Interesting facts about chimes for children. Why are chimes called chimes. Modern view of the Kremlin

And there are much more interesting facts about this place than ten!

Briefly about the history of the main attractions of the country

A. Vasnetsov "Moscow Kremlin under Ivan Kalita", 1921

The first mentions of Moscow and the small wooden Kremlin appear in the 12th century. In Russia, the Kremlin was called part of the city or the whole city, which was surrounded by walls. In the Middle Ages, in every, even the smallest town, there was one or more of these "Kremlin".

The "authorship" of the first wooden Kremlin in Moscow is attributed to Yuri Dolgoruky. A high fence with stakes was supposed to protect the city from the attacks of ill-wishers. IN different time the walls of Moscow burned, then rebuilt, until in the 14th century Prince Dmitry Donskoy ordered the Kremlin walls to be built of white stone.

Subsequently, the walls were rebuilt several times, since the stone was not intended to serve "for centuries". However, each time the builders reproduced exactly the original shape of the walls - a triangle. This is an ancient sacred symbol of protection, which has nothing to do with Christianity, but all the princes followed this principle of construction.

Modern view of the Kremlin

The modern Kremlin is far from the oldest among similar buildings in Russia. However, due to belonging to Moscow, it is customary to call it “the main one”. The construction of the Kremlin in the form in which we are accustomed to seeing it was carried out not by Russian architects, but by Italians. It was the European masters who were able to build the eternal wall.

The builders took as a basis (center) of the Kremlin the main spiritual symbol of Moscow - the Assumption Cathedral. And on each side of it at an equal distance from each other, seven towers of red brick were placed.

The battlements on the walls are made in the shape of the letter "M", which is somewhat strange for Russian culture. This novelty was introduced into the decoration of the Russian Kremlin by the Italians, who believed that such a shape of the walls would make it possible to better defend themselves if necessary. The princes and ordinary people in their own way called this element "swallow's tail."

Few people know, but under the walls of the Kremlin there are underground passages and shelters. However, they have not yet been fully explored.

Today, the famous walls are periodically restored, the main goal of each work is to restore the original appearance red brick.

The whole truth about the Kremlin: 10 interesting facts

F. Alekseev "Red Square in Moscow", 1801

1. At some point in its history, the Kremlin was... an island! Yes, in the 16th century, for the defense of the city, it was decided to dig canals around the Kremlin walls - it was easier and more convenient to defend against enemies. However, such a system did not last long - Moscow received not only a strategic advantage, but also many inconveniences in attacks and trade.

2. The Kremlin was originally not just a defensive structure. There were monasteries there. For example, in the 20th century alone, 28 monasteries and churches that were located on the territory of the Kremlin were destroyed.

3. During the Great Patriotic War in order to protect the Kremlin from airstrikes, the authorities decided to disguise it. So, the red walls were painted with different colors, windows and doors were painted on the walls, the stars were covered with plywood. It was difficult for enemy pilots to see him from the air.

However, this did not save the Kremlin from destruction. There is a legend that during the war years not a single mine reached the Kremlin walls, but this is not true. They were hit by 15 high-explosive and 150 incendiary bombs. One large bomb destroyed the Arsenal building.

4. It is generally accepted that each tower in the Kremlin has its own name. The highest of them is called Troitskaya, and the most famous - Spasskaya (there are chimes on it). However, there are two towers that have not received names for many centuries. Therefore, today they are called simply - the First Nameless and the Second Nameless.

5. There are many rumors about the ghosts of the Kremlin. They say that the spirit of Lenin still haunts the Kremlin. At the same time, the ghost made its first “exit” during the life of the leader: when Lenin lay mortally ill, his spirit walked around his office in the Kremlin, which frightened the guards a lot. And today, security officers sometimes scare people with stories that the ghost of Lenin roams the night corridors of the Kremlin.

6. For some reason, they never write about this in history books: in the 17th century, real hanging gardens were built on the territory of the modern Kremlin. Exotic fruits, nuts and outlandish flowers were grown here. However, in the conditions of the frosty Russian winter, it was very difficult to maintain such complex hanging structures, so the gardens were soon closed.

7. Not many legends are known about the Kremlin chimes. This is the main clock in Russia, which always shows exact time. It was not easy to achieve this: it was necessary to connect an electric cable from the chimes to the control clock of the Moscow Institute of Astronomy. Therefore, at any time you can look at the arrows of the chimes and be sure that the main clock in Russia does not lag even a second.

8. The Moscow Kremlin is the largest fortress in all of Europe. Its area is about 27 hectares.

9. The famous stars on the Kremlin towers weigh a little over a ton each. This is the only way to create jewelry that can withstand a hurricane of any strength. By the way, the location of Moscow on seven hills contributes to constant strong winds and hurricanes.

10. The Uphill Group conducted research to determine the exact cost of the Moscow Kremlin. As it turned out, the symbol of our country was valued at $50 billion.

What other mysteries does the Kremlin hide in itself? No guide in the world can answer these questions. Many studies on the secrets and history of the Kremlin have revealed many interesting facts, but it is not possible to confirm most of them: photos and historical documents were lost over the years.

Interesting facts about the Moscow Kremlin tell the secrets and history of this building. The Kremlin is the oldest part of Moscow and the main building of history, culture and politics. IN this moment The Moscow Kremlin is the official residence of the Russian President. What is interesting and remarkable about this building?

Previously, the place on which the Kremlin is now built was called Borovitsky Hill.. Archaeologists have found settlements of people who lived at that time. The finds date back to the 2nd century BC. All this testifies that the place of the Moscow Kremlin used to be the center of life for people. During paganism, Borovitsky Hill was the Witch's Mountain. Gods were worshiped on it, various rituals were performed.
This building contains more secrets than many people think. In addition to the main building, which everyone sees, there is also a dungeon. The secret passages of the Kremlin are being studied by experienced archaeologists. Interestingly, the underground labyrinths of the Kremlin and the Garden Ring are interconnected. Archaeologists have discovered a whole underground capital. From the Kremlin dungeon, you can get to the Sparrow Hills.
In the 17th century, hanging gardens were located on the territory of the Kremlin. There were two large gardens and several smaller ones. They grew fruits, nuts, and there was a real reservoir. Water was supplied to the gardens from a water tower.
Now everyone sees the Kremlin in red. Initially, when it was just built, it was also red. However, in the 17th century it was made white. One playwright described the Kremlin in these words: "The white paint that hides the cracks gives the Kremlin the appearance of youth, erasing its past." During the World War, a proposal was made to repaint the Kremlin to camouflage it. On it they painted the walls of houses, holes in windows. Well, it was returned to the red color after the end of the war.
Today, the Moscow Kremlin occupies a leading position among the fortresses of Russia. It is considered the largest, and not only in Russia, but also in Europe.
Always on the Kremlin chimes exact time. The answer to this question lies underground. The cable from the chimes is connected to the control clock at the Moscow Institute of Astronomy.
Initially, the Kremlin was decorated with two-headed eagles.. But in 1935 they were changed to ruby stars.
The weight of one star is a ton. They are able to withstand strong winds and hurricanes. When there are windy days in Moscow, the stars rotate, changing their position, turning sideways to the wind.
The Alhill Group appraised the Kremlin, its price was $50 billion.
In the days of the tsars, anyone could visit the territory of the Kremlin. Tickets were also issued to visit the Kremlin palaces.
Now the Kremlin is the center of Moscow, a sensitive facility. Interestingly, until the middle of the last century, Muscovites lived in it. In 1955, a law was passed prohibiting residence in the Kremlin. The last inhabitants of the Kremlin left it in 1962.
The Museum of Applied Arts was opened in 1955, everyone could visit it. Another grand building on the territory of the Kremlin is the Palace of Congresses. But he is not taken seriously, they say, against the background of other buildings, he is like a "glass".
Like all ancient buildings, the Kremlin is full of secrets. Basically, all the secrets and mysteries are connected with the dungeon. There is no exact map of the dungeon, it is lost. Archaeologists have not been able to study many corridors until our time. In the dungeon, there was the library of Ivan the Terrible. However, many books and documents were never found. There is an opinion that it simply burned down, or lies in one of the unexplored corridors.
When Napoleon Bonaparte attacked Russia, the Kremlin suffered huge damage. The French invaders were looking for valuables, they looted churches and burial places. And when Napoleon retreated, he partially blew up the walls and towers. The Kremlin was restored only in the 18th century. The October Revolution also brought destruction. The Kremlin was bombarded.
The Kremlin has 20 completely different towers. Each of them has its own history, name. They were rebuilt in the same style, of which the Nikolskaya Tower stands out. It is made in the Gothic style.

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1. Taynitskaya tower

The first tower, which was laid during the construction of the Kremlin, was Taynitskaya. The Taynitskaya tower is so named because a secret underground passage led from it to the river. It was intended to be able to take water in case the fortress was besieged by enemies. The height of the Tainitskaya tower is 38.4 m.

2. Vodovzvodnaya tower

3. Borovitskaya tower

At the Vodovzvodnaya Tower, the Kremlin wall turns away from the river. Here on the corner stands another tower - Borovitskaya. This tower stands near Borovitsky Hill, on which a pine forest grew a long time ago. From him came its name. The height of the tower with a star is 54.05 m.

4. Gun tower

Once upon a time, ancient weapons workshops were located next to it. They also made precious dishes and jewelry. The ancient workshops gave the name not only to the tower, but also to a wonderful museum located next to the Kremlin wall - the Armory. Many Kremlin treasures and simply very ancient things are collected here. The height of the Armory tower is 32.65 m.

5. Kutafya and Trinity Towers

If we go a little further along the walls of the Kremlin, we will see the Trinity Bridge. It was thrown across the Neglinnaya River many centuries ago, even before it was hidden underground. Troitsky Bridge leads to the gates of one of the tallest Kremlin towers - Troitskaya.

6. Kutafya tower.

In the old days, this was the name of a clumsily dressed woman. The tower was decorated already in the seventeenth century. Prior to this, Kutafya was very harsh, with drawbridges at the side gates and hinged loopholes. She guarded the entrance to the Trinity Bridge. The height of the Trinity Tower with a star is 80 m. This is the highest tower of the Moscow Kremlin. The Kutafya Tower is only 13.5 m high. This is the lowest tower of the Kremlin.

7. Corner Arsenal Tower

From a distance, it seems round, but if you get closer, it turns out to be not so at all, because it has 16 faces. This is the corner Arsenal tower. Once she was called Sobakina, by the name of a person who lived nearby. But in the 18th century, the Arsenal building was erected next to it, and the tower was renamed. There is a well in the dungeon of the corner Arsenal tower. He is over 500 years old. It is filled from an ancient source and therefore there is always clean and fresh water in it. Previously, there was an underground passage from the Arsenal Tower to the Neglinnaya River. The height of the tower is 60.2 m.

8. Middle Arsenal Tower

It was built in 1493-1495. After the construction of the Arsenal building, the tower got its name. Near the tower in 1812 a grotto was erected - one of the attractions of the Alexander Garden. The height of the tower is 38.9m.

9. Nabatnaya tower

Once upon a time, sentinels were constantly on duty here. From a height, they vigilantly watched - if the enemy army was coming to the city. And if danger was approaching, the sentinels had to warn everyone, strike the alarm bell. Because of him, the tower was called Nabatnaya. The height of the alarm tower is 38 m.

10. Royal tower

It is not at all like other Kremlin towers. There are 4 columns directly on the wall, and on them there is a peaked roof. There are no powerful walls, no narrow loopholes. But they are of no use to her. Because the tower was not built for defense at all. According to legend, Tsar Ivan the Terrible liked to look at his city from this place. Later, the smallest tower of the Kremlin was built here and called it the Tsarskaya. Its height is 16.7 m.

11. Constantino-Eleninskaya Tower

It was built in 1490 and used for the passage of the population and troops to the Kremlin. Earlier, when the Kremlin was made of white stone, another tower stood in this place. It was through her that Dmitry Donskoy with the army went to the Kulikovo field. The new tower was built for the reason that there were no natural barriers on its side outside the Kremlin. It was equipped with a drawbridge, a powerful diversion archer and a passage gate, which after, in the 18th and early 19th centuries. were disassembled. The tower got its name from the church of Constantine and Helena, which stood in the Kremlin. The height of the tower is 36.8m.

12. Senate Tower

The Senate Tower at first did not have a name, and received it only after the construction of the Senate building. After that, they began to call her the Senate. The tower was built in 1491, its height is 34.3 m.

13. Nikolskaya Tower

It was built in 1491. architect Pietro Antonio Solari to strengthen the northeastern part of the Kremlin, not protected by natural barriers. It had a gate, it had a retractable archer with a drawbridge. The name of the Nikolskaya Tower comes from the name of the icon of St. Nicholas, installed above the gates of her barbican. The height of the tower with a star is 70.4m.

14. Petrovsky tower

The Petrovsky tower was built to reinforce the southern wall, as it was the most frequently attacked. She received her name from the church of Metropolitan Peter at the Ugreshsky Compound in the Kremlin. The height of the tower is 27.15m.

15. Commandant's Tower

It was built in 1495. Its first name - Kolymazhna - received from the Kolymazhny courtyard of the Kremlin. In the 19th century, when the commandant of Moscow began to live in the Kremlin, not far from it, they began to call it Komendantskaya. The height of the tower is 41.25m.

16. Annunciation tower.

According to legend, the miraculous icon of the Annunciation was previously kept in this tower, as well as 1731. the Church of the Annunciation was attached to this tower. Most likely, the name of the tower is associated with one of these facts. In the 17th century for the passage of laundresses to the Moscow River, a gate was made near the tower, called Portomoyny. In 1831 they were laid down, and Soviet time The Church of the Annunciation was also dismantled. The height of the Annunciation Tower with a weather vane is 32.45 m.

17. Spasskaya Tower (Frolovskaya)

It was erected on the spot where the main gates of the Kremlin were located in ancient times. It, like Nikolskaya, was built to protect the northeastern part of the Kremlin, which had no natural water barriers. The passage gates of the Spasskaya Tower, at that time still Frolovskaya, were considered “holy” by the people. They did not pass through them on horseback and did not pass with their heads covered. Regiments marching on the march passed through these gates, tsars and ambassadors were met here. In 1658 The Kremlin towers have been renamed. Frolovskaya turned into Spasskaya. It was named so in honor of the icon of the Savior of Smolensk, located above the gate of the tower from the side of Red Square, and in honor of the icon of the Savior Not Made by Hands, located above the gate from the Kremlin. In 1851-52. a clock was installed on the Spasskaya Tower, which we still see. Kremlin chimes. Chimes are called large clocks that have a musical mechanism. At Kremlin chimes bells play music. There are eleven of them. One large one, it marks the hours, and ten smaller ones, their melodious chime is heard every 15 minutes. There is a special device in the chimes. It sets the hammer in motion, it strikes the surface of the bells and the sound of the Kremlin chimes sounds. The mechanism of the Kremlin chimes occupies three floors. Previously, the chimes were wound by hand, but now they do it with the help of electricity. The Spasskaya Tower occupies 10 floors. Its height with a star is 71 m.

Although the word chimes is quite universally recognized and denotes a type of tower or large room clock with bells that strike a certain melody every hour, playing it at different quarters in 15 minutes, but for every Russian, there is only one chimes in the world - the Moscow Kremlin Chimes.

Everyone knows that the Kremlin chimes are the country's main clock. But not many people know that today's chimes are the fourth in a row that were installed on the Spasskaya Tower. When the first appeared is not known for certain. The first record that has survived to this day and indicated the presence of a clock on the tower dates back to 1585. It is also not known for sure whether these were really the first clocks, but it is from them that the modern report is being made.

The first and second hours had not 12, but 17 hours, indicating the maximum length of daylight hours in summer. The first "correct" clock appeared on the Spasskaya Tower only in 1705 by decree of Peter I. Peter's Kremlin chimes were not of very high quality, although they were bought in Holland. They often broke down, and a whole staff of watchmakers was kept for their maintenance, the bulk of which were foreigners. After the capital moved to the newly built St. Petersburg, the interest of the authorities in the Kremlin chimes completely disappeared. The watch was serviced "sleevelessly". In 1770, the chimes even began to play an Austrian folk song only because the watchmaker of the chimes acting at that time, a German by birth, so desired. And the authorities did not pay attention to this for almost a year.

The clock was badly damaged when the French came to Moscow in 1812. After their expulsion, the clock was restored many times, but not for long. In 1852, the chimes that we see today appeared on the Spasskaya Tower. This time the watch was made in Russia, but under the direction of the Butenop brothers, they were Danes.

Watches were constantly reconstructed with the development of progress in a particular field of mechanics, materials science and other sciences. But even more often the melodies played by the chimes changed. The coronation of the new sovereign, and subsequently the turbulent events of 1717, changeable Soviet period more than once they changed the music played by the bells of the Spasskaya Tower. Today, the clock plays two melodies - the National Anthem of Russia at the 6 and 12 o'clock positions, and "Glory" from the opera A Life for the Tsar at the 3 and 9 o'clock positions. The rest of the time, a characteristic chime and a regular battle sound. Until 1937, the watch was wound manually twice a day, and then the process was mechanized by installing as many as three electric motors for the factory.

Today, the Kremlin chimes are one of the symbols of Russia, which, as in the old days, measure the course of the country's history.

The Moscow Kremlin has 20 towers and they are all different, no two are the same. Each tower has its own name and its own history. And for sure, many do not know the names of all the towers. Let's meet?
Most of the towers are made in a single architectural style, given to them in the second half of the 17th century. The Nikolskaya Tower stands out from the general ensemble, which in early XIX century was rebuilt in the Gothic style.

Beklemishevskaya (Moskvoretskaya)

The Beklemishevskaya (Moskvoretskaya) Tower is located in the southeast corner of the Kremlin. It was built by the Italian architect Marco Fryazin in 1487-1488. The courtyard of the boyar Beklemishev adjoined the tower, for which it got its name. Beklemishev's courtyard with a tower at Basil III served as a prison for disgraced boyars. The current name - "Moskvoretskaya" - is taken from the nearby Moskvoretsky Bridge. The tower was located at the junction of the Moskva River with the moat, so when the enemy attacked, it was the first to take the hit. The architectural solution of the tower is also connected with this: a high cylinder is placed on a beveled white stone plinth and separated from it by a semicircular roller. The surface of the cylinder is cut through by narrow, rarely spaced windows.
The tower is completed by machicolas with a combat platform, which was higher than the adjoining walls. In the basement of the tower there was a hiding place-a rumor to prevent undermining. In 1680, the tower was decorated with an octagon, carrying a tall narrow tent with two rows of eaves, which softened its severity. In 1707, expecting a possible offensive by the Swedes, Peter I ordered bastions to be built at its foot and the loopholes to be expanded to install more powerful guns. During the Napoleonic invasion, the tower was damaged and then repaired. In 1917, during the shelling, the top of the tower was damaged, which was restored by 1920. In 1949, during the restoration, the loopholes were restored in their original form. This is one of the few Kremlin towers that has not been radically rebuilt. The height of the tower is 62.2 meters.

Konstantin-Eleninskaya (Timofeevskaya)

The Constantino-Eleninskaya Tower owes its name to the Church of Constantine and Helena that stood here in antiquity. The tower was built in 1490 by the Italian architect Pietro Antonio Solari and was used for the passage of the population and troops to the Kremlin. Earlier, when the Kremlin was made of white stone, another tower stood in this place. It was through her that Dmitry Donskoy with the army went to the Kulikovo field. The new tower was built for the reason that the Kremlin had no natural barriers on its side. It was equipped with a drawbridge, a powerful diversion archer and a passage gate, which after, in the 18th and early 19th centuries. were disassembled. The tower got its name from the church of Constantine and Helena, which stood in the Kremlin. The height of the tower is 36.8 meters.

Nabatnaya

The alarm tower got its name from the large bell - the alarm that hung above it. Once upon a time, sentinels were constantly on duty here. From a height, they vigilantly watched - if the enemy army was coming to the city. And if danger was approaching, the sentinels had to warn everyone, strike the alarm bell. Because of him, the tower was called Nabatnaya. But now there is no bell in the tower. Once, at the end of the 18th century, a riot began in Moscow at the sound of the alarm bell. And when order was restored in the city, the bell was punished for disclosing bad news - they were deprived of the language. In those days it was a common practice to remember at least the history of the bell in Uglich. Since then, the alarm bell fell silent and remained idle for a long time until it was removed to the museum. The height of the Nabatnaya tower is 38 meters.

Royal

Royal tower. It is not at all like other Kremlin towers. There are 4 columns directly on the wall, and on them there is a peaked roof. There are no powerful walls, no narrow loopholes. But they are of no use to her. Because they were built two centuries later than the rest of the towers and not at all for defense. Previously, there was a small wooden tower at this place, from which, according to legend, the first Russian Tsar Ivan the Terrible watched the Red Square. Later, the smallest tower of the Kremlin was built here and called it the Tsarskaya. Its height is 16.7 meters.

Spasskaya (Frolovskaya)

Spasskaya (Frolovskaya) tower. Built in 1491 by Pietro Antonio Solari. This name comes from the 17th century, when an icon of the Savior was hung over the gates of this tower. It was erected on the spot where in ancient times the main gates of the Kremlin were located. It, like Nikolskaya, was built to protect the northeastern part of the Kremlin, which had no natural water barriers. The passage gates of the Spasskaya Tower, at that time still Frolovskaya, were considered “holy” by the people. They did not pass through them on horseback and did not pass with their heads covered. Regiments marching on the march passed through these gates, tsars and ambassadors were met here. In the 17th century, the coat of arms of Russia, the double-headed eagle, was hoisted on the tower, and a little later, the coats of arms were hoisted on other high towers of the Kremlin - Nikolskaya, Troitskaya and Borovitskaya. In 1658 the Kremlin towers were renamed.
Frolovskaya turned into Spasskaya. It was named so in honor of the icon of the Savior of Smolensk, located above the gate of the tower from the side of Red Square, and in honor of the icon of the Savior Not Made by Hands, located above the gate from the Kremlin. In 1851-52. a clock was installed on the Spasskaya Tower, which we still see. Kremlin chimes. Chimes are called large clocks that have a musical mechanism. At the Kremlin chimes, bells play music. There are eleven of them. One large one, it marks the hours, and ten smaller ones, their melodious chime is heard every 15 minutes. There is a special device in the chimes. It sets the hammer in motion, it strikes the surface of the bells and the sound of the Kremlin chimes sounds. The mechanism of the Kremlin chimes occupies three floors. Previously, the chimes were wound by hand, but now they do it with the help of electricity. The Spasskaya Tower occupies 10 floors. Its height with a star is 71 meters.

Senate

The Senate Tower was built in 1491 by Pietro Antonio Solari, rises behind the Lenin Mausoleum and is named after the Senate, whose green dome rises above the fortress wall. The Senate Tower is one of the oldest in the Kremlin. Built in 1491 in the center of the northeastern part of the Kremlin wall, it performed only defensive functions - it protected the Kremlin from Red Square. The height of the tower is 34.3 meters.

Nikolskaya

Nikolskaya Tower is located at the beginning of Red Square. In ancient times, there was a monastery of St. Nicholas the Old nearby, and an icon of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker was placed above the gate of the tower. The gate tower, built in 1491 by the architect Pietro Solari, was one of the main defensive redoubts in the eastern part of the Kremlin wall. The name of the tower comes from the St. Nicholas Monastery, located nearby. Therefore, an icon of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker was placed over the travel gates of the archer. Like all towers with entrance gates, Nikolskaya had a drawbridge across the moat and protective bars that were lowered during the battle.
The Nikolskaya Tower went down in history in 1612, when troops broke into the Kremlin through its gates. militia, led by Minin and Pozharsky, who liberated Moscow from the Polish-Lithuanian invaders. In 1812, the Nikolskaya Tower, along with many others, was blown up by Napoleon's troops retreating from Moscow. The upper part of the tower was especially damaged. In 1816, she was replaced by the architect O.I. Beauvais on a new needle-shaped dome in pseudo-Gothic style. In 1917 the tower suffered again. This time from artillery fire. In 1935, the dome of the tower was crowned with a five-pointed star. In the 20th century, the tower was restored in 1946-1950s and in 1973-1974s. Now the height of the tower is 70.5 meters.

Corner Arsenalnaya (Sobakina)

The corner Arsenal tower was built in 1492 by Pietro Antonio Solari and is located further away, in the corner of the Kremlin. First named in early XVIII century, after the construction of the Arsenal building on the territory of the Kremlin, the second comes from the nearby estate of the Sobakin boyars. There is a well in the dungeon of the corner Arsenal tower. He is over 500 years old. It is filled from an ancient source and therefore there is always clean and fresh water in it. Previously, there was an underground passage from the Arsenal Tower to the Neglinnaya River. The height of the tower is 60.2 meters.

Medium Arsenalnaya (faceted)

The Middle Arsenal Tower rises from the side of the Alexander Garden and is called so because there was a weapons depot right behind it. It was built in 1493-1495. After the construction of the Arsenal building, the tower got its name. Near the tower in 1812 a grotto was erected - one of the attractions of the Alexander Garden. The height of the tower is 38.9 meters.

Troitskaya

The Trinity Tower is named after the church and the Trinity Compound, which were once nearby on the territory of the Kremlin. Troitskaya Tower is the tallest tower in the Kremlin. The height of the tower at present, together with the star from the direction of the Alexander Garden, is 80 meters. The Trinity Bridge, protected by the Kutafya Tower, leads to the gates of the Trinity Tower. The gates of the tower serve as the main entrance for visitors to the Kremlin. Built in 1495-1499. Italian architect Aleviz Fryazin Milanets. The tower was called differently: Rizopolozhenskaya, Znamenskaya and Karetnaya.
It received its current name in 1658 after the name of the Trinity Compound of the Kremlin. In the two-story base of the tower in XVI-XVII centuries housed a prison. From 1585 to 1812 there was a clock on the tower. At the end of the 17th century, the tower received a multi-tiered tent superstructure with white stone decorations. In 1707, due to the threat of a Swedish invasion, the loopholes of the Trinity Tower were expanded for heavy cannons. Until 1935, an imperial double-headed eagle was installed on top of the tower. By the next date October revolution it was decided to remove the eagle and install red stars on it and the rest of the main towers of the Kremlin. The double-headed eagle of the Trinity Tower turned out to be the oldest - manufactured in 1870 and prefabricated on bolts, therefore, when dismantled, it had to be dismantled at the top of the tower. In 1937, the faded semi-precious star was replaced with a modern ruby one.

Kutafya

Kutafya tower (connected by a bridge with Troitskaya). Her name is associated with this: in the old days, a casually dressed, clumsy woman was called a kutafya. Indeed, the Kutafya tower is not high, like the others, but squat, wide. The tower was built in 1516 under the leadership of the Milanese architect Aleviz Fryazin. Low, surrounded by a moat and the Neglinnaya River, with the only gate, which in moments of danger was tightly closed by the lifting part of the bridge, the tower was a formidable barrier for the besiegers of the fortress. She had loopholes of the plantar battle and machicolations. In the 16th-17th centuries, the water level in the Neglinnaya River was raised high by dams, so that the water surrounded the tower from all sides. Its initial height above ground level was 18 meters. It was possible to enter the tower from the side of the city only on an inclined bridge. There are two versions of the origin of the name "Kutafya": from the word "kut" - shelter, corner, or from the word "kutafya", denoting a full, clumsy woman. The Kutafya Tower has never been covered. In 1685, it was crowned with an openwork "crown" with white stone details.

Komendantskaya (Kolymazhnaya)

The commandant's tower got its name in the 19th century, since the commandant of Moscow was located in the building nearby. The tower was built in 1493-1495 on the northwestern side of the Kremlin wall, which today stretches along the Alexander Garden. It was formerly called Kolymazhnaya after the Kolymazhny yard located near it in the Kremlin. In 1676-1686 it was built on. The tower is made up of a massive quadrangle with machicolations (mounted loopholes) and a parapet and an open tetrahedron standing on it, completed with a pyramidal roof, an observation tower and an octagonal ball. In the main volume of the tower there are three tiers of rooms covered with barrel vaults; vaults are covered and tiers of completion. In the 19th century, the tower was called “Komendantskaya” when the commandant of Moscow settled in the Kremlin, in the Poteshny Palace of the 17th century. The height of the tower from the Alexander Garden is 41.25 meters.

Armory (Stable)

The armory tower, which once stood on the banks of the Neglinnaya River, now enclosed in an underground pipe, was named after the nearby Armory, the second comes from the nearby Stable Yard. Once upon a time, ancient weapons workshops were located next to it. They also made precious dishes and jewelry. The ancient workshops gave the name not only to the tower, but also to a wonderful museum located next to the Kremlin wall - the Armory. Many Kremlin treasures and simply very ancient things are collected here. For example, helmets and chain mail of ancient Russian warriors. The height of the Armory Tower is 32.65 meters.

Borovitskaya (Predtechenskaya)

Built in 1490 by Pietro Antonio Solari. Travel card. The first name of the tower - the original, comes from the Borovitsky hill, on the slope of which the tower stands; the name of the hill, apparently, comes from the ancient forest that grew on this place. The second name, assigned by the royal decree of 1658, comes from the nearby Church of the Nativity of John the Baptist and the icon of St. John the Baptist, located above the gate. Currently - the main passage for government motorcades. The height of the tower is 54 meters.

Vodovzvodnaya (Sviblova)

Vodovzvodnaya tower - so named because of the car that was here once. She raised water from a well, arranged at the bottom to the very top of the tower into a large tank. From there, water flowed through lead pipes to the royal palace in the Kremlin. Thus, in the old days, the Kremlin had its own water supply system. He worked for a long time, but then the car was dismantled and taken to St. Petersburg. There it was used for the device of fountains. The height of the Vodovzvodnaya tower with a star is 61.45 meters. The second name of the tower is associated with the boyar surname Sviblo, or Sviblovs, who were responsible for its construction.

Blagoveshchenskaya

Annunciation tower. According to legend, the miraculous icon of the Annunciation was previously kept in this tower, and in 1731 the Church of the Annunciation was attached to this tower. Most likely, the name of the tower is associated with one of these facts. In the 17th century, for the passage of laundresses to the Moscow River, a gate was made near the tower, called Portomoinny. In 1831 they were laid down, and in Soviet times the Church of the Annunciation was also dismantled. The height of the Annunciation Tower with a weather vane is 32.45 meters.

Taynitskaya

The Tainitskaya Tower is the first tower built during the construction of the Kremlin. It was named so because a secret underground passage led from it to the river. It was intended to be able to take water in case the fortress was besieged by enemies. The height of the Tainitskaya tower is 38.4 meters.

First Nameless Tower

Built in the 1480s. The tower ends with a simple tetrahedral pyramidal tent. The inside of the tower is formed by two tiers of vaulted rooms: the lower tier with a cross vault and the upper tier with a closed vault. The upper quadrangle is open into the cavity of the tent. One of the two towers which did not get a name. Height 34.15 meters.

Second Nameless

Built in the 1480s. Above the upper quadrangle of the tower is an octagonal tent with a weather vane; the upper quadrangle is open inside the tent. The interior of the tower includes two levels of rooms; the lower tier has a cylindrical vault, and the upper one is closed. Height 30.2 meters.

Petrovskaya (Ugreshskaya)

The Petrovsky tower, together with two nameless ones, was built to reinforce the southern wall, as it was the most frequently attacked. Like the two nameless ones, the Petrovsky Tower did not have a name at first. She received her name from the church of Metropolitan Peter at the Ugreshsky Compound in the Kremlin. In 1771, during the construction of the Kremlin Palace, the tower, the church of Metropolitan Peter and the Ugreshskoye metochion were dismantled. In 1783 the tower was rebuilt, but in 1812 the French destroyed it again during the occupation of Moscow. In 1818, the Petrovsky Tower was restored again. It was used for their needs by the Kremlin gardeners. The height of the tower is 27.15 meters.