Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary on Red Square. What you need to know about St. Basil's Cathedral. Cathedral at the end of the 16th-19th centuries

The cathedral, named after St. Basil, in the capital of Russia, Moscow, is located on its main square - Red Square. Throughout the world, it is considered a symbol of Russia, just as the symbol for residents of the United States is the Statue of Liberty, for Brazilians - the statue of Christ with outstretched arms, and for the French - the Eiffel Tower, located in Paris. Nowadays, the temple is one of the divisions of the Russian Historical Museum. In 1990, it was included in the UNESCO architectural heritage list.

Description of appearance

The cathedral is a unique architectural ensemble consisting of nine churches located on a single base. It reaches 65 meters in height and has 11 domes - these are nine church domes, one dome crowning the bell tower, and one rising above the chapel. The cathedral unites ten chapels (churches), some of them are consecrated in honor of revered saints. The days on which their memory was celebrated coincided with the time of the decisive battles for Kazan.

Around the temple, churches were built dedicated to:

• Holy Trinity.
• The entry of the Lord into the borders of Jerusalem.
• Saint Nicholas the Wonderworker.
• Gregory of Armenia - enlightener, Catholicos of all Armenians.
• Holy Martyrs Cyprian and Ustinia.
• Alexander Svirsky - reverend Orthodox saint, abbot.
• Varlaam Khutynsky - Novgorod miracle worker.
• Patriarchs of Constantinople, Saints Paul, John and Alexander.
• Saint Basil - Moscow's holy fool.

Construction cathedral on Red Square in Moscow, by decree of Ivan the Terrible, began in 1555, it lasted until 1561. According to one version, it was erected in honor of the capture of Kazan and the final conquest of the Kazan Khanate, and according to another, in connection with the Orthodox holiday - the Intercession of the Most Holy Mother of God.

There are a number of versions of the construction of this beautiful and unique cathedral. One of them says that the architects of the temple were famous architect Postnik Yakovlev from Pskov and master Ivan Barma. The names of these architects were learned in 1895 thanks to the found manuscript collection of the 17th century. in the archives of the Rumyantsev Museum, where there were records about the masters. This version is generally accepted, but is questioned by some historians.

According to another version, the architect of the cathedral, like most of the buildings of the Moscow Kremlin that were erected earlier, was an unknown master from Western Europe, presumably from Italy. It is believed that this is why a unique architectural style appeared, which combines Renaissance architecture and exquisite Russian style. However, to date there is no evidence supported by documents for this version.

The legend of blinding and the second name of the temple

There is an opinion that the architects Postnik and Barma, who built the cathedral by order of Ivan the Terrible, were blinded upon completion construction so that they could not build anything similar again. But this version does not stand up to criticism, since Postnik, after completing the construction of the Intercession Cathedral, was engaged in the construction of the Kazan Kremlin for several years.

As already mentioned, the Cathedral of the Intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, which is on the Moat, is the correct name of the temple, and St. Basil's Church is a colloquial name that gradually replaced the official one. The name of the Church of the Intercessions of the Blessed Virgin Mary mentions a moat, which at that time ran along the entire Kremlin wall and served for defense. It was called Alevizov ditch, its depth was about 13 m, and its width was about 36 m. It received its name after the architect Aloisio da Carezano, who worked in Russia at the end of the 15th - beginning of the 16th centuries. The Russians called him Aleviz Fryazin.

Stages of construction of the cathedral

By the end of the 16th century. New figured domes of the cathedral appear, since the original ones were destroyed by fire. In 1672, a small church was built on the southeastern side of the temple directly above the burial place of St. John the Blessed (the holy fool revered by Moscow residents). In the 2nd half of the 17th century. Significant changes are being made to the appearance of the cathedral. Wooden the canopies over the galleries of churches (gulbischi), which were constantly burned down in fires, were replaced by a roof supported by arched brick pillars.

Above the porch (the porch in front of the main entrance to the church) a church is being built in honor of St. Theodosius the Virgin. Above the white stone stairs that lead to the upper tier of the cathedral, vaulted hipped porches are built, built on “creeping” arches. At the same time, ornamental polychrome painting appeared on the walls and vaults. It is also applied to supporting columns, to the walls of galleries located outside, and to parapets. On the facades of churches there is a painting that imitates brickwork.

In 1683, a tiled inscription was created along the upper cornice of the entire cathedral, which encircles the temple. Large yellow letters on a dark blue background of tiles told about the history of the creation and renovation of the temple in the 2nd half of the 17th century. Unfortunately, a hundred years later the inscription was destroyed during renovation work. In the eighties of the 17th century. The belfry is being rebuilt. In place of the old belfry, a new, two-level bell tower with an open area for bell ringers is being built on the second tier. In 1737, during a severe fire, the cathedral was significantly damaged, especially its southern part and the church located there.

Significant changes during the renovation of the cathedral in 1770-1780. The painting program was also affected. The altars from the wooden churches located on Red Square were moved under the arches of the cathedral and onto its territory. These churches were dismantled to avoid fires, which happened very often at that time. In the same period, the throne of the Three Patriarchs of Constantinople was renamed in honor of John the Merciful, and the temple of Cyprian and Justina was named after Saints Adrian and Natalia. The original names of the temples were returned to them with the onset of the twentieth century.

From the beginning of the 19th century. The following improvements were made to the temple:

• The inside of the church was painted with “storyline” oil painting, depicting the faces of saints and scenes from their lives. The painting was updated in the middle and at the end of the 19th century.
• On the front side, the walls were decorated with a pattern similar to masonry made of large wild stones.
• The arches of the non-residential lower tier (basement) were laid, and in its western part housing was arranged for the temple servants (clergy).
• The cathedral building and the bell tower were combined with an extension.
• The Church of Theodosius the Virgin, which is the upper part of the chapel of the cathedral, was converted into a sacristy - a place in which shrines and church valuables were kept.

During the war in 1812, the soldiers of the French army, who occupied Moscow and the Kremlin, kept horses in the basement of the Intercession Church. Later, Napoleon Bonaparte, amazed by the extraordinary beauty of the cathedral, wanted to transport him to Paris, but making sure that this was impossible, the French command ordered its artillerymen to blow up the cathedral.

Consecration after the War of 1812

But Napoleon’s troops only plundered the cathedral, they failed to blow it up, and immediately after the end of the war it was repaired and consecrated. The area around the cathedral was landscaped and surrounded by a cast-iron lattice fence designed by the famous architect Osip Bove.

At the end of the 19th century. for the first time the question of recreating the cathedral in its original form was raised. A special commission was appointed to restore the unique architectural and cultural monument. It included famous architects, talented painters and famous scientists, who developed a plan for the study and further restoration of the cathedral. However, due to lack of funding, the First World War and the October Revolution, it was not possible to implement the developed restoration plan.

Cathedral at the beginning of the twentieth century

In 1918, the cathedral was practically the first to be taken under state protection as a monument of world and national significance. And since May 1923, the cathedral was opened to everyone who wanted to visit it as a historical architectural museum. Divine services in the Church of St. Basil the Blessed were held until before 1929. In 1928, the cathedral became a branch of the historical museum, which it still is today.

After the October Revolution, the new authorities found funds and large-scale work began, which was not only restoration in nature, but also scientific. Thanks to this, it becomes possible to restore the original image of the cathedral and reproduce the interiors and decorations of the 16th-17th centuries in some churches.

From that moment until our time, four large-scale restorations have been carried out, which included both architectural and pictorial works. The original painting, stylized as brickwork, was recreated on the outside of the Intercession Church and the Church of Alexander Svirsky.

Restoration work in the mid-twentieth century

In the mid-twentieth century, a number of unique restoration works were carried out:

• In one of the interiors of the central temple, a “temple chronicle” was discovered; it was in it that the architects indicated exact date completion of the construction of the Intercession Cathedral, it is the date 07/12/1561 (in the Orthodox calendar - the day of Equal-to-the-Apostles St. Peter and St. Paul).
• For the first time, the iron sheet covering on the domes is being replaced with copper. As time has shown, the choice of replacement material turned out to be very successful; this covering of the domes has survived to this day and is in very good condition.
• In the interiors of four churches, the iconostasis was reconstructed, which almost entirely consisted of unique ancient icons of the 16th - 17th centuries. Among them there are real masterpieces of the school of icon painting of Ancient Rus', for example, “Trinity”, written in the 16th century. Collections of icons from the 16th - 17th centuries are considered a special pride. - “Nikola Velikoretsky in the Life”, “Visions of the Sexton Tarasius”, “Alexander Nevsky in the Life”.

Completion of restoration

In the 1970s, on the bypass external gallery, under later inscriptions, a fresco dating from the 17th century was discovered. The found painting was the basis for reproducing the original ornamental painting on facades St. Basil's Cathedral. The last years of the twentieth century. became very important in the history of the museum. As mentioned earlier, the cathedral was included in the UNESCO heritage list. After a significant break, services in the temple resume.

In 1997, the restoration of all interior spaces, easel and monumental paintings was completed in the temple, which was closed in 1929. The temple is introduced into the general exposition of the cathedral on the moat and services begin in it. At the beginning of the 21st century. seven cathedral churches were completely restored, facade paintings were updated, and tempera painting was partially recreated.

Once in Moscow, you should definitely visit Red Square and enjoy the extraordinary beauty of St. Basil's Cathedral: both its external exquisite architectural elements and its interior decoration. And also take a photo as a keepsake against the backdrop of this beautiful ancient structure, capturing it in all its majestic beauty.

The famous colorful Church of the Intercession on the Moat, one of the main attractions of Moscow, was erected in 1555-1561 to commemorate the capture of Kazan by Russian troops in 1552. It was consecrated in honor of the Feast of the Intercession because the attack of Russian troops on Kazan began on this very day. We are accustomed to perceiving the cathedral as one, but in fact it consists of ten independent churches. Hence the bizarre, unique appearance of the entire cathedral, or, better said, the temple complex.

Initially, there were nine churches, with the central one dedicated to the Protection of the Virgin Mary, and the remaining eight to a specific holiday or saint, on whose day one or another memorable event occurred related to the siege of Kazan. In 1588, a church was added to the complex over the burial place of the famous Moscow Blessed Basil, and this is the only one that has the right to be called, in the strict sense of the word, the Church of St. Basil.

So, we will talk about the Intercession Multi-Church Cathedral, as it was built in 1555-1561. In many books, even in our time, you can read that its construction was carried out under the supervision of two masters - Barma and Posnik. There are, however, versions that the construction was supervised by unknown Italian masters. But it has no documentary evidence and no argumentation, except for the unusual appearance of the cathedral. N.M. Karamzin rashly called the style of the Intercession Cathedral “Gothic,” but this is absolutely incorrect from an art criticism point of view, and only the authority of the “first Russian historiographer” allows some to still insist on the foreign authorship of the original St. Basil’s Cathedral.
Where did the idea come from that the construction was supervised by two masters?

In 1896, priest Ivan Kuznetsov published an excerpt from a handwritten collection then kept in the Rumyantsev Museum. This collection was compiled no earlier than the end of the 17th - beginning of the 18th century. It contains “The Legend of the Transfer of the Miraculous Image of Nicholas the Wonderworker,” which was a royal gift to the Intercession Cathedral. This late legend says that Tsar Ivan the Terrible, soon after the capture of Kazan, erected seven wooden churches around a larger, eighth, stone one, near the Frolovsky Gate (i.e., from the 17th century, the gate of the Kremlin’s Spasskaya Tower). “And then God gave him two Russian masters, nicknamed Barma and Postnik, who were wise and suitable for such a wonderful work.” This information about the “two masters” was taken for granted by most historians.

But the legend, which reinterpreted the old legend, was not a chronicle text. In addition, let us recall that the expression “by nickname” in the Russian language of that time, as now, meant only a person’s nickname, and not his own name. A barma could be called a skilled craftsman, since barma are mantles on the clothes of kings and spiritual dignitaries, richly and variously decorated and requiring skillful and careful execution. Posnik, or Postnik, is a proper name. Therefore, it is not logical that in the “Tale” the first master is named only by a nickname without a name, and the second - only by a name without a nickname.

More reliable can be considered the text from the “Russian Chronicler from the beginning of the Russian land to the accession to the throne of Tsar Alexei Mikhailovich,” written in the first half of the 17th century, that is, much closer in time to the event of interest to us. In it we read: “In the same year, by order of the Tsar and Sovereign and Grand Duke Ivan, a church was started, promised for the capture of Kazan in honor of the Trinity and the Intercession..., and the master was Barma and his comrades.” Only one architect is named here, but, obviously, not due to ignorance of the name of the second master (Posnik), but because it was the same person.

Subsequently, another source was found indicating that the names Posnik and Barma actually refer to one, and not two, individuals. It follows from it that the manuscript of the Code of Laws of 1550 belonged until 1633 to the monastery solicitor, the Moscow serviceman Druzhina. Druzhina was the son of Tarutia and the grandson of Posnik, who had the nickname Barma. The matter seems completely clear: two mythical masters, one of whom was called Barma, and the other - Posnik, are united into one historical person - Posnik (this, of course, is not a baptismal name, but something like a modern surname) nicknamed Barma, which meant that this a person skilled in crafts.

Moreover, the architect Postnik of that time is known for the construction of a number of other buildings, namely: the Kazan Kremlin, St. Nicholas and Assumption Cathedrals in Sviyazhsk. However, this fact, brilliantly proven back in 1957 by the domestic archaeologist N.F. Kalinin, are still ignored by many historians and art critics who, out of habit, talk about Barma and Postnik as the two builders of the Intercession Cathedral.

For five centuries, St. Basil's Cathedral has been one of the main symbols of Moscow and Russia as a whole. However, there are still many legends surrounding it.

Architects Barma and Postnik, who were blinded by Ivan the Terrible

It is believed that the builders of the cathedral were Russian architects Barma and Postnik, and then Ivan the Terrible deprived them of their sight. In fact, the name of the architect is still unknown. In chronicles and documents contemporary with the construction of the temple, there is no mention of Barma and Postnik. Their names appear only in later sources of the 16th-17th centuries: “The Life of Metropolitan Jonah”, “The Piskarevsky Chronicler” and “The Tale of the Velikoretsk Icon of the Wonderworker Nikola”.

There are several points of view regarding who the architect of the cathedral is. Soviet historian Nikolai Kalinin wrote that the builder of the cathedral was one person - Postnik Yakovlev, nicknamed Barma. A representative of the modern school, Alexander Melnik, developing the idea of ​​the historian and art critic Nikolai Brunov, claims that the architect was of Western European origin.

At the beginning of the 17th century, a legend appeared about the blinding of the architects of St. Basil's Cathedral by Ivan the Terrible so that they could not repeat their masterpiece. But this story has no documentary evidence.

Construction of the cathedral was completed in 1560

Until the middle of the 20th century, it was common to think that the temple was built in 1560: this date appeared in all official documents, monographs and scientific works. But during the restoration of 1957, under several layers of oil painting in the tent of the central church of the temple, a temple inscription was found. 4 years later, when it was fully revealed, the exact date of the consecration of the cathedral became clear - July 12, 1561 according to the new style.

St. Basil's Cathedral - the official name of the cathedral

Since the end of the 17th century, the name of St. Basil's Cathedral has been assigned to the cathedral. Meanwhile, it is consecrated by the Cathedral of the Intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, which is on the Moat, and is still called that in official sources.

The cathedral was erected on the occasion of the victory in the Kazan campaign and was initially more of a memorial: it was not heated, and services were not held in winter. In 1588, after the discovery of the relics of St. Basil, a chapel appeared named after him. This church, the only one of the entire temple, was open to parishioners and pilgrims all year round, even at night. Thus, the name of St. Basil's Church became the “popular” name of the entire cathedral.

St. Basil collected funds for the construction of the temple

According to one of the legends established in folklore, St. Basil collected money for the construction of the temple. Allegedly, he brought coins to Red Square, threw them over his right shoulder, and no one touched them until the holy fool handed over the entire amount to Ivan the Terrible before his death.

But this myth is not reflected in any of the editions of the saint’s life. Moreover, according to the text of the abbreviated life, the saint died on August 2, 1552: 2 months before the end of the Kazan campaign - the event to which the construction of the temple was timed. And the cathedral itself was founded only three years later, in 1555.

All churches of St. Basil's Cathedral are dedicated to the Kazan campaign

Not all cathedral churches have a connection with this event. Less than half, 4 out of 9 churches, are dedicated to the campaign. The Church of the Holy Trinity, for example, was built on the site of the ancient Trinity Church, which is why it is named so. The chapel of St. Basil, as already mentioned, was consecrated in the name of the holy fool buried in this place. In honor of the corresponding holiday, the Church of the Entry of the Lord into Jerusalem was built. Varlaam Khutynsky, after whom the southwestern church is named, was the patron of the royal family. And the Church of St. Nicholas of Velikoretsky is dedicated to the image of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker.

Library of Ivan the Terrible in the basements of the Intercession Cathedral

There is a legend that in the gloomy basements of the Intercession Cathedral there is a library of Ivan the Terrible. The only problem is that there are no basements here and there cannot be: the temple was erected on an artificial embankment hill, the only possible one was a shallow strip foundation. It barely reaches 2 meters with a 61-meter building height. The support of the structure is concentrated in the basement.

The visual function of the basement is performed by the space between the first tier of the abolished Church of Theodosius the Virgin and the cathedral sacristy of the 17th century. The restorers deliberately left it untouched so that the vaults of Theodosius the Virgin and the authentic wall of the adjacent St. Basil's Church could be seen.

Attempts to destroy the temple and opposition to them

According to legend, Napoleon Bonaparte was the first to try to blow up the cathedral. But after the Muscovites prayed, a miracle happened: it began to rain and extinguished the wicks of the French cannons. There is no documentary evidence of this story, as well as the famous incident with Kaganovich. Allegedly, when he presented the project for the reconstruction of Red Square to Stalin and removed the figurine of the cathedral from the model, the leader commanded: “Lazarus, put it in its place!”

There is also no official evidence that the architect and restorer Pyotr Baranovsky actively advocated protection from destruction. In 1936, the authorities decided that the temple interfered with car traffic, and asked Baranovsky to take measurements for demolition. Then, according to his daughter, the restorer sent a telegram to the Kremlin: he declared that he would blow himself up along with the cathedral.

During his arrest, the architect was allegedly blackmailed with the fact that the cathedral had already been blown up. According to legend, having been released early, Baranovsky first went to Red Square to personally verify that St. Basil's Cathedral was still in place.

Attractions

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The most famous and iconic place in Russia and Moscow, a witness to the fateful events of the past, and now the main arena of grandiose festivities in Moscow - Red Square - is rightfully called the heart of the capital and the face of the country. The history and power of the entire state are imprinted in its appearance. The majestic beauty and unchanging solemnity of a truly iconic place delights tourists from all over the world, who never tire of capturing the full power and monumentality of the square in vivid photographs. A walk around Red Square and its immediate surroundings is not just mandatory, but a priority route for every guest in Moscow. After all, it is in this public space, which has become sacred over several centuries, that the main attractions and a whole complex of unique monuments are concentrated, embodying national ideas and values ​​of different eras. These - the main objects that make up the capital's most popular walking route - will be discussed in our guide.

“The earth, as we know, begins from the Kremlin...” The history of the main square in Moscow also began from the Moscow Kremlin. At the end of the 15th century, after a devastating fire, the burned-out space between the north-eastern Kremlin wall and Torg was not built up; the surviving buildings were demolished, and trade soon began to boil in the newly formed square. Fire, Torg, Trinity (after the Church of the Holy Trinity) - this is how the area adjacent to the Kremlin was called for almost two centuries. The modern name was assigned to it at the end of the 17th century. The place was named Red Square not because of the red color of the Kremlin walls, but because of its exceptional beauty. The most crowded place in Moscow, which became not only the commercial but also the political center of the city, was gradually built up with magnificent buildings - real masterpieces of architecture. At the same time, the Kremlin has always remained the main attraction, located in close proximity to Red Square.

The medieval fortress, which served as the residence of Russian rulers since the end of the 15th century, is to this day the main socio-political and spiritual center of the country. The Moscow Kremlin is one of the world's largest architectural ensembles, the appearance of which has evolved over the centuries. “The Place of the Greatest Historical Memories” has surprisingly many faces: the high walls and towers amaze with their power and beauty, and the ancient temples and chambers, palaces and administrative buildings delight with their monumental solemnity. The Kremlin is also a unique museum complex in Moscow, one of the richest treasuries of historical and artistic relics and monuments. Having absorbed the centuries-old culture of the country, the Kremlin turned into a national shrine and became an undeniable symbol of the great state.

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Landmark, Museum, Religion, Landmark

The main temple in Moscow is the Cathedral of the Intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, which is on the moat, built on Red Square in 1555–1561. The construction of a grandiose religious building marked the triumphant victory over the Kazan Khanate. The amazing beauty of the temple and the intricacy of the architectural design of its image gave rise to an interesting legend that the architects who participated in the creation of the cathedral, by order of Ivan the Terrible, were blinded so that they would not have the opportunity to build such a masterpiece.

Throughout its existence, the Intercession Cathedral has undergone changes in its appearance more than once. So, in 1588, another (tenth) church was added to it in honor of St. Basil the Blessed, giving the ancient temple a second, “folk” name.

The Intercession Cathedral was not only a military temple, but also a symbol of the national idea, according to which Moscow was proclaimed the Third Rome - a religious and political center, the main custodian of the Orthodox faith. The cathedral also represents an encrypted image of the Heavenly Jerusalem: the multi-figured and multi-colored heads of eight churches surrounding the high tent of the ninth temple form an eight-pointed star in plan - a symbol referring to the Star of Bethlehem, which showed the Magi the path to the Savior.

Today St. Basil's Cathedral is a functioning temple, as well as one of the largest museums in the country and Moscow in particular, telling about the history of Orthodox Rus'.

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Sight

In front of St. Basil's Cathedral there is a legendary monument dedicated to Kuzma Minin and Prince Dmitry Pozharsky - the leaders of the second people's militia, whose troops liberated Moscow from the Polish occupiers in 1612. The idea of ​​perpetuating the glory of national heroes arose at the beginning of the 19th century. Russian sculptor Ivan Martos was chosen as the author of the monument. In 1812, work began on creating the monument. It took 1,100 pounds of copper to cast it.

The massive sculptural composition was planned to be placed in Nizhny Novgorod, a city that was the center of the formation of the militia. After the end of the Patriotic War of 1812, the monument acquired a special social and patriotic meaning: it was intended to become a symbol of the victorious expulsion of the invaders from Moscow. The initial decision was changed, the monument was installed in the center of Red Square. Its opening was a solemn event in which Emperor Alexander himself took part. And already in 1931, the monument, which interfered with parades and demonstrations, was moved to St. Basil's Cathedral.

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The existence of a public tribune on Red Square, called the Execution Place, was first reported in chronicle sources from the mid-16th century. The emergence of the “theater of proclamations” in Moscow is associated with the salvation of the capital from the invasion of the Crimean Tatars in 1521. Until the times of Peter the Great, Lobnoye Mesto remained the main political platform of the country. From this elevated round platform, royal decrees and sentences were announced, the election of a patriarch, the start of a war, or the conclusion of peace were announced.

Often, the relics of Orthodox saints were displayed at Lobnoye Place for public veneration. But executions, contrary to popular belief, occurred here extremely rarely, in exceptional cases. The Old Russian oratorical pedestal, also known as the “Tsar’s Place,” has long had a sacred meaning. Until the revolution, religious processions stopped near it, and from here the bishop made the sign of the cross over the people.

The structure acquired its current appearance in 1786. Then the outdated platform was reconstructed according to the design of Matvey Kazakov. The round platform, made of cut stone, has a stone railing; the entrance was designed in the form of a door with an iron openwork grille; There is a staircase for access.

Over time, Lobnoye Mesto lost its original role. However, people do not stop gathering around him. This extraordinary landmark attracts millions of glances not only as an unusual architectural object, but also as a historical place, marked by solemn and tragic events of centuries-old Russian history.

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Landmark, Landmark, Shopping and Entertainment Center

The front facade of the GUM building, the main domestic department store, faces Red Square. A large-scale three-story structure in pseudo-Russian style stretches along the eastern border of the square for about a quarter of a kilometer. Erected in 1893, the building was almost always (with the exception of the first years of Soviet power) used for its original purpose. Upper shopping arcades, State Department Store, “GUM Trading House” - these three names capture not only the fate of the country’s largest arcade, but also outline the main stages in the development of the Russian state. Before the revolution, more than 300 showrooms of famous trading companies were located here, where almost all groups of industrial and food products were represented. It was here that price tags excluding bargaining first appeared. In the 20th century, the historical and architectural monument survived nationalization, repeated threats of demolition, which ultimately resulted in two reconstructions (in 1953 and the early 1980s), and, finally, privatization.

Modern GUM never tires of improving its internal space and semantic content. Today it is not just the most beautiful store in Moscow, offering customers the widest range of goods, but also a comfortable recreation area with numerous cafes and restaurants, as well as a venue for various cultural events - art exhibitions, concerts, fashion shows, interesting photo shoots. Every winter, a Christmas market and the main city skating rink open in front of the GUM building.

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Museum, Landmark

It is impossible to imagine the ensemble of Red Square without the Historical Museum. A huge red-brick building, reminiscent of an elegant ancient Russian tower, was erected at the northern end of the square (opposite St. Basil's Cathedral) in 1875–1883. The authors of the architectural masterpiece were outstanding Russian architects V. Sherwood and A. Semenov. It is no coincidence that there are symbolic elements in the decor of the building: the tops of the main towers are double-headed eagles, and the small side tents are crowned with figures of lions and unicorns. After all, it was here that, shortly after the completion of construction, the Imperial Museum (“Museum named after His Imperial Highness the Sovereign Heir Tsarevich”) was located, designed to become the custodian of the country’s historical relics.

During its existence, the institution not only changed its name, becoming the State Historical Museum, but also significantly expanded its funds. Today, the museum collection includes over 5 million items reflecting the politics, economics, and culture of the Russian state from ancient times to the beginning of the 20th century. Among the exhibits are personal belongings of kings and emperors. The large-scale exhibition is divided into halls, each of which is dedicated to a specific period in the life of the country.

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Landmark, Religion, Landmark, Historic Monument

The path to Red Square from Manezhnaya Square and Revolution Square lies through the Resurrection Gate - a restored fragment of the Kitai-Gorod wall. A two-arched structure with gate chambers and two hipped towers topped with double-headed eagles is located between the Historical Museum and the City Duma building. The gate acquired a ceremonial superstructure in 1680. The construction of a two-span passage on this site dates back to 1535.

Over its centuries-long history, the fortress structure has changed more than one name: the gates were called Neglinensky (after the bridge across the Neglinnaya River that once stood nearby), Trinity (after the nearby Trinity Tower of the Kremlin). The gate was also called Triumphal: through it the ceremonial entries of Russian rulers into Red Square were carried out. The emergence of the now common name “Voskresensky” is explained by the fact that in 1680 the icon of the Resurrection of Christ was attached to the gate. The historical monument is also known as the Iveron Gate. Back in the 17th century, the Chapel of the Iveron Icon of the Mother of God was installed between the passages - one of the most revered in Moscow. The cult building was demolished soon after the revolution, and in 1931 the Resurrection (Iverskie) Gate, which had interfered with the passage of military equipment during parades, was also dismantled. Both the gate and the chapel were restored in 1994.

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Landmark, Religion, Landmark

Located in the northern part of Red Square, the single-domed cathedral, decorated with four tiers of keel-shaped kokoshniks, is an example of Russian temple architecture of the first half of the 17th century. Above the northwestern corner of the open gallery surrounding the main volume, a tented bell tower rises - a characteristic structure of that time. However, the Kazan Cathedral is not a genuine monument of antiquity, but a recreated temple. An architectural copy of the ancient church, dismantled in 1936, appeared on the historical site in the post-Soviet period, in 1990–1993.

Back in 1625, the wooden predecessor of the stone church was consecrated in honor of the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God. The nationwide fame of this shrine is associated with the events of the Time of Troubles. The list from the icon (copy) accompanied the second militia that liberated Moscow from the Polish-Lithuanian invaders. The Kazan Cathedral, erected in 1635 at the expense of the founder of the Romanov dynasty - Tsar Mikhail Fedorovich, became a military temple, a kind of monument to Russian soldiers who died in the struggle for the independence of their Fatherland. The religious building has been rebuilt more than once over the several centuries of its existence. Today we can both observe its original appearance and take an excellent photo of such an iconic landmark.

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Behind the Kazan Cathedral along Nikolskaya Street there is an architectural complex of the late 17th century. This is one of the old mints in Moscow. It was called Red or Chinese (based on its location near the Kitai-Gorod wall). The oldest building in the complex is two-story brick chambers with a passage arch, built in 1697. The façade of the building, facing the courtyard, is richly decorated in Baroque style. The windows of the second floor are framed with white stone carved frames, the walls are decorated with attached columns, and a colored strip of tiled frieze runs along the top of the wall. The basement of the chambers was used for storing precious metals; a forge, smelting and other production facilities functioned on the lower floor; the upper floor was occupied by the treasury, assay room, and storeroom.

The Red Mint operated for a century. Gold, silver and copper coins of national standard were minted here. A reliable security system made it possible to use the yard as a debt prison. Subsequently, the complex was rebuilt, new buildings appeared to house government institutions. The prison continued to operate, where such dangerous criminals as E. Pugachev and A. Radishchev were kept. At the beginning of the 20th century, one of the buildings of the Old Mint was converted into Nikolsky shopping arcades, and some of the buildings were adapted for retail premises. During Soviet times, administrative institutions were located in ancient buildings. Today the former mint is at the disposal of the State Historical Museum.

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Kremlin, Moscow

Landmark, Landmark

The two-story building, located opposite the Historical Museum, between the Resurrection Gate and the Kazan Cathedral, was built in the 30s of the 18th century as one of the buildings of the Mint. Since Catherine's time, it was occupied by the Moscow provincial government. Its original Baroque decor, created by the architect P.F. Heyden, the building was lost in 1781. Then, during the restoration work carried out by the famous Moscow architect M.F. Kazakov, the building acquired a stucco classicist facade. However, courtyard facades are often no less interesting than front facades. In the courtyard you can see preserved elements of decorative brickwork typical of the early Baroque. From 1806 until the beginning of the next century, the town hall tower rose above the House of Provincial Government, serving as a fire tower.

Not long ago, the historical and architectural monument was restored and today, with its updated facade, it forms the eastern line of the main entrance to Red Square.

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Kremlin, Moscow

Landmark, Landmark

At the end of the 19th century, a representative building intended for the Moscow City Duma was added to the House of Provincial Government. The scale of the structure and its elegant decor, characteristic of ancient Russian architecture, make it consonant with the neighboring building of the Historical Museum, erected a decade earlier. The author of the project was the outstanding Russian architect, master of eclecticism and pseudo-Russian style D.N. Chichagov. Nowadays, the main facade of the ancient building determines the appearance of Revolution Square (formerly Voskresenskaya), one of the closest to Red Square.

Deputies met in a luxurious “mansion” until 1917. After the revolution, instead of the coat of arms of Moscow, a medallion with the image of a worker and a peasant appeared above the main entrance, and the building itself was occupied by departments of the Moscow Council. In 1936, after the reconstruction of the interior, which destroyed the original decoration, the Central Museum of V.I. was opened in the building. Lenin is the largest exhibition center entirely dedicated to the life and work of the leader of the socialist revolution. Today it is a branch of the Historical Museum, which is an excellent exhibition space for holding various exhibitions.

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Kremlin, Moscow

Museum

One of the youngest and most interesting museums in the capital - the Museum of the Patriotic War of 1812 - opened its doors in 2012. The unique collections are located in a new two-story pavilion, which occupies the space of the courtyard between the building of the former Moscow City Duma and the chambers of the Red Mint. The author of the project for a modern building, successfully integrated into the historical buildings, was the famous Moscow architect P.Yu. Andreev. The staff of the Historical Museum did a great job of selecting exhibits and preparing them for display.

On the ground floor of the exhibition complex there is an exhibition reflecting the prehistory of the legendary events - the ten-year period of relations between Russia and France on the eve of the war, as well as a memorial section, including a series of paintings “1812. Napoleon in Russia" V.V. Vereshchagin and a collection of commemorative medals and rarities. In the exhibition halls of the second floor, the image of the Patriotic War of 1812 itself is revealed, and the foreign campaigns that followed it are also highlighted, thanks to which Europe was liberated from the rule of Napoleon. The modern exhibition space is equipped with a multimedia information system, which makes visiting the museum even more exciting.

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Landmark, Historical Landmark

In front of the Senate Tower of the Kremlin there is a unique historical and architectural object of the 20th century - the Mausoleum of V.I. Lenin, which became the center of the western part of Red Square. The existing stone mausoleum building, erected in 1929–1930, is the third in a row. The two tombs that preceded it were created as temporary and were wooden. The first mausoleum was built just 6 days after Lenin’s death - on January 27, 1924: this made it possible to extend the farewell ceremony to the leader of the world proletariat after the official funeral. Six months later, the very modest building was replaced by a more significant stepped structure with columns and stands. Both projects were completed by architect A.V. Shchusev. Subsequently, the idea of ​​preserving Lenin's body acquired important socio-political significance, in addition, embalming was considered successful. The same Shchusev designed a version of the building, intended to become the tomb of the leader for many years.

The monument that has survived to this day is a reinforced concrete structure with brick walls, lined with granite, and trimmed with marble and labradorite. The inscription “Lenin” above the entrance is inlaid with porphyry. Often the plastic design of the mausoleum, which has a stepped composition, is associated with Babylonian ziggurats. However, the building on Red Square represents a unique and even innovative form in the spirit of the achievements of the avant-garde. Although, of course, the ritual and memorial nature of the monument and Lenin’s sarcophagus itself send us back to the distant past, to the ancient tradition of worshiping the relics.

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Sight

On Red Square there is also one of the most famous memorial cemeteries in the country - the Necropolis at the Kremlin Wall. The history of the legendary churchyard began in 1917, when 240 revolutionary fighters who died in the October armed uprising in Moscow were buried in mass graves dug from the Nikolsky to Spassky Gates. Subsequently, not only mass graves appeared near the Kremlin wall (over 300 people were buried in them), but also individual burials. The first person to be buried in a separate grave on Red Square was Y. Sverdlov (in 1919), the last was K. Chernenko (in 1985).

Over the course of several decades, the Honorary Necropolis was replenished with 12 graves of prominent state and military figures of the Soviet Union (I. Stalin, K. Voroshilov, S. Budyonny, L. Brezhnev and others), as well as 115 burials in the form of urns with the ashes of prominent personalities. Monuments are erected above the graves - busts of famous Bolsheviks, behind each of which a blue spruce is planted. On the Kremlin wall, which is a columbarium, you can see memorial plaques on which the names and years of life of “heroes of their time” are engraved in gold letters.

The list of those buried near the Moscow Kremlin is not limited to Soviet politicians and military leaders, but also includes foreign communists, scientists, pilots and cosmonauts. A. Lunacharsky, V. Chkalov, M. Gorky, S. Korolev, Yu. Gagarin, G. Zhukov, M. Keldysh and others were buried in the necropolis.

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Kremlin, Moscow

Landmark, Landmark, Historic Landmark

Of the twenty towers of the Kremlin, four overlook Red Square - Corner Arsenalnaya, Nikolskaya, Senate and Spasskaya. The last one, a tall and beautiful clock tower, is familiar to everyone: the festive chiming of its chimes has long become an attribute of the New Year in Russia.

The architectural structure, built in 1491, towers over the main gates of the Moscow Kremlin, which have long been revered as saints. Through these gates, great princes and tsars entered the ancient fortress, and, starting from the 18th century, Russian emperors; ambassadors of foreign states arrived through them; religious processions passed through them.

Initially, the tower was called Frolovskaya, in honor of the nearby church of Frol and Lavra, now defunct. The second name was given in 1658 in the image of the Savior of Smolensk, placed above the Frolov Gate after the liberation of Smolensk by Russian troops in 1514. The icon, hidden under a layer of plaster for more than 70 years, was restored in 2010.

To observe the time of worship, the first clock was installed on the tower back in the 16th century. The chimes acquired their current appearance in the middle of the 19th century. The mechanism was “taught” different melodies at different times. Today, the main clock of the country can play the melody of the anthem of the Russian Federation and the choir “Glory” from the opera “Ivan Susanin” by M.I. Glinka.

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Landmark, Museum, Religion, Landmark, Historic Landmark

Back in the first half of the 14th century, the first white-stone churches were erected on the top of Borovitsky (Kremlin) hill, which determined the spatial organization of the future Cathedral Square. The ancient buildings have not survived, but new cathedrals have risen on the site of their predecessors. The construction of majestic religious buildings was carried out at the end of the 15th - beginning of the 16th centuries - during the period when the unification of Russian lands around Moscow, which turned into the capital of a single Russian state, was completed.

Cathedral Square, which is the historical and architectural center of the Moscow Kremlin, after five centuries has preserved a unique architectural ensemble, including famous monuments of Russian temple architecture - the Assumption, Archangel, Annunciation Cathedrals, the Church of the Deposition of the Robe, the Ivan the Great Bell Tower, the Cathedral of the Twelve Apostles. In addition to their architectural value, temples have important historical and memorial significance. The Assumption Cathedral is famous for the fact that all the coronations of Russian monarchs took place there, starting with Ivan III and ending with Nicholas II. And the Necropolis of the Archangel Cathedral became the tomb of Russian rulers (great and appanage princes, tsars). Currently, the Kremlin cathedrals are not only active Orthodox churches, but also museums exhibiting masterpieces of ancient Russian art.

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Museum, Landmark, Historic Monument

The history of museum work on the territory of the Moscow Kremlin began in 1806, when, by decree of Emperor Alexander I, the Armory Chamber received museum status. The initial collection was made up of a treasury stored in the Kremlin, the first information about which dates back to the 15th century. After the revolution, in addition to the Armory Chamber, the Kremlin Cathedrals and the Patriarchal Chambers became museum institutions. Today, the walls of historical buildings house permanent exhibitions and temporary thematic exhibitions.

Many collections of the Moscow Kremlin museums are truly unique. This is a collection of state regalia, a collection of amazing diplomatic gifts, a collection of coronation costumes, rare ancient carriages of Russian rulers, a rich collection of weapons and armor. The museum collection includes about three thousand icons, covering the period from the end of the 11th to the beginning of the 20th century. Of particular interest is the archaeological collection, which consists of artifacts found on the territory of the Kremlin.

The ensemble of the Ivan the Great bell tower that has survived to this day, which took shape over more than three centuries, includes three volumes at different times. This is the pillar of the bell tower of Ivan the Great, which in 1600 increased its height to 81 m, the Assumption belfry of the mid-16th - second half of the 17th century, as well as the Filaret extension topped with a tent - the belfry of the first half of the 17th century. Until the beginning of the 18th century, the Bell Tower was the tallest building in Russia. In 1812, during the retreat from Moscow, French troops blew up the temple: the bell tower pillar survived, but the northern extensions were destroyed to the ground. Soon after the end of the war, the monument was restored.

Today, on the three tiers of the Ivan the Great bell tower and on the adjacent extensions there are 22 ancient bells. Since 2008, a museum has been operating in the historical building, introducing visitors to its unique interior space. From the observation deck of the monument there is a panoramic view and amazing views of the Kremlin and Zamoskvorechye.

The Tsar Cannon, which is undoubtedly a weapon in its design, never took part in hostilities. No one managed to hear the ringing of the Tsar Bell, from which a huge piece weighing 11 tons broke off during the fire and which, moreover, lay in a hole for a whole century, appearing to the public only in 1836. However, the question about the functionality of one of the Kremlin giants in the 20th century received an unexpected answer: researchers found that the Tsar Cannon fired at least once. Be that as it may, the very appearance of the monuments - their impressive size and skillful decorative design - amazes the imagination and causes genuine delight.

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Museum, Landmark, Landmark, Historic Monument

The Grand Kremlin Palace is rightly called the Museum of Russian Palace Interior. However, the luxurious palace complex of the Moscow Kremlin has never been a museum institution. The large-scale structure, erected in 1838–1849, originally served as the Moscow residence of Russian monarchs and their families. A group of outstanding Russian architects, led by the famous St. Petersburg architect, master of the “Russian-Byzantine” style Konstantin Ton, worked on the creation of an architectural masterpiece.

During Soviet times, sessions of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR were held in the halls of the former imperial palace. Today it is the ceremonial residence of the President of Russia. Ceremonies for the inauguration of the head of state, negotiations with leaders of other countries, ceremonies for presenting state awards and other official national events are held here. However, it is still possible to see the magnificent decoration of the palace: in free time from events, excursion services are provided here upon prior requests from organizations.

The main attraction of the embankment is the Moscow Kremlin, namely its southern wall. At its very beginning there is a round Vodovzvodnaya tower, then the Annunciation Tower, followed by the Tainitskaya, two Nameless and Petrovskaya towers. The embankment is closed by the corner Beklemishevskaya Tower and the Bolshoi Moskvoretsky Bridge. Behind the wall and towers you can see not only the Grand Kremlin Palace, but the Archangel and Annunciation Cathedrals and, of course, the 81-meter Ivan the Great Bell Tower. From the Kremlin embankment there is an amazing view of Vasilyevsky Spusk and, partially, of Red Square.

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Park, Landmark, Landmark, Historic Monument

From Red Square to the Kremlin embankment, a park stretches along the western wall of the Moscow Kremlin, the history of which goes back almost two centuries. The garden, designed by the famous architect Osip Bove, dates back to 1820–1823. At that time, restoration work was actively carried out in Moscow after the fire of 1812. The park, which grew above the Neglinka River enclosed in a pipe, included three gardens (Upper, Middle and Lower), called Kremlin. The current common name was received in 1856 in honor of Alexander I, the conqueror of Napoleon and liberator of Europe.

The ancient garden, which has been transformed in recent years, still retains its former charm and original layout. There are still clear boundaries between its three parts. The main entrance to the garden is still a magnificent cast-iron gate with double-headed eagles, designed by E. Pascal. Among the famous attractions of the Alexander Garden are the “Italian Grotto” at the foot of the Middle Arsenal Tower, symbolizing the rebirth of Moscow from the ashes, the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, a composition with fountains and sculptures imitating the bed of the Neglinka River. Along the picturesque alleys of the park, which become an excellent backdrop for tourist photos, various types of shrubs and trees grow, including a two-hundred-year-old oak.

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