Kremlin

What is the Moscow Kremlin? For the majority « Kremlin» means the seat of political power in Russia, the place where the country is run from. In international political talk the Kremlin became synonimous with the Soviet regime and its policies.

However, originally the Kremlin was a fortress. Smolensk, Kolomna, Pskov and Nizhny Novgorod had similar fortifications protecting the citizens.

One of the Kremlin’s greatest treasures is the cathedral ensemble at Sobornaya square.

The beautiful Assumption Cathedral was the main church of Russian state for the period of 500 years.

Until the end of the nineteenth century all the imperial weddings and coronations were held there.

The cathedral of Archangel Mikhail is the largest royal necropolis in Russia housing the graves of all princes and tzars who died in between 1340 and 1730.

The Annunciation cathedral was constructed in the 15th century. The cathedral’s dean was twar’s
confessor even when the capital was moved to St Petersburg!

Czar Bell and Czar Cannon are the other important tourist attractions at Kremlin grounds. The cannon weighs 2400 pounds or nearly 40 tons! Its barrel is 5,34 meters long, 120 cm in diameter and 890 mm in caliber! The Czar bell is also huge and weighs about 200 tons! Both of the items were never used, of course.