The Kremlin which means “fortress inside a city”, is a vast, fortified complex of buildings at the heart of Moscow. The Kremlin is surrounded by gardens to the west, the Moscow River to the south, and Red Square to the east. The complex serves as the official residence of the President of the Russian Federation. Built in 1482, the Kremlin is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Changing of the guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier is a war memorial dedicated to the Soviet soldiers killed during World War II.
A faux ruined grotto built underneath the Middle Arsenal Tower.
In front of the grotto is an obelisk erected in 1914. The granite monument listed all of Romanov Tsars and had the coats of arms of the provinces.
People lining up to get into the Kremlin.
Troitskaya Tower is the tallest tower of the Moscow Kremlin.
It has a through-passage in the center of the northern wall of the Moscow Kremlin.
In 1812, when the French army lost and fled from Moscow, more than a hundred canons were left behind.
The N word symbolizes the Napoleon's canon.
The Tsar Cannon is the largest bombard by caliber in the world. Mostly of symbolic impact, it has never shot and it was never used in a war.
The Senate, which houses the office of the President of the Russian Federation. The building is not opened to the public.
The Grand Kremlin Palace.
The Spasskaya Tower is the main tower on the eastern wall of Kremlin. It was built in 1491.
In the 14th century, the Kremlin became the headquarters of the Russian Orthodox Church. Cathedral Square is surrounded by six buildings, including three great cathedrals which were built during 15th and 16th centuries.
The Cathedral of the Assumption is the oldest church in the Kremlin.
Archangel Cathedral was erected between 1505 – 1508. It was named after Archangel Michael, a war-like heavenly figure to reflect the growing power of the State.
Archangel Cathedral contains the tombs of all the rulers of Muscovy and Russia until Peter the Great moved the capital to St. Petersburg.
The Annunciation Cathedral contains some superb icons and a beautiful iconostasis. It was originally built as the domestic church of the Grand Dukes and tsars and was connected by passages to the private quarters of the royal families. It was used to celebrate name-days, weddings, baptisms and so forth.
Western portal to the Annunciation Cathedral.
The main iconostasis of Annunciation Cathedral.
Ivan the Great Bell Tower with its two golden domes can be seen from up to 30km away.
At a height of 81 meters, it was the tallest building in all of Russia for almost 400 years. There are 21 bells in tower and belfry. The Assumption Bell, Kremlin’s biggest bell is located at the central arch of the belfry.
In front of the Ivan the Great Bell Tower lies the Tsar Bell.
The Tsar Bell is considered the biggest bell in the world. It weights about 202 tonnes, 6.14 meters tall and 6.6 meters diameter.
It was cast in November 1735. It remained in the molding pit when a terrible fire broke out and spread to the Kremlin buildings. Cold water fell on the bell during the fire extinguishing. Temperature difference caused the bell to crack and a huge piece of 11.5 tonnes broke off. It has never been in working order, suspended or rung.
Ivan the Great Bell Tower as seen from the Taynitsky Garden across the road.
A tree planted by Yuri at the garden. Yuri was the first person to journey into outer space.
The helipad was completed in May 2013 to allow the President to commute back and forth to the Kremlin using a helicopter.
Last but not least, I walked to see Armoury Chamber, a treasure house which is part of the Grand Kremlin Palace’s complex.
The Grand Kremlin Palace was constructed by Czar Nicholas I in 1839 – 1849 and today is the official residence of the President of Russia.
The museum collections were based on the precious items that had been preserved for centuries in the tsar’s treasury.
The exhibit items include gold and silverware, coronation dresses, ceremonial arms and armours, carriages and horse ceremonial harness.
Museum shop.
I bought some souvenirs here.
Time to exit the Kremlin. The Kremlin is truly a must visit place which shows the grandeur of the Russian Empire.
Long queue outside the ticket office to buy tickets to enter the Kremlin. Fortunately, our tour guide had bought the tickets in advance.
Beautiful horse fountain of the Alexander Garden.
It is connected to the food court of Okhotny Ryad shopping mall.
Tried the Russian pancake with fish roe. Suffice to say it’s not my favourite.
The food court offers cheap and good food. We had our dinner twice here. My favourite would be iPoh cafe (Vietnamese cuisine) and the chinese food stall at the food court.
Okhotny Ryad is a midrange underground shopping mall which is near to Red Square and Kremlin. It is also connected to the Okhotny Ryad metro station.
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