City Kremlin. 12 Kremlins of modern Russia
For centuries, the territory of the present central Russia actively built up with fortifications of various types. This was due to the existence of separate principalities and the constant transfer of borders that needed to be protected. Some fortifications were erected in cities and were of key importance for the development of the area. They gave shelter to residents in the event of an attack, served as a place for the deployment of troops and gradually turned into the heart of the city. In addition to the obligatory walls, towers, loopholes and other things related to military affairs, within the boundaries of each kremlin there could be chambers, temples, outbuildings. Now all these beauties have become part of tourist routes. Most of them are well maintained and used as museums or for administrative purposes.
How many Kremlins are there and in which cities are they located? Tours, towers, museums and cathedrals! List with photos, names and descriptions of the best places.
Moscow
Built at the end of the 15th century. It is located on the Borovitsky hill on the bank of the river. It was not only of strategic importance, but also declared Moscow's ambitions as the "Third Rome". In modern times, it is the residence of the President of the country. The Kremlin and Senate palaces have been restored. Research and excavations are being carried out on the Kremlin Hill. On the territory there are also the Tsar Bell and the Tsar Cannon, the Assumption and other cathedrals.
Kazansky
The current look was shaped by XVI century. The oldest part of the city. Initially, it was a fortress and played an important role in the confrontation between the Bulgars and one of the principalities of the Golden Horde. Inside the walls, which had 13 towers, temples, a mosque, a palace, and an office were built. Now it is the residence of the head of Tatarstan. A number of municipal services, several museums and the Khazine Gallery also operate here.
Novgorod
Built in the 15th century on the banks of the Volkhov River. Also called the Kid. The reconstruction of the wooden predecessor of the Kremlin was started by Ivan III, who even invested his own funds. The walls are elongated into an uneven oval, there are towers around the entire perimeter, only three have not been preserved. On the territory there are three churches and the St. Sophia Cathedral, as well as the monument "Millennium of Russia", "Eternal Flame" and more.
Kolomensky
Built in the first half of the 16th century. It was necessary to strengthen the borders in the confrontation with the Tatars. The fortress and its buildings suffered more from time and vandals than from wars. 7 towers have been preserved and restored, although there were originally 16, and partly the wall. On the territory of the Kremlin, which has an area of 24 hectares, there are several churches, two monasteries, two cathedrals.
Pskov
It was built at the turn of the 11th-12th centuries on the banks of the Velikaya River. Dovmontov city is part of the complex. It was added later for additional protection of the city and started from a new level of walls. During the excavations, the foundations of temples and part of the wall painting were found here. The territory, in addition, includes the Trinity Cathedral, the Order Chambers, powder magazines, a bell tower, 7 towers and more.
Rostov
Built in the middle of the 17th century. It was originally the residence of the Metropolitan. Although it was built in the traditions of defensive architecture, it did not have defensive tasks, so there are deviations from the canons of style in construction: wide gates, the absence of loopholes, a different design of windows, and so on. Architectural ensemble changed somewhat over time. Now it includes the Assumption Cathedral, a garden, a palace and a cathedral square.
Nizhny Novgorod
Built at the beginning of the 16th century at the confluence of the Volga and Oka. The city was a frontier, so there was a military outpost here, there was always an army. Subsequently, a square was laid out for entertainment events. The walls stretched for 2 km. 13 towers have been preserved and restored. Within the walls there is a cathedral where Kuzma Minin is buried. Now the Kremlin is the residence of high-ranking officials, including the governor and the mayor.
Tula
Built at the beginning of the 16th century. The oldest building in the city. The Kremlin was needed to secure the way to Moscow. The area exceeds 6 hectares. The walls rise to 13 m. The stone fortress has 9 towers, 4 have gates. There are 2 cathedrals inside the Kremlin. The architectural complex was created using different styles, but it looks like a single whole. Some details speak of the Italian school of architects.
Astrakhan
Built in the second half of the 16th century. Its appearance is associated with the transfer of the city, and the construction of a kind of fort. The place was not chosen by chance: it was difficult to get close because of the waters of the rivers and channels, and there was also an elevation - Hare Hillock. Now it is a branch of the museum-reserve. The ensemble includes many objects: towers, powder magazine, torture chamber, barracks, consistory, etc.
Tobolsk
Built in the XVII-XVIII centuries. The only stone Kremlin in Siberia. It did not have a pronounced defensive value. The construction was planted from the capital, from where the architects were sent. 7 towers have survived, the walls and all structures within the Kremlin are white stone. The complex includes: a judicial council, cathedrals, a bishop's house, a monastic building, a bell tower and more.
Ryazan
In the XII century, the first defensive rampart was built here. The Assumption Cathedral and the nearby bell tower also had navigational significance: only they were visible as landmarks when rafting down the Oka. None of the towers of the fortress walls survived. Churches and temples date back to different centuries, but are inscribed in a common style. Now the Kremlin has been transformed into a museum-reserve. It is one of the oldest in Russia.
Zarayskiy
Built in the first half of the 16th century. In the very first years it was attacked by the Golden Horde. He was repeatedly besieged, but almost always prevailed in confrontation with the enemy. The walls with towers and gates, 2 cathedrals and a religious school have been preserved. Now the territory of the Kremlin is given over to the museum of the same name. He has been working since 1918. The exposition includes art objects from all over the world.
Dmitrovsky
Built in the XII century. Initially - the residence of the princely family. IN different time the fortress was under the command of the Lithuanians and Poles, but not for long. It was transformed into a museum-reserve in 1918. It has a picturesque and extended rampart that replaced the walls. Three roads pass through it. One - through the recreated Nikolsky Gate. The main attraction is the Assumption Cathedral.
Uglich
It was built in the 15th century, but later it was supplemented with new buildings and fortified. Located on the banks of the Volga. The old defensive redoubts are destroyed, their existence can only be judged by the remains of the moat. The Transfiguration Cathedral dates back to the 17th century, at the same time the Church of Dmitry on the Blood appeared (on the occasion of the death of the prince), and the building of the city duma was erected in 1815.
Syzransky
Built in 1683 at the confluence of three rivers. Its construction is connected with the expansion of the country to the southeast. Of the five original towers, one has survived - Spasskaya. It was a gate, but then it underwent modernization and a church appeared inside, now a museum is based in it. There are alleys and flower beds nearby. There is also another church on the territory of the Kremlin, built in 1717.
Verkhotursky
Founded in 1698. The current appearance of the Kremlin was already in the 18th century. It is the only building of its kind in the Middle Urals. Initially, it was a huge estate, which was surrounded by walls and towers. Now the Kremlin is a museum and historical complex. There is a museum "Tsar's barns", tourists have access to the bell tower. The main attraction is the Trinity Cathedral.
Vologda
Laid down in 1567. It had defensive functions, especially the Kremlin was in demand in the 17th century. The fortress was surrounded by a river and ditches. Partially they were preserved, and one moat later became a river. The foundations of the malls remained visible. Sightseeing: St. Sophia Cathedral, a former palace temple - now a church, a bell tower, a complex of the Bishop's Court. The latter is sometimes erroneously called the Kremlin.
Serpukhov
Built in 1374. The first option is made of oak. When strengthening the banks of the Oka, stone walls appeared and other structures were redone. Subjected to raids from the Crimeans. Only the foundations of some buildings, two separate fragments of the wall and the Trinity Cathedral have been preserved. Despite the current situation, the ruins constantly attract researchers and tourists. Ancient objects, such as coins and crosses, have been repeatedly found here.
Gdovsky
The first mention is the XIV century. Located in the city of the same name. The first fortifications here were made of earth, mounds were replaced by stone walls, and then towers. The Kremlin went through sieges, devastation, destruction, and so on, but each time it was recaptured and restored. The main cathedral of the fortress was blown up during the Second World War. It was rebuilt in the 90s of the last century according to the available images and drawings.
Mozhaisky
The construction was carried out in periods, the walls were constantly strengthened, stretched out for a total of several centuries from the 12th to the 17th. Little remains of the once important outpost: a gate with a section of a wall, fragments of a fence, earth embankments, and fragments of towers. Excavations have been carried out several times. Were found: a poker, a chess piece, a reliquary icon, a bone comb, and so on.
Volokolamsk
The construction of individual parts began in the 15th century. It is located on the territory of the town of the same name. It differs from structures of this type: little has been preserved, it is not known for certain what exactly was originally here. During the excavations, traces of the wooden fence of the Kremlin were found. At the moment, the complex includes 2 cathedrals of different centuries of construction and a five-tiered bell tower.
Tsarevokokshaysky
Construction was completed in 2009. Located in Yoshkar-Ola. Previously, there were defensive structures here, but only minor traces of them were found during excavations. The Kremlin has a rectangular shape, surrounded by red brick walls with towers. Used as recreated historical monument, and also as a platform for city entertainment events, agricultural exhibitions, etc.
Smolensk Kremlin
Built at the turn of the XVI-XVII centuries. It was of great defensive importance, therefore it was constantly strengthened. The architect used both old techniques in creating the fortress and new trends. The wall had a battle system in three tiers. The fortress was especially damaged during the retreat of the Napoleonic troops, who almost completely destroyed it. 18 towers have been preserved, although there were 2 times more of them originally.
Porkhov fortress
Built in 1387. It is located in the central part of the city of the same name. The initial purpose is to strengthen the trade route. During its existence, it survived the siege and decadence. The current state of most facilities is depressing, close to emergency. There are 3 towers. Within the boundaries of the fortress are the museums of the Porkhov Post Office, the Museum of Local Lore and St. Nicholas Church.
Izborsk fortress
Built at the beginning of the XIV century. It became the basis for the city of the same name, which arose around the fortress. The original meaning is defensive. Restructuring and construction of new redoubts were carried out, as the attacks were constant. IN this moment is being restored. The buildings most in need of restoration are the towers and the wall. Nikolsky Cathedral and the battle course have already acquired their former appearance and are available for inspection.
The Moscow Kremlin is the main attraction of the city. Getting to it is easy enough. There are several metro stations, leaving which you can walk to the Kremlin. The Alexandrovsky Garden station will take you, as you can easily guess, straight to the Alexander Garden. There you will already see the Kutafya Tower, where they sell tickets to the Kremlin and the Armory. You can also go to the metro station. Library them. IN AND. Lenin. In this case, the Kutafya tower will be visible across the road. The stations Ploshchad Revolyutsii and Kitay-gorod will take you to Red Square, only from different directions. The first is from the side of the State Historical Museum, the second is from the side. You can also get off at Okhotny Ryad - if you want to take a walk along the shopping row of the same name. Just be prepared for unusual prices)).
About prices in the Kremlin museums. Visiting the Kremlin is not a cheap pleasure. An hour and a half visit to - will cost 700 rubles, - 500 rubles, a walk around with an inspection - 500 rubles. For more information about museums and some of the nuances about visiting them, which you should know, see the links.
The Kremlin is called not only walls with towers, as some people think, but everything that is located inside it. Outside the walls, on the ground of the Moscow Kremlin, there are cathedrals and squares, palaces and museums. This summer, the Kremlin Regiment shows its skills on Cathedral Square every Saturday at 12:00. If I manage to escape to the Kremlin, I will write about it.
History of the Moscow Kremlin.
The word "Kremlin" is very ancient. The Kremlin or citadel in Rus' was called the fortified part in the center of the city, in other words, the fortress. Times were different in the old days. It happened that Russian cities were attacked by countless enemy forces. It was then that the inhabitants of the city gathered under the protection of their Kremlin. Old and young hid behind its powerful walls, and those who could hold weapons in their hands defended themselves from enemies from the walls of the Kremlin.
The first settlement on the site of the Kremlin appeared about 4,000 years ago. This has been established by archaeologists. Fragments of clay pots, stone axes and flint arrowheads were found here. These things were once used by ancient settlers.
The place where the Kremlin was built was not chosen by chance. The Kremlin was built on a high hill, surrounded on both sides by rivers: the Moskva River and the Neglinnaya. high location the Kremlin made it possible to notice enemies from a greater distance, and the rivers served as a natural barrier on their way.
Initially, the Kremlin was wooden. An earthen rampart was poured around its walls for greater reliability. The remains of these fortifications were discovered during construction work in our time.
It is known that the first wooden walls on the site of the Kremlin were built in 1156 by order of Prince Yuri Dolgoruky. These data are preserved in ancient chronicles. At the beginning of the 14th century, Ivan Kalita began to rule the city. Kalita in ancient Rus' was called a bag for money. The prince was so nicknamed because he accumulated great wealth and always carried a small bag of money with him. Prince Kalita decided to decorate and fortify his city. He ordered the Kremlin to build new walls. They were cut down from strong oak trunks, so thick that they could not be wrapped around with hands.
Under the next ruler of Moscow, Dmitry Donskoy, the Kremlin was built other walls - stone. From all over the district, stone craftsmen were gathered to Moscow. And in 1367. they set to work. People worked without interruption, and soon Borovitsky Hill was surrounded by a powerful stone wall, 2 or even 3 meters thick. It was built from limestone, which was mined in quarries near Moscow near the village of Myachkovo. The Kremlin so impressed contemporaries with the beauty of its white walls that since then Moscow has been called white stone.
Prince Dmitry was a very brave man. He always fought in the forefront and it was he who led the fight against the conquerors from the Golden Horde. In 1380, his army completely defeated the army of Khan Mamai on the Kulikovo field, which is not far from the Don River. This battle was nicknamed Kulikovo, and the prince has since received the nickname Donskoy.
The white-stone Kremlin stood for more than 100 years. During this time, a lot has changed. Russian lands united into one strong state. Moscow became its capital. It happened under the Moscow Prince Ivan III. Since then, he began to be called the Grand Duke of All Rus', and historians call him "the collector of the Russian land."
Ivan III gathered the best Russian masters and invited Aristotle Fearovanti, Antonio Solario and other famous architects from distant Italy. And now, under the guidance of Italian architects, new construction began on Borovitsky Hill. In order not to leave the city without a fortress, the builders erected a new Kremlin in parts: they dismantled a section of the old white stone wall and in its place quickly built a new one - of brick. There was quite a lot of clay suitable for its manufacture in the vicinity of Moscow. However, clay is a soft material. To make the brick hard, it was fired in special furnaces.
During the years of construction, Russian masters stopped treating Italian architects as strangers, and even their names were remade in the Russian way. So Antonio became Anton, and the nickname Fryazin replaced the complex Italian surname. Our ancestors called overseas lands Fryazhsky, and those who came from there - Fryazins.
They built the new Kremlin for 10 years. The fortress was protected from two sides by rivers, and at the beginning of the 16th century. a wide ditch was dug on the third side of the Kremlin. He connected two rivers. Now the Kremlin was protected from all sides by water barriers. erected one after another, equipped with their diversion archers for greater defense. Along with the renewal of the fortress walls, the construction of such well-known ones as Uspensky, Arkhangelsk and Blagoveshchensky took place.
After the crowning of the Romanovs, the construction of the Kremlin went at an accelerated pace. The Filaret belfry was built next to the bell tower of Ivan the Great, Teremnaya, Poteshny palaces, the Patriarch's chambers and the Cathedral of the Twelve Apostles. Under Peter I, the building of the Arsenal was erected. But after the transfer of the capital to St. Petersburg, they stopped building new buildings.
During the reign of Catherine II, a number of ancient buildings and part of the southern wall were demolished for the construction of a new palace. But the work was canceled soon after. official version due to lack of funding, unofficially - because of the negative opinion of the public. In 1776-87. Senate building was built
During the invasion of Napoleon, the Kremlin suffered enormous damage. Churches were desecrated, looted, and part of the walls, towers and buildings were blown up during the retreat. In 1816-19. restoration work was carried out in the Kremlin. By 1917 There were 31 temples in the Kremlin.
During the October Revolution, the Kremlin is bombed. In 1918, the government of the RSFSR moved to the Senate building. Under Soviet rule, the Kremlin Palace of Congresses was built on the territory of the Kremlin, stars were installed on the towers, placed on pedestals, and the walls and structures of the Kremlin were repeatedly restored.
Varganova Inna Sergeevna
One of the oldest fortresses Rus', which still retains the name "detinets", is located on the left bank of the Volkhov River. The first chronicle mention of the Novgorod citadel dates back to 1044. A radical restructuring of the citadel took place in 1478 under Ivan III, when Novgorod entered the Muscovite state. Novgorod detinets as a part historical center Veliky Novgorod is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.
One of the main symbols of Russia stands on the high left bank of the Moscow River - Borovitsky Hill, at the confluence of the Neglinnaya River. On an irregular triangle with an area of 27.7 hectares, there are four palaces and four cathedrals, surrounded by a wall with towers. The first stone Kremlin, white-walled, was built in the 14th century under Dmitry Donskoy. And under Ivan III in the 15th century, the fortifications were rebuilt by Italian architects and lined with red brick.
Under Ivan III Nizhny Novgorod played the role of a guard city, so the fortifications were of particular importance. The construction of the huge stone Nizhny Novgorod Kremlin began in 1500 in the coastal part of the city of the Ivanovskaya Tower, but the main work began in 1508 and by 1515 the grandiose construction was completed. The main work on the construction of the Kremlin was carried out under the guidance of the Italian architect Pietro Francesco (Peter Fryazin) sent from Moscow.
The white-stone Kremlin, which in Pskov was always called "Krom". It includes Dovmontov city, associated with the name of the holy prince Dovmont-Timothy. During the period of the Pskov Republic (14th - early 16th centuries), the Kremlin with its cathedral, veche square and Kromsky cells was a spiritual, legal and administrative center Pskov land.
“All the houses of this city are wooden, but there is a large and strong fortress with stone walls; it contains a very significant number of warriors who hold posts at night - just like in Spain, Italy and Flanders. This is how Oruj-bek, the secretary of the Persian embassy to Boris Godunov, described the Kazan Kremlin. During the capture of Kazan by Ivan the Terrible in 1552, the oak walls of the Khan's fortress were badly damaged. For the construction of a new white-stone Kremlin, the tsar called on the Pskov architects Postnik Yakovlev and Ivan Shiryai (the builders of St. Basil's Cathedral in Moscow). The fortress was significantly expanded, 6 towers (out of 13) were built of stone (five were travel), but only at the beginning of the 17th century was the final replacement of the wooden defensive structures of the Kazan Kremlin with stone ones.
One of the largest and most powerful fortresses of its time, built under Vasily III in 1525-1531. The devastation of Kolomna by the Crimean Khan Mehmed I Giray in 1521 accelerated the replacement of wooden city fortifications with stone ones. But in the 18th and early 19th centuries, the Kremlin, impregnable for enemies, was slowly dismantled for building material. locals. This was put to an end only by the decree of Nicholas I in 1826.
In 1514, inside the oak fortress, following the example of the Moscow Kremlin, Vasily III ordered to lay " stone city", built by 1520 (1521). Perhaps it was erected by Italian architects after the completion of the construction of the Moscow Kremlin at the end of the 15th century. In 1608, Tsar Vasily Shuisky besieged the rebels in the Tula Kremlin - Ivan Bolotnikov and Ileyka Muromets ("Tsarevich Peter"). The Kremlin withstood a very long siege, but the tsar ordered a dam to be built and water from the river flooded the Kremlin, forcing the besieged to surrender.
IN Ancient Rus' any Big City had a fortified territory - the Kremlin. Therefore, the Kremlin is the name of the city fortifications in Ancient Rus'. At present, there are 12 kremlins left in Russia, which have been well preserved for centuries, and have not changed their city status.
The modern walls and towers of the Moscow Kremlin were built in 1482 - 1495 by Italian architects from red brick, in place of white stone ones, they were completed back in the 17th century. The number of surviving towers: 20, the number of gates - 4, the height of the walls: from 5 to 19 meters, the thickness of the walls - from 3.5 to 6.5 meters. In the Kremlin of Moscow, there are the Assumption, Archangel, Annunciation Cathedrals, several churches, the Patriarch's Chambers, the Terem Palace, the Pomegranate Chamber, the Ivan the Great Bell Tower and other buildings. The Moscow Kremlin is an object world heritage UNESCO since 1990.
2. Rostov Kremlin
The Kremlin complex was built by the Rostov Metropolitan Iona Sysoevich as a bishop's house on the shore of Lake Nero in 1670-1683. The fortress walls have 11 preserved towers, including four entrance ones. The Kremlin houses the 5-domed Assumption Cathedral, built at the end of the 16th century, the cathedral belfry with the famous 13 Rostov bells, as well as several beautiful churches and chambers. The Kremlin is a unique architectural complex end of the 17th century It has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1998.
3. Nizhny Novgorod Kremlin
The walls of the Kremlin with 12 preserved towers (originally 13) were built in 1508-1515, probably by the Italian architect Pyotr Fryazin. The number of gates is 5, the height of the walls is from 12 to 22 meters, the thickness of the walls is from 3.5 to 4.5 meters. In the Kremlin there is the Mikhailo-Arkhangelsky Cathedral, built in 1631 in honor of the victory of the militia in 1612, where Kuzma Minin is now buried, several civil buildings, a monument to Minin and Pozharsky was erected.
4. Tula Kremlin
Brick walls and towers were built in 1514-1520 as a defensive fortress on the southern borders of the country. The number of surviving towers: 9, the number of gates - 4, the height of the walls: from 12.7 meters, the thickness of the walls - from 2.8 to 3.2 meters. The Kremlin withstood the siege of the Crimean Khan Devlet Giray in 1552, and in 1608 the rebels of I. Bolotnikov withstood the siege of the tsarist troops in the Kremlin for four months. In the Kremlin there is a five-domed Assumption Cathedral, built in 1762 - 1764, the Cathedral of the Epiphany (1855 - 1863), a monument to Peter 1.
5. Novgorod Kremlin
Modern fortress walls and towers were built in 1484-1490 on the foundations of the old walls of the early 14th century. (the kid himself on the territory modern Kremlin existed since the 10th century). Of the towers, nine have survived to this day, including the 30-meter Kokui tower, built on at the end of the 17th century. The number of gates is 3, the height of the walls is from 8 to 15 meters, the thickness of the walls is from 3.6 to 6.55 meters. The Kremlin houses the Novgorod Sophia Cathedral of the middle of the 11th century, the oldest stone building in Russia, the Palace of Facets and other buildings. In 1862, the Millennium of Russia monument was solemnly opened in the Kremlin. The Novgorod Kremlin has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1992.
6.Kazan Kremlin
This Kremlin was built in X-XVI centuries Postnik Yakovlev and Ivan Shiryai in the Pskov architectural style. The number of surviving towers: 8, the number of gates - 2, the height of the walls - from 8 to 12 meters. The walls and towers were reconstructed in the 17th and 19th centuries. On the territory of the Kremlin there is the Cathedral of the Annunciation, built in 1562, the watchtower of Syuyumbek (buildings of unknown time), and also built in the 1990s. mosque Kul-Sharif. The Kremlin withstood the siege of Pugachev's troops in 1774. The Kazan Kremlin has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2000.
7. Astrakhan Kremlin.
Located on a high hill on the banks of the Volga. It was built in 1562 - 1589 by Mikhail Velyaminov and Dey Gubasty. The number of preserved towers: 7, the number of gates - 2, the height of the walls - from 3 to 8 meters, the thickness of the walls - from 5 to 12 meters. The white-stone walls of the Kremlin include seven towers - three travel and four deaf. On the territory of the Kremlin there are Trinity and Assumption Cathedrals, St. Cyril's Chapel, Bishop's House. The Prechistensky Gate is crowned with a tower with a bell tower and a clock (80 m high).
8. Zaraisk Kremlin
Built in 1528 - 1531 by order of Vasily III. The number of surviving towers: 7, the number of gates - 4. Being a border town that was part of the line of fortifications on southern border The Russian state, Zaraysk was subjected to repeated attacks by the Horde, in 1608 it was captured by Polish troops. In 1610, Prince D.M. Pozharsky. The brick Kremlin is lined with white stone on the outside. Of the 7 towers, three are travel. The Kremlin houses St. Nicholas Cathedral and the late Church of John the Baptist.
9. Tobolsk Kremlin
This is the only stone Kremlin in Siberia. Time of construction: 1683-1799. Number of surviving towers: 7. Built by G. Sharypin and G. Tyurin: stone walls and so-called towers. Sophia Courtyard and the five-domed Sophia-Assumption Cathedral (1681 - 1686) - the oldest stone building in Siberia. In the years 1700 - 1717, Semyon Remezov built the secular part of the Kremlin - the Small or Voznesensky city. The cathedral bell tower (75 m high) was built at the end of the 18th century, the Intercession Cathedral in the 1740s. Other buildings of the Kremlin were built in the 18th - 19th centuries. Under Boris Godunov, the famous Uglich bell was “exiled” to Tobolsk, for which a special stone belfry was built in the Kremlin.
10. Kolomna Kremlin
Built in 1525 - 1531. under Vasily III on the site of the wooden Kremlin destroyed by the Tatars. The walls and towers are partially preserved. The number of surviving towers: 7, the number of gates - 6, the height of the walls - from 18 to 21 meters, the thickness of the walls - from 3 to 4.5 meters. Of the towers, the Marinka Tower stands out, in which, according to legend, Marina Mnishek was imprisoned. The Kremlin houses the Assumption Cathedral (late 17th century), Resurrection Church (rebuilt in the 18th century), Trinity Church (late 17th century) and other buildings.
11. Pskov Kremlin
The time of construction of this Kremlin: the end of the XI - the beginning of the XII centuries. Towers - 7, Gates - 1 (through zahab), wall height: from 6 to 8 meters, wall thickness - from 2.5 to 6 meters. The Pskov Kremlin is called "Krom". It is located at the confluence of the Velikaya and Pskov rivers. The walls and towers were built in the 12th century. made of limestone and are the oldest surviving Kremlin fortifications in Russia. The five-domed Trinity Cathedral of the end of the 17th century is located on the territory of Krom. and a seven-sided bell tower of the same time, built on at the beginning of the 19th century.
12. Ryazan Kremlin
This Kremlin was built in the 15th century. And at the end of the 17th century, the walls and towers of the Kremlin were demolished due to dilapidation and the absence of the need to defend the frontiers. Only the rampart and the ditch survived. The Ryazan Kremlin is a complex of historical and architectural monuments located on the territory of the original fortress of Pereyaslavl-Ryazansky, located in the interfluve of the Trubezh and Lybed rivers. The structures are surrounded by an earthen defensive rampart of the 12th-17th centuries. On the territory of the Kremlin there is the Assumption Cathedral, built at the end of the 17th century. in the style of "Naryshkin baroque" by Y. Bukhvostov, a four-tiered bell tower (late 18th - early 19th centuries), Christ's Nativity and Archangel (XVI centuries) cathedrals, bishops' chambers (XVII - XIX centuries) - the so-called. chambers of prince Oleg, other churches and civil constructions.
"Komsomolskaya Pravda" has prepared for readers a list of ten Russian Kremlin, which are definitely worth a visit
Photo: Roman IGNATIEV
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Many foreigners - why are there foreigners, even a considerable part of our compatriots! - they are firmly convinced that there is only one Kremlin in Russia - the one that is located in the center of Moscow. But after all, in fact, in Rus', all the fortifications that protected the townspeople from attacks by enemy troops were called Kremlins - and only those settlements that had such a fortress had the right to be considered cities. "Komsomolskaya Pravda" has prepared for you a list of Russian Kremlin, which are definitely worth a visit!
Pskov Kremlin (chrome)
Year of construction: late XI - early XII centuries. Area: 3 ha Number of towers: up to 39, currently - 7 Wall thickness: 2.5 - 6 m Wall height: 6 - 8 m Tower height: up to 35 m Wall length: 9 km
The Pskov Kremlin, or krom, is the historical and architectural center of Pskov, located on a narrow and high cape at the confluence of the Pskov River with the Velikaya River. It was the largest fortress in Europe. Now the territory of the Kremlin unites two different parts of the city: Detinets with the Trinity Cathedral, the bell tower, Veche Square and Dovmontov city.
In the XIII century Pskov (then it was called Pleskov) was still the outskirts of Russian lands. Rich and free, he stood on the most important trade routes - at that time they were primarily rivers, not roads. Therefore, for many centuries in a row, the threat of an enemy attack constantly hung over the city - from the Livonian Order, Great Lithuania, even Novgorod - and this forced the Pskovites to improve the defensive structures again and again. The reconstruction and strengthening of the Pskov walls continued until the end of the 17th century, which made Pskov one of the most powerful medieval fortresses in Europe. During its history, the Pskov Kremlin withstood 26 sieges, but the fortress, which was in active military use for almost 1000 years, still came down to us - and in almost its original form.
Zaraisk Kremlin
Year of construction: 1528 - 1531 Area: 25,460 sq. m Number of towers: 7 Length of walls: 648 m
The Zaraysk Kremlin is located in the city of the same name on the banks of the Osetr River, the right tributary of the Oka. During its almost 500-year history, the Kremlin played a significant role in the fate of the Muscovite state, remaining one of the few cities loyal to the sovereign during the Time of Troubles. The first chronicle mention of the city on Osetra dates back to 1146. But the origin of the name of the city - Zaraysk - still remains a mystery to scientists. For example, in The Tale of the Devastation of Ryazan by Batu, the name is associated with the bringing to Ryazan land of the icon of the Wonderworker Nicholas I of Korsun and the death of Eupraxia, the wife of Prince Fedor, who preferred death to Tatar captivity. Not wanting to become the khan's concubine, she threw herself together with her son from a high tower and "infected" - that is, she broke at once, immediately, to death. Since then, the city began to be called Nikola-Zarazsk i-on Osetre, Zarazsky city, Zaraska, Zarazsk. Actually, the city became Zaraisk only in the 18th century. By the way, the first attack on new fortress happened two years after the construction - in 1533. The Crimean Tatars tried to capture the city. But, despite the considerable number of attackers - 40 thousand people - the Kremlin survived.
Kolomna Kremlin
Year of construction: 1525 - 1531 Area: 24 ha Number of towers: 17, currently 7 Wall thickness: 3 - 4.5 m Wall height: 18 - 21 m Tower height: 30 - 35 m Wall length: 1940 m
The Kolomna Kremlin is one of the most powerful fortresses of the Moscow state, built during the reign of Vasily III. It is located in the city of Kolomna at the confluence of the Moscow and Kolomenka rivers. Unfortunately, time did not spare the Kremlin - only a few towers and a couple of fragments of the fortress walls remained from the fortress, and the rest of the parts were destroyed and dismantled for the construction of houses in the city back in the 18th-19th centuries. But, even despite this, the Kremlin in our time impresses with its grandeur and power.
One of the towers of the Kolomna Kremlin that has survived to this day is often called Marinkina. It is generally accepted that she received such a name because it was there that Marina Mnishek was imprisoned in 1614. But what happened to her next - opinions differ. Officially, she died there. But there is a much more mystical version - as if the mistress of the False Dmitriev turned around in the magpie tower and flew away through the loophole window.
Tula Kremlin
Year of construction: 1514 - 1520 Area: 6 ha Number of towers: 9 Wall thickness: 2.8 - 3.2 m Wall height: 12.7 m Wall length: 1066 m
The construction of the Tula Kremlin - the main link in the southern defense line of Moscow Rus' - took place in an alarming strategic environment. The Crimean horde, until that time an ally of Moscow, suddenly took a sharply hostile position, which made it necessary to hurry with the construction of defense installations in Tula. The Kremlin was built in three stages. At first, they began to build it from stone, but due to the activity of the Crimean Tatars, city masters soon began to use wood instead of stone - this gave them the opportunity to carry out construction in more short term. Later, stone construction was again continued.
Unlike most Russian kremlins, the Tula Kremlin is located in a lowland - which, however, is protected from all sides by natural barriers: rivers and swamps. In plan, the Kremlin has the shape of a regular rectangle with a perimeter of walls of 1 km and an area of about 6 hectares. And although some Kremlins of the end of the 15th century already had geometrically correct plans, only in the Tula Kremlin did the principles of symmetry and geometric accuracy find their ideal embodiment.
Astrakhan Kremlin
Year of construction: 1582 - 1620 Area: 11 ha Number of towers: 8, currently - 7 Wall thickness: 5 - 12 m Wall height: 3 - 8 m Tower height: 12.5 - 84.8 m Wall length: 1487 m
The stone Astrakhan Kremlin was erected for about 40 years. For the construction of the Kremlin, bricks from the ruins of the former Golden Horde capital Saray-Batu were used. However, various buildings on the territory of the Kremlin were erected until the end of the 20th century. The symbol of the Kremlin, and of the whole of Astrakhan, has become a bell tower over 80 meters high, which can be seen from almost anywhere in the city. And they built this bell tower three times. The first one, erected at the beginning of the 18th century, became covered with cracks after 45 years and had to be dismantled. The second one was built already in the 19th century, but the bell tower, having stood for about a hundred years, tilted, and it was also dismantled. The third version of the bell tower was built in 1910 - and, I must say, it also stands, slightly deviated from its axis.
Tobolsk Kremlin
Year of construction: 1683 - 1799 Number of towers: 9, currently - 7 Wall height: 4.3 m Tower height: from 11 m Wall length: 620 m
The city of Tobolsk arose on a high coastal plateau, an arc enveloping the floodplain lowland in the bend of the Irtysh at the confluence of the mighty Tobol River. The Tatars called this plateau the Alafei Mountain, which means “the root of the Khan’s land”. Since ancient times, relatives, children, wives of the rulers of Siberia settled on this mountain. A small Russian prison appeared here only in 1587. And, having arisen in a very good place, Tobolsk began to grow rapidly. The peculiar topography of the area led to the emergence of two parts of the city - the upper and lower. IN upper city, on the Trinity Cape, a fortified fortress and the Sophia Court appeared, later united into a single Kremlin - the first in Siberia. From the end of the 17th to the end of the 19th century, the Kremlin was built and rebuilt in stone, constantly changing and updating.
Kazan Kremlin
Year of construction: X - XVI centuries. Area: 15 ha Number of towers: 13, currently - 8 Wall height: 8 - 12 m Tower height: up to 58 m Wall length: 1.8 km
A hill surrounded by water on three sides perfect place for a fortress. The first fortifications of the Bulgar tribes appeared here, on the high bank of the Kazanka River, at the turn of the 10th–11th centuries. However, archaeological finds indicate that these places were inhabited much earlier. The stone Kremlin was erected in the 12th century for defense northern borders Volga Bulgaria, and after the collapse of the Golden Horde in 1438, Genghisid Ulug-Mukhammed founded an independent Kazan Khanate. Work began to strengthen the capital, and the stone walls of the Kremlin became so strong that, as Russian chroniclers noted, they became "impregnable by the military." After the conquest of Kazan, Ivan the Terrible sent Pskov architects to the city, who began building up the Kremlin. Initially, its walls consisted of double thick oak log cabins filled with stone and sand. Such walls reliably protected the city from enemy cores, it was convenient to repel the attacks of the attackers from them. From here the defenders poured stones, sand, stone balls, here during the battle tubs and vats with boiling water, hot oil, pitch, resin, oil were delivered - all this poured out on the heads of the enemy. The Pskov architects built a wall 300 sazhens long from the Volga limestone and built the Kremlin towers with round loopholes and battlements.
Novgorod Kremlin
Year of construction: XIV century. Area: 12.1 ha Number of towers: 12, currently - 9 Wall thickness: 3.6 - 6.5 m Wall height: 8 - 15 m Tower height: up to 41 m Wall length: 1487 m
The Novgorod Kremlin, or, as it is called in another way, Detinets, has always been the administrative, social and religious center of Novgorod. It was here that the veche, the election of the posadnik, took place, from here Alexander Nevsky's squads once marched to the battle with the Swedes ... Chronicles were kept in the Kremlin, books were collected and copied.
The walls of the Novgorod Kremlin are made of limestone and cobblestone, fastened with lime mortar and lined with red brick, which makes it look like Moscow. Inside the walls there were rooms for storing ammunition and hiding places, and under them unique systems of ceramic pipes were found, probably used for negotiations between the defenders of the fortress towers. The fortress is surrounded by an artificial ditch filled with water from the Volkhov River, which could be crossed on collapsible wooden bridges. Nevertheless, despite its fortification significance, the construction of the Novgorod Kremlin focused mainly on the achievements of cult and civil architecture. This is indicated by the shape of the towers, the decorative tops of the battlements brought from Italy - elements that do not affect the defensive functions of the fortress.
Smolensk Kremlin
Year of construction: 1595 - 1602 Number of towers: 38, currently - 17 Wall thickness: up to 6 m Wall height: 13 - 19 m Wall length: 6.5 km
Smolensk fortress (yes, this building is more often called a fortress than a Kremlin) was built in the reign of Fyodor Ioannovich and Boris Godunov. Since the city of Smolensk occupied an exceptionally important strategic place for the young Muscovite state and for a long time served as the object of claims of either Lithuania or Poland, both kings attached special importance to its strengthening.
During the construction, the architects gave the Smolensk fortress not only defensive, but also artistic and aesthetic significance. The walls were originally whitewashed. They are distinguished by careful finishing of architectural details, some of which were colored. The rectangular towers had decorative vanes at the corners, the loopholes of the walls and towers were framed with architraves like windows, and the main entrance gates were decorated with pilasters with profiled bands of white stone.
At present, the walls of the Smolensk Kremlin are only partially preserved - but the shape of the bastion has remained almost the same as during construction. But, despite this, the Smolensk fortress still makes an indelible impression with its grandeur and impregnability. And, according to legend, if an alarming time comes, then a horse neighing will be heard from the thickness of the wall, which will warn the defenders of the city about the danger - the fact is that, according to legend, the skull of the war horse, the patron saint of the city, Mercury Smolensky, was immured somewhere in the thickness of the wall.
Nizhny Novgorod Kremlin
Year of construction: 1508 - 1515 Area: 22.7 ha Number of towers: 13 (earlier there was the 14th - strelnitsa) Wall thickness: 4.5 - 5 m Wall height: 9 - 10.5 m Tower height: 18 - 30 m Wall length: 2080 m
From the annals it is known that Nizhny Novgorod was founded in 1221 by the Grand Duke of Vladimir Yuri Vsevolodovich. The defensive fortifications of the city - deep ditches and high ramparts - were originally built of wood and earth. The Nizhny Novgorod Kremlin became stone only a century and a half after the Moscow one - in 1515, when it became necessary to strengthen the defense of the city against the Kazan Khanate. The new Kremlin was surrounded by a two-kilometer wall with thirteen towers and a fourteenth outlet archer, connected by a passage to the Dmitrov Tower. In the 16th century, the fortress was repeatedly besieged by the enemy, but the enemy was never able to capture it. With the fall of Kazan, the Nizhny Novgorod Kremlin lost its military significance and began to play the role of an administrative center.
The Nizhny Novgorod Kremlin has no analogues in terms of height difference between its two halves and is one of the most advanced engineering and fortification structures of its time. It was built from large-sized red brick and white stone - calcareous tufa. Brick was produced locally, white stone was quarried downstream of the Volga.
By the way, according to legend, somewhere deep in the casemates of the Nizhny Novgorod Kremlin, the famous library of Ivan the Terrible is hidden, which was brought by his grandmother - Sophia Paleolog - from Byzantium. But even if this collection of books is really stored somewhere under the fortress, it still cannot be found due to the difficult terrain and the proximity of groundwater.