills that are built every year specifically for this purpose.

The Alexander Garden, as the name suggests, was laid out by order of Emperor Alexander I at the beginning of the 19th century, when Moscow was recovering from the destruction left by Napoleon's army. The project by architect Osip Bove included three sections - Upper, Lower and Middle gardens. Nowadays, this division is more conditional than official, although the entrance to the Lower Garden is closed to visitors.

In the Upper Garden you can see the “Ruins” grotto, which serves as a reminder of the Patriotic War of 1812. Also at the entrance to the garden is the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and the Eternal Flame - a memorial complex in honor of those killed during the Great Patriotic War.

Our next stop is the Moscow Manege - a historical building, which today is one of the largest museum and exhibition centers. After a major fire in 2004 destroyed the interiors and damaged the exterior of the building, the Manege was extensively rebuilt. Before this, the most extensive restoration work was carried out in it in the 1930s.

During its entire existence, the Manege, which was initially an exclusively militaristic project where soldiers were supposed to undergo drills, served for the benefit of the army for only a few years.

Since 1831, various exhibitions began to be organized here - both cultural and technical: the huge room could fit an entire cavalry regiment, so there was enough space for any exhibits.

After the fall of the tsarist regime, the practice of using the Manege as a demonstration pavilion was picked up by the Soviet government, and subsequently by the Russian Federation. However, in the first half of the 20th century, a garage for government cars was located in the historical building for some time.

The architectural style of the Manege gravitates towards strict classicism, which at one time was a symbolic contrast to the previous medieval buildings, destroyed in the fire of the War of 1812. The project was proposed by the architect Augustin Bettencourt, and the Empire style facades were made by Osip Bove.

Flickr, astikhin

Manezhnaya Square today can be considered as a logical continuation of the park area of ​​the Alexander Garden. It was formed in the 1930s, when a large group of buildings located near the Manege were demolished for the construction of the metro.

In 1967, the square acquired a new name - the 50th anniversary of the October Revolution, and at the same time they planned to erect a monument on it in honor of the anniversary of the Revolution, but this idea did not come true.

The 1990s were marked by the return of the square to its historical name and grandiose reconstructions under the leadership of Zurab Tsereteli. A huge underground complex “Okhotny Ryad” opened underground, and a cascade of fountains with sculptures appeared on top.

Timed to coincide with the celebration of the 850th anniversary of Moscow, the reconstruction actually turned Manezhnaya Square into a symbol of the new, modern Russia. In 1995, a monument to Georgy Zhukov was erected in the eastern part of the square.

A memorial in honor of Soviet soldiers who died in the name of the Great Victory in the war against Nazi Germany appeared near the Kremlin walls in the Alexander Garden in 1966, to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the liberation of Moscow. The ashes of an unknown soldier taken from a mass grave were buried here.

A year later, the famous architectural ensemble of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier was opened on this site. The eternal flame was lit from the fire on the Leningrad Field of Mars. The lighting was solemnly carried out by L.I. Brezhnev, accepting the torch from the hands of Hero of the Soviet Union Alexei Maresyev.

The main guard post of Russia, known as the Guard of Honor or simply “Post No. 1,” is on duty at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. The sentries of the Presidential Regiment change once an hour. Previously, they guarded the Lenin Mausoleum, but in 1997, by Presidential Decree, the post was moved to the memorial.

The architectural composition of the memorial is extremely simple - a lying battle flag, on it is a soldier’s helmet and a laurel sprig. It is this simplicity and laconicism that evokes the strongest emotions, recalling the feat of Soviet soldiers who died in the name of peace and the Fatherland. “Your name is unknown, your feat is immortal” - you can read at the Eternal Flame.

Flickr, thisisbossi

The monument to Marshal of the Soviet Union Georgy Zhukov was originally planned to be erected directly on Red Square. However, this turned out to be impossible: the architectural ensemble of Red Square is a UNESCO world cultural heritage site, and no changes can be made to it.

So, the monument to the great Soviet commander appeared in 1995 on Manezhnaya Square. The authors managed to make it realistic and at the same time deeply symbolic. Experts note a significant portrait resemblance and a clearly expressed strong-willed character of the sculpture.

Thematically, the monumental composition depicts a specific moment of the Victory Parade, which took place on June 22, 1945 on Red Square. Georgy Konstantinovich Zhukov is depicted on a horse, raised in stirrups, with his right hand raised. The horse tramples defeated Nazi flags and standards with its hooves.

We also note that some critics believe that the monument is located a little poorly: it is lost in the shadow of the wall of the Historical Museum.

By the way, almost all the most expensive and pretentious hotels in Moscow are located in the area of ​​Manezhnaya and Red Square. Of course, you can stay there during your visit to the capital, but there are many other, more affordable and no less interesting offers. The most convenient way to find a suitable hotel is on the website Booking.com, where there are more than 1,200 accommodation options in Moscow.

Flickr, FinsUp0531

Between Manezhnaya and Red Square, very close to the Resurrection Gate, one of the sights of Moscow is hidden. You may not notice at first that under your feet there is the Zero Kilometer, from which all the roads of endless Russia are counted.

In fact, the “real” zero kilometer is located not far from the Central Telegraph, but for a symbolic marker, documentary accuracy is not so important.

Zero kilometer in the form of a visual object appeared here in 1995. The creation of the famous Moscow sculptor Alexander Rukavishnikov is a round metal sign built into the paving stones, on which is inscribed “Zero kilometer of highways of the Russian Federation.”

Please note that it is roads that are mentioned, because there is also the Zero Kilometer railway - it is located on the platform of the Yaroslavl station.

Around the sign there are four more parts of the composition, forming as a whole a square, pointing with its corners to the four parts of the world. It contains relief images of animals characteristic of different continents. According to the author, the circle is intended to symbolize harmony, and the square – paradise.

Tourists rarely pay attention to the deep meaning of the object, but in the hope of fulfilling their wishes, they gladly throw a coin over their shoulder while standing on the sign’s slab.

Flickr, Bart's Dad

In the first half of the 16th century, a red brick wall with a length of more than two and a half kilometers was erected around Moscow's Kitay-Gorod. The purpose of building such a large-scale fortification was defense against attacks by the Crimean Tatars.

The two-arched Resurrection Gates, which can be seen between the Historical Museum and the State Duma, have survived to this day from the Kitai-Gorod Wall.

The gates installed in 1535 bore different names: at first they were Kuretny, then Neglimensky, and even later - Lion's (due to the menagerie of Ivan the Terrible located nearby). In 1680, a room with two octagonal hipped twin towers was built over the passage.

After the icon of the Resurrection of Christ was placed on the tower in 1689, the following name came into use - Resurrection Gate. In 1781, the gate became Iverskaya - after the Iverskaya Chapel was added to it, first wooden, and then stone.

From 1929 to 1931, both the chapel and the gate were demolished, but were restored to their classic appearance in the mid-1990s.

It is impossible to imagine the architectural ensemble of the center of Moscow without the building of the State Historical Museum. Despite the fact that it was built recently by historical standards - at the end of the 19th century, it has long become one of the calling cards of the Russian capital and a very popular attraction.

The beginning of the museum was laid during the Polytechnic Exhibition of 1872, individual exhibitions of which - namely those related to the Crimean War - became the first museum collection. Construction of the building for the new museum lasted from 1875 to 1881, and the interior decoration of some rooms was completed only in the 1910s.

Currently, the Historical Museum is a magnificent collection of various objects with a total number of about 22 thousand. The entire history of Russia, from ancient times to the 21st century, will appear before your eyes during the excursion. Excellent technical equipment and easy navigation help you get used to the four thousand square meters of exhibition halls.

A fascinating journey begins from the second floor - there you will learn about primitive societies that once inhabited Russian lands, then about Ancient Rus', about wars against external and internal enemies, about ancient cultural traditions. On the floor above you will be transported to the era of Peter I, and then to later periods - right up to the present day.

Flickr, kukkaibkk

The Kazan Cathedral, which adorns Red Square, is one of the most revered Orthodox churches. It was built in the 17th century at the expense of Prince Dmitry Pozharsky and dedicated to the liberation of Russian lands from Polish-Lithuanian invaders in 1612.

The main shrine of the cathedral is the miraculous Kazan Icon of the Mother of God, found in 1579 and transferred first to the Assumption Cathedral, and later to the newly built Kazan Cathedral.

The cathedral building was repeatedly reconstructed at the behest of different rulers. The worst thing happened to the holy place in 1936, when it was simply demolished to the ground.

The Kazan Cathedral was restored as the very first of all the lost religious buildings in Moscow. The temple was rebuilt in 1990-1993 mainly with funds from the city government, as well as through private donations. The interior walls were painted by Palekh and Bryansk masters.

The appearance of the Kazan Cathedral is quite cheerful and bright. It is crowned with one chapter, surrounded by many multi-level kokoshniks. The complex architectural composition is executed stylistically impeccably, so the cathedral looks solid and compact.

Nearby stands a tented bell tower, which is also an excellent example of Russian church architecture.

Flickr, ruimsmcarvalho

The soul and heart of Moscow is Red Square. This place witnessed the most fateful events in the life of the country; heralds read out the Tsar’s decrees from the Execution Ground; troops advanced to war from the Kremlin through the Spassky Gate and rulers came out to the people.

And it all started quite prosaically: with a shopping area moved outside the Kremlin walls in the 15th century. For several centuries, there was a brisk buying and selling here: for those who were richer, stone shopping arcades were built, and ordinary people settled right in the open air. Grand fairs and cheerful folk festivals were also held here.

The appearance and character of the square began to change in 1625, when a Gothic tower was erected over the Spassky Gates, decorating the square. The area between the new Spasskaya Tower, St. Basil's Cathedral and Lobnoye Mesto was so beautiful that people began to call this part of the square “red” - that is, beautiful. Then this name spread to all the space unoccupied by shopping arcades, and in 1661, by decree of Tsar Alexei Mikhailovich, the square officially became Red.

Red Square is truly one of the most beautiful squares in the world, the buildings on it are dressed in scarlet and decorated in the style of Russian patterns. The fabulous St. Basil's Cathedral looks like a gingerbread palace, and the Kremlin towers and the Historical Museum, for all their solidity, are charming and look like illustrations from a colorful book about an ideal world.

Flickr, Pola Damonte

The main department store in Moscow is not just a shopping center where you can buy anything. GUM is a real legend.

Everyone born in the USSR knew about this store, even if they lived thousands of kilometers away. In times of shortages, when people arrived in the capital, the first thing they did was go to GUM - if not to buy something, then at least to look at it.

The current GUM building was built in 1893 on the site of the outdated Upper Trading Rows. The Moscow Guild of Merchants announced a competition, in which the architect Pomerantsev won with the design of a building in a pseudo-Russian style, in harmony with other buildings on Red Square. Elements of Russian patterns and GUM turrets combine perfectly with the architecture of the ancient center of Moscow.

The grandiose store, built with the money of the guild, was the pride of the Russian merchants until 1917, when the merchants were expelled from GUM, their goods were nationalized, and Soviet institutions, offices and communal apartments were placed in the shops, which existed here until the 1960s. They even wanted to demolish GUM, but the war prevented this, and after it it was decided to leave the building and revive it.

Today GUM is filled with modern trading departments, but references to the times when it was the main store of the USSR are still preserved: here you can hear Soviet hits, and in Gastronome No. 1 they sell tea with an elephant and juice in a three-liter jar.

Flickr, ChannelReise

The tomb of the leader of the world proletariat has become an integral part of the architectural ensemble of Red Square. The embalmed body of Vladimir Ilyich Lenin is housed in a tomb lined with granite, marble and porphyry, resembling a truncated three-stage pyramid.

Lenin's first mausoleum was made of wood according to Shchusev's design, and it was built urgently for the leader's funeral. The current building of the mausoleum is the third version that appeared after the Great Patriotic War.

During the war, Lenin's body was transported to Tyumen to protect it from assassination attempts and destruction. In 1945, the leader was returned to the capital, and the mausoleum was updated, adding stands from which the country's leaders made many fateful speeches.

The Lenin Mausoleum was repeatedly subjected to attempts at vandalism and sabotage; even the honor guard, who was on duty at the entrance to the tomb until 1993, could not save it from this. Since 1973, Lenin’s body has been kept in a bulletproof sarcophagus, and upon entering the mausoleum itself, visitors must go through a metal detector and leave all their belongings, including photographic equipment, at the entrance.

The main one of all 20 towers of the Moscow Kremlin is the Spasskaya Tower - one of the most recognizable symbols of Moscow and all of Russia. For most people in the vast expanses of the former USSR, the Spasskaya Tower also symbolizes the New Year: for several decades, on the festive night, everyone was waiting for its chimes to strike.

The tower appeared in 1491 and was originally half as tall as it is now. In 1514, in honor of the capture of Smolensk, a gate icon of the Savior was installed, which was reputed to be miraculous.

Since then, the gates of the Spasskaya Tower were revered as sacred; one could only pass through them on foot; men had to bare their heads, and when passing by the icon, they had to bow. Even the great princes, kings of Rus', foreigners and people of other faiths observed this custom, and the violator made 50 prostrations to the icon as punishment.

The tower acquired its current majestic appearance in 1625, when the English architect Galloway came up with a multi-tiered tent in the Gothic style. A clock was installed in the stone tent, which was subsequently replaced several times.

The chimes that count Moscow time today were installed in 1852. By the way, the melodies in the clocks were changed even more often - mainly to please the tastes of the rulers.

Above the chimes, on a thin spire, a scarlet star has been burning for 77 years, which replaced the gilded double-headed eagle that adorned the tower from the 17th century until 1935.

Flickr, Volodymyr Osypov

The grand opening of the monument to Minin and Pozharsky on Red Square took place in 1818 in the presence of Alexander I and a large gathering of people. The monument immortalized the feat of two national heroes of Russia, who in 1612 played a vital role in the victory over the Polish-Lithuanian occupiers.

The sculptural composition created by Ivan Martos depicts Kuzma Minin addressing the wounded Dmitry Pozharsky with a call to become the head of the Russian army in the fight for the defense of the Fatherland. With one hand, Minin seems to point to the Kremlin, which is under threat of invasion by foreigners. The monument looks very colorful and original: the author tried to work within the framework of classicism, but did not abandon national motifs.

During Soviet times, the monument to Minin and Pozharsky survived, although it was under threat of demolition - it interfered with festive demonstrations and processions. In 1931, the monument was moved to St. Basil's Cathedral, where it stands to this day, which is why Minin points not to the Kremlin, but somewhere in the GUM area.

Panaramio, Kirill Vyacheslavovich

Probably the most recognizable architectural object in Moscow, besides the Kremlin's Spasskaya Tower, can easily be called St. Basil's Cathedral, also known as the Cathedral of the Intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary on the Moat.

This is a symbol not only of Moscow, but of almost all of Russia. The cathedral as part of Red Square has been on the UNESCO World Heritage List since 1990.

The architecture of the cathedral is very expressive: the composition consists of several churches topped with colorful painted domes located at different heights.

The cathedral was built from 1555 to 1561 at the behest of Ivan the Terrible to commemorate the victory over the powerful Kazan Khanate, therefore each altar in the temples was consecrated in honor of the holidays on which the main battles occurred. Kazan fell on the day of the celebration of the Intercession of the Mother of God - this gave the original name to the cathedral.

The chapel of St. Basil's appeared much later, in 1588. It contained the relics of the local holy fool Vasily, who died in the 1550s and is known for the fact that even Ivan the Terrible himself was afraid of him. Since then, the cathedral has received a second dedication - in the name of St. Basil.

With the advent of Soviet power, the cathedral was not demolished; it was too beautiful and unique. For a long time there was a museum here. The cathedral returned to the Russian Orthodox Church in 1991. Now worship services are held here again.

Advice! This concludes our tour of Red Square. We told you about the most popular attractions in Moscow, but there are still many interesting places in the city. Many of them are marked on the Ever.Travel interactive map. Choose where you'd like to go, build your itineraries, and sync your plans with our free mobile app. Enjoy your walks!

Moscow Kremlin- a large fortress located on Borovitsky Hill in the Russian capital - Moscow. Since ancient times it has been the city-forming, historical, political and religious center of the city. Today the official residence of the President of the Russian Federation is located here. In 1991, a historical and cultural museum-reserve was formed on the basis of the State Museums of the Moscow Kremlin. Now the Kremlin is the main center of attraction for tourists visiting the Moscow capital.

It was built in the 15th century. In 1156, the first fortifications with a total length of about 850 meters and an area of ​​about 3 hectares were built on the territory of the modern Kremlin.

The Moscow Kremlin is younger than the Tula, Pskov, Novgorod and Kazan Kremlin.

The length of the walls, the Kremlin occupies 2500 meters. The Moscow fortress is the longest in Russia. The next contender is the Nizhny Novgorod Kremlin, which is as much as 500 meters shorter.

There are 20 towers along the walls of the Moscow Kremlin. 3 towers standing in the corners of the triangle have a circular cross-section, the rest are square. The tallest tower is Troitskaya, it has a height of 79.3 m. The next competitor of the Moscow Kremlin has three smaller towers and is located in Kolomna.

According to its meaning...

The Assumption Cathedral, located on the territory of the Moscow Kremlin, was the main temple of the country.

The Armory Chamber of the Moscow Kremlin is the oldest treasury museum, one of the richest collections in the country.

Brief history of the Kremlin

The history of the first wooden buildings of the Moscow Kremlin goes back to the distant year 1156. Around the small fortress, which served as a shelter from enemies, there were many villages and villages. In 1238, Moscow was subjected to a terrible attack by the hordes of Khan Batu and was burned to the ground. In the 14th century, Moscow, having been resurrected from the ashes more than once, began to be actively built up with stone. In 1368, at the direction of the young Prince Dmitry Donskoy, the white stone walls and towers of the Kremlin were erected. Simultaneously with the stone fortification, the territory of the Kremlin was expanded. The Moscow Kremlin stood in this form for more than 100 years, subject to numerous attacks from enemies. In 1495, the Moscow Kremlin received new brick towers and walls, new fortifications and even larger territory. As a result, from the point of view of military engineering, the Moscow Kremlin was an outstanding structure that met all the requirements of world defensive technology of that time.