The Kremlin

 

 

The Arsenal

 

 

 

Palace of Congresses

 

 

 

Apparently the central window is Putin's office

 

 

 

The Great Kremlin Palace

 

 

 

The Armoury

 

 

 

Russian Field Cannons - 17th & 18th Century

 

 

 

The Tsar Cannon

 

 

 

The Tsar Bell

 

 

 

The Cathedral of The Assumption

 

 

 

The Patriarch's Palace

 

 

 

Ivan The Great Bell Tower & Belfry

 

 

 

The Cathedral of The Archangel

 

 

 

Cathedral of The Annunciation

 

 

 

The Faceted Palace

 

 

 

The Church of the Deposition of the Robe

 

 

 

Alexander Gardens

 

 

 

Tomb of the Unknown Soldier

 

 

 

The Grotto

 

 

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The tour of the Kremlin consists of walking by some government buildings (being careful not to step over any white lines which raises the ire of guards with whistles), then on to Cathedral square passing by a couple of "oddities", before seeing the fabulous treasuries housed in the Armoury. The couple of "oddities" are the world's biggest cannon and biggest bell. Both have never been used. The Tsar Bell has a 12-ton chunk cracked off it. If anyone tried to fire the 1-ton balls from the Tsar Cannon, it too would most probably disintegrate.

 

What does it say about the psyche of the world's biggest country (by landmass) that they are proud to show off a couple of the world's largest failures in the heart of their political domain?

 

 

 

The Kremlin has its own website with a good interactive map with 360 degree views from various points round the complex.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Visiting on a Sunday, none of the Government offices seemed to be in use.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

No photography allowed in the Armoury. Shame, there were some fabulous treasures.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This 16th century monstrosity is technically a mortar not a cannon, but so what?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This 18th century bell never got beyond the foundry stage.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Cathedral Square is the central square of the Moscow Kremlin where all of its streets used to converge in the 15th century. There are three cathedrals surrounding this square as well as a couple of churches and palaces and a unique belfry ensemble. After the Red Square, this is the most photogenic square in Moscow.

 

Though most of the buildings  in this square are open, on our (rushed) tour, we only managed to briefly visit one, the splendid Cathedral of the Assumption.

 

Again unfortunately photography is forbidden inside.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Belfries don't come more spectacular than this ensemble.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Alexander Gardens adjoin the Western side of the Kremlin. A great place to have a peaceful stroll in the centre of Moscow.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Grotto is an unusual commemoration of the victory against Napoleon.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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