The Moscow Kremlin

The Moscow Kremlin, sometimes referred to as simply the Kremlin, is a historic fortified complex at the heart of Moscow, overlooking the Moskva River (to the South), Saint Basil´s Cathedral and Red Square (to the East) and the Alexander Garden (to the West). It is the best known of kremlins (Russian citadels) and includes four palaces, four cathedrals and the enclosing Kremlin Wall with Kremlin towers. The complex serves as the official residence of the President of the Russian Federation.

The Moscow Kremlin is a symbol of the Russian state, one of the largest architectural ensembles of the world. It is the richest treasury of historical reliquees and monuments of culture and art. The Kremlin is situated in the center of the capital of Russia on the high Borovitskiy hill above the Moskva River.

The ensemble of the Moscow Kremlin has been formed many centuries. Today it contents the architectural monuments of XIV-XX centuries. The monumental walls of the fortress present the look of the ancient part of Moscow. Talking about the Kremlin's territory, we can't pass by the golden-domed cathedrals, old chambers, magnificent palaces and beautiful office blocks. They form the ensemble of Cathedral, Ivan, Senatskaya, Palace and Troitskaya Squares and Spasskaya, Borovitskaya, and Palace Streets of the Kremlin.

In 1990, the architectural ensemble of the Moscow Kremlin and its treasures, Red Square and Aleksandrovskiy Sad (the Alexandrov Gardens) were included into the World Heritage List of UNESCO. The Moscow Kremlin Museums became "The State Historical and Cultural Museum-Preserve "The Moscow Kremlin".

The unique museum complex of the Moscow Kremlin includes the Armoury Chamber, the Assumption, Archangel's and Annunciation Cathedrals, the Church of Laying Our Lady's Holy Robe, the Patriarch's Palace and the Twelve Apostles' Church, the Ivan the Great Bell-Tower complex and the collection of artillery arms and bells.

Guided tours to the Kremlin

Museum complex of the Moscow Kremlin
Dear visitors! Here you can find some information about museum complex of the Moscow Kremlin, that  includes the Armoury Chamber, the Assumption, Archangel's and Annunciation Cathedrals, the Church of Laying Our Lady's Holy Robe, the Patriarch's Palace and the Twelve Apostles' Church, the Ivan the Great Bell-Tower complex and the collection of artillery arms and bells.
The Armory Chamber
	In this section you can find some information about a world-wide known treasure-house that presents ancient Russian regalia,ceremonial tsar's dress, church hierarchs' vestments, gold and silverware by Russian, European and Eastern masters, arms and armouries, royal carriages and horse ceremonial harness. The famous museum's exhibits are of special interest because of precious materials, high artistic level and their particular value for the history and culture of the Russian State.
The Assumption Cathedral
	In this section you will get acquainted with the Cathedral that for centuries has been the main cathedral of the Russian State.The inaugurations of Princes, Tsars, Emperors and heads of the Russian Orthodox Church were held at the Assumption Cathedral. Besides, Metropolitans and Patriarchs were buried here. Nowadays, at the Assumption Cathedral one can admire the magnificent iconostasis, the ensemble of monumental paintings and one of the largest Russian collections of icons of particular respect and artistic value.
The Archangel’s Cathedral
	In this section you could find out about the dynastic necropolis of Moscow Great Princes and Tsars. Great Princes Ivan Kalita, Dmitriy Donskoi, Ivan III, Ivan the Terrible, tsarevich Dmitriy, Tsars Mikhail and Alexey Romanov were buried here. There are 47 tombstones and 2 reliquaries in the dynastic necropolis. The cathedral's pillars and walls are covered with portraits of Moscow leaders and their glorious ancestors. In the local row of the iconostasis one can see the ancient image of "Archangel Michael with glorious works", created in the time of the Battle on the Kulikovo Field.
The Patriarch's Palace
	Here you will find some information about one of the rare examples of civil architecture of the Patriarch Nikon's times. Nowadays, the Cross Chamber, the Front Anteroom, the refectory and the Twelve Apostles' Church house the museum. It presents valuable items of history and culture of the XVII century- personals of patriarchs, precious tablewares,pocket-watches and table-clocks, unique examples of ecclesiastical embroidery and interiors, manuscripts and printed books, icons painted by famous tsar's isografs (icon-painters)
The Ivan The Great Bell-Tower Complex
	In this section you will get acquainted with the architectural ensemble of Ivan-the-Great Bell-Tower, the Assumption Belfry (Uspenskaya Zvonnitsa) and the Filaret's Annex that has been the architectural cradle of the city for centuries. The Bell-Tower is being prepared to house a museum and an exhibition devoted to the history of Kremlin's architecture.
The Annunciation Cathedral
	Here you can find out about the home church of Moscow Great Princes and Tsars. The ensemble of monumental painting of the cathedral of Ivan the Terrible's epoch and the ancient iconostasis are of great value. Many researches consider the icons of deesis to be painted by famous icon-painter Theofan the Greek and a part of the icons of the festival row to be created by the greatest Russian medieval icon-painter Andrei Rublev.
The Church of Laying Our Lady´s Holy Robe
	Here you will get to know about the home church of Russian Metropolitans and Patriarchs. The iconostasis and wall-paintings of the cozy small church form the magnificent architectural ensemble. There is a permanent exhibition of Russian wooden sculpture situated in the church's gallery. Only few exhibits of this kind have been preserved. Any of them is of great interest and value.