Which of the towers of the Moscow Kremlin is the tallest: the creation of a Milanese architect. The tallest tower of the Moscow Kremlin

The Moscow Kremlin has 20 towers and they are all different, no two are alike. Each tower has its own name and its own history. And probably many people don’t know the names of all the towers. Shall we 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, which at the beginning of the 19th century was rebuilt in the Gothic style, stands out from the general ensemble.

BEKLEMISHEVSKAYA(MOSKVORETSKAYA)

BEKLEMISHEVSKAYA (Moskvoretskaya) tower is located in the south-eastern corner of the Kremlin. It was built by the Italian architect Marco Fryazin in 1487-1488. The courtyard of boyar Beklemishev adjoined the tower, for which it received its name. Beklemishev's courtyard, together with the tower, served as a prison for disgraced boyars under Vasily III. The current name – “Moskvoretskaya” – is taken from the nearby Moskvoretsky Bridge. The tower was located at the junction of the Moscow River with a moat, so when the enemy attacked, it was the first to take the blow. The architectural design of the tower is also connected with this: the tall cylinder is placed on a beveled white stone plinth and separated from it by a semicircular ridge. The surface of the cylinder is cut through by narrow, sparsely spaced windows. The tower is completed by a machicolli with a battle platform, which was higher than the adjacent walls. In the basement of the tower there was a hidden rumor to prevent undermining. In 1680, the tower was decorated with an octagon carrying a tall narrow tent with two rows of dormitories, which softened its severity. In 1707, expecting a possible attack 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 Napoleon's invasion, the tower was damaged and then repaired. In 1917, the top of the tower was damaged during shelling, but it was restored by 1920. In 1949, during the restoration, the loopholes were restored to their previous form. This is one of the few Kremlin towers that has not been radically rebuilt. The height of the tower is 62.2 meters.

KONSTANTINO-ELENINSKAYA(TIMOFEEVSKAYA)

The KONSTANTINE-ELENINSKAYA tower owes its name to the Church of Constantine and Helena that stood here in ancient times. 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. Previously, when the Kremlin was made of white stone, there was another tower in this place. It was through her that Dmitry Donskoy and his army went to the Kulikovo field. The new tower was built for the reason that there were no natural barriers on its side from the Kremlin. It was equipped with a drawbridge, a powerful diversion gate and passage gates, which later, in the 18th and early 19th centuries. were dismantled. 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 there were guards on duty here all the time. From above, they vigilantly watched to see if the enemy army was approaching the city. And if danger was approaching, the watchmen had to warn everyone and ring the alarm bell. Because of him, the tower was called Nabatnaya. But now there is no bell in the tower. One day at the end of the 18th century, at the sound of the Alarm Bell, a riot began in Moscow. And when order was restored in the city, the bell was punished for divulging bad news - they were deprived of their tongue. In those days it was a common practice to recall 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 Alarm Tower is 38 meters.

ROYAL

ROYAL Tower. It is not at all like other Kremlin towers. There are 4 columns right on the wall, and on them there is a peaked roof. There are neither powerful walls nor narrow loopholes. But she doesn’t need them. Because they were built two centuries later than the other towers and not for defense at all. Previously, there was a small wooden tower on this site, from which, according to legend, the first Russian Tsar Ivan the Terrible watched over Red Square. Previously, there was a small wooden tower on this site, from which, according to legend, the first Russian Tsar Ivan the Terrible watched over Red Square. Later, the smallest tower of the Kremlin was built here and called it 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 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. No one rode through them on horseback or walked through them with their heads covered. The regiments setting out on a campaign passed through these gates; kings and ambassadors were met here. In the 17th century, the coat of arms of Russia - a double-headed eagle - was installed on the tower; a little later, coats of arms were also installed 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 passage 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 today. Kremlin chimes. Chimes are large clocks that have a musical mechanism. U Kremlin chimes The music is played by the bells. There are eleven of them. One large one, it marks the hours, and ten smaller ones, their melodious chime is heard every 15 minutes. The chimes contain a special device. It sets the hammer in motion, it hits the surface of the bells and the Kremlin chimes sound. The Kremlin chimes mechanism occupies three floors. Previously, chimes were wound manually, but now they do it using electricity. The Spasskaya Tower occupies 10 floors. Its height with the star is 71 meters.

SENATE

The SENATE Tower was built in 1491 by Pietro Antonio Solari, rises behind the Mausoleum of V.I. Lenin 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 north-eastern 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 above the gate of the tower there was an icon of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker. The gate tower, built in 1491 by the architect Pietro Solari, was one of the main defensive redoubts of the eastern part of the Kremlin wall. The name of the tower comes from the Nikolsky Monastery, which was located nearby. Therefore, an icon of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker was placed above the passage gate of the strelnitsa. Like all towers with entrance gates, Nikolskaya had a drawbridge over the moat and protective grilles that were lowered during the battle. The Nikolskaya Tower went down in history in 1612, when militia troops led by Minin and Pozharsky burst into the Kremlin through its gates, liberating 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. Particularly affected upper part towers. In 1816, it was replaced by the architect O.I. Bove with a new needle-shaped dome in the pseudo-Gothic style. In 1917, the tower was damaged 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 ARSENAL (DOG)

The CORNER ARSENAL tower was built in 1492 by Pietro Antonio Solari and is located further away, in the corner of the Kremlin. The first name was received at the beginning of the 18th century, after the construction of the Arsenal building on the territory of the Kremlin, the second comes from the estate of the Sobakin boyars located nearby. There is a well in the dungeon of the corner Arsenal Tower. It is more than 500 years old. It fills from 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 ARSENAL(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. A grotto was erected near the tower in 1812 - one of the attractions of the Alexander Garden. The height of the tower is 38.9 meters.

TRINITY

The TRINITY Tower is named after the church and the Trinity Compound, which were once located nearby on the territory of the Kremlin. Trinity Tower is the tallest tower of the Kremlin. The height of the tower currently, together with the star from the side of the Alexander Garden, is 80 meters. The Trinity Bridge, protected by the Kutafya Tower, leads to the gates of the Trinity Tower. The tower gate serves as the main entrance for visitors to the Kremlin. Built in 1495-1499. Italian architect Aleviz Fryazin Milanz. The tower was called differently: Rizopolozhenskaya, Znamenskaya and Karetnaya. It received its current name in 1658 after the Trinity courtyard of the Kremlin. In the 16th-17th centuries, the two-story base of the tower 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 hipped superstructure with white stone decorations. In 1707, due to the threat of a Swedish invasion, the loopholes of the Trinity Tower were expanded to accommodate heavy cannons. Until 1935, an imperial double-headed eagle was installed at the top of the tower. To the next date October Revolution it was decided to remove the eagle and install red stars on it and the other main towers of the Kremlin. Double headed eagle The Trinity Tower turned out to be the oldest - manufactured in 1870 and prefabricated with bolts, so when dismantling it had to be dismantled at the top of the tower. In 1937, the faded gem star was replaced with a modern ruby star.

KUTAFYA

KUTAFYA tower (connected by a bridge to Troitskaya). Its 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 and wide. The tower was built in 1516 under the direction of the Milanese architect Aleviz Fryazin. Low, surrounded by a moat and the Neglinnaya River, with a single gate, which in moments of danger was tightly closed by the lifting part of the bridge, the tower was a formidable barrier for those besieging the fortress. It had plantar loopholes and machicolations. In the 16th-17th centuries, the water level in the Neglinnaya River was raised high by dams, so that water surrounded the tower on all sides. Its original height above ground level was 18 meters. The only way to enter the tower from the city was via 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”, which meant a plump, clumsy woman. The Kutafya Tower has never had a covering. In 1685, it was crowned with an openwork “crown” with white stone details.

COMMENDANT (KOLYMAZNAYA)

The COMMANDANT'S Tower got its name in the 19th century because 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. The main volume of the tower contains three tiers of rooms covered with barrel vaults; The completion tiers are also covered with vaults. In the 19th century, the tower received the name “Komendantskaya”, when the commandant of Moscow settled nearby in the Kremlin, in the 17th-century Poteshny Palace. The height of the tower from the Alexander Garden side 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, received its name from the nearby Armory Chamber, the second comes from the nearby Stables Yard. Once upon a time there were ancient weapons workshops 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 the wonderful museum located nearby behind the Kremlin wall - the Armory Chamber. 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 is the original one, it comes from Borovitsky Hill, on the slope of which the tower stands; The name of the hill apparently comes from an ancient pine forest that grew on this site. The second name, assigned by 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, it is the main passage for government motorcades. The height of the tower is 54 meters.

VODOVOZVODNAYA(SVIBLOVA)

WATER TOWER - so named because of the machine that was once here. She lifted water from a well located below 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. This is how in the old days the Kremlin had its own water supply system. He was working for a long time, but then the car was dismantled and taken to St. Petersburg. There it was used to construct 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 the Sviblovs, who were responsible for its construction.

BLAGOVESCHENSKAYA

Annunciation Tower. According to legend, this tower used to store miraculous icon“Annunciation”, and also in 1731 the Church of the Annunciation was added 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. They were laid in 1831, and in Soviet era The Church of the Annunciation was also dismantled. The height of the Annunciation Tower with a weather vane is 32.45 meters.

TAINITSKAYA

TAINITSKAYA Tower is the first tower founded 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 Taynitskaya tower is 38.4 meters.

PETROVSKAYA(UGRESHSKAYA)

PETROVSKAYA tower, together with two unnamed ones, was built to strengthen the southern wall, as it was most often attacked. Like the two nameless ones, the Petrovskaya Tower at first had no name. She received her name from the Church of Metropolitan Peter at the Ugreshsky Metochion in the Kremlin. In 1771, during the construction of the Kremlin Palace, the tower, the Church of Metropolitan Peter and the Ugreshsky courtyard were dismantled. In 1783, the tower was rebuilt, but in 1812, the French destroyed it again during the occupation of Moscow. In 1818, the Petrovskaya Tower was restored again. Kremlin gardeners used it for their needs. The height of the tower is 27.15 meters.

The Kremlin is the main attraction of the capital. How many towers does the Moscow Kremlin have? Italian architects Mark, Anton and Aleviz Fryazin, Pietro Antonio Solari took part in their construction.

They witnessed the reign of Ivan the Terrible, the disasters of the Time of Troubles, the beginning of the reforms of Peter the Great, the invasion of Napoleon and others key points Russian history.

At one time, thanks to the innovations used during construction, the Moscow Kremlin was a powerful fortress Eastern Europe, capable of withstanding any opponent. To date, its walls and towers have been classified as objects cultural heritage UNESCO.

The construction of the Moscow Kremlin took place at a turning point for Russia - the creation of a single centralized state. The country was surrounded on all sides by enemies - the Grand Duchy of Lithuania, Livonian Order, Crimean and Kazan khanates. Tatar raids constantly reached the walls of Moscow. There was a threat from the West.

Under these conditions, it was vital to build a new fortress that would protect the capital of the state. For this purpose, many of the best craftsmen were called from Italy, which at that time was an innovator in defense architecture. Under their leadership, from 1485 to 1516, the walls and towers of the renovated Kremlin were erected.

They are built of red brick, which was supposed to emphasize the beauty and power of the capital of a strong state.

The towers are extended beyond the Kremlin walls to enable flanking fire on the enemy, and have loopholes adapted for firing firearms. They are designed in such a way that it would be difficult to hit a shooter inside even now, and at the time of construction - almost impossible. From the outside it is a narrow gap, but from the inside there is a spacious chamber.

In addition, in the upper part of the towers there are loopholes, their purpose is to fire at the enemy who comes close to the walls of the fortress. On top of the warts there is a platform for placing light guns, and above there is an additional structure for firing from arquebuses. This system of constructing towers was dictated by the requirements of fortification science of that time.

Instead of fortresses with rounded walls, built spontaneously, there came fortresses of a regular type. The walls and towers were lower than the medieval ones, but thicker, thanks to which they could withstand artillery fire. The Moscow Kremlin became one of the first structures of this type, after which many similar fortresses were built.

It has 20 towers. They are located along the perimeter of the fortress walls. The basic principle of location is where there is more danger, there more structures.

At the same time, there is a desire for uniformity of their distribution. It was caused by the changing tactics of wars - the newly appeared artillery made its own adjustments to defensive architecture.

There are seven towers in the southern part of the Kremlin, eight in the northwestern part, and six in the northeastern part.

Each of them has its own name. Only two are unnamed, they are located along the southern wall of the fortress. The names of other towers are associated with the role they played in ancient times, with those located nearby geographical objects, names of people.

For example, Beklemishevskaya got its name because of the nearby courtyard of boyar Beklemishev, Spasskaya, because of the images of the Savior Not Made by Hands located on its walls.

The alarm had a large 150-pound bell, cast by Ivan Motorin. In the event of a fire, he gave Muscovites a sign of alarm.

The towers have an average height of 30-40 meters. The highest is Trinity.

According to their shape, the structures are divided into two types - round (there are only three of them - Angular Arsenalnaya, Vodovzvodnaya, Beklemishevskaya) and square.

Round towers can have a circle or polyhedron base. They are located in the corner parts of the Kremlin. Square bases have a rhombus shape with a side of over 10 meters.

According to their purpose, they are divided into blind and travel.

Blind towers

The first served for purely defensive purposes. They were strongholds in the defense of the fortress. If the enemy penetrated the wall, the defenders could hide here and fire at him from here. History knows many examples when individual fortified points held out even after they were surrounded.

Blind towers include:

Nabatnaya (1495);
Senate (1491);
Annunciation (1488);
Armory (Konyushennaya) (1495);
Beklemishevskaya (Moskvoretskaya) (1488);
Komendantskaya (Kolymazhnaya) (1495);
First Nameless (1485);
Second Nameless (1485);
Middle Arsenalnaya (Granenaya) (1495);
Petrovskaya (Ugreshskaya) (1485).

Passage (gate) towers

In addition to defensive ones, they played the role of a gate to the fortress. As a rule, during sieges such structures were always at the forefront of the enemy’s attack, so their defense was given priority great value. They are more powerful than the deaf ones; many of them housed icons and gate churches, which provided additional support to the defenders.

TO travel towers can be attributed:

Nikolskaya (1491);
Borovitskaya (Predtechenskaya) (1490);
Kutafya (1516);
Trinity (1495);
Corner Arsenalnaya (Sobakina) (1492);
Konstantino-Eleninskaya (Timofeevskaya) (1490);
Spasskaya (Frolovskaya) (1491).

One of the gate towers, Kutafya, is not directly adjacent to the main walls of the Kremlin and is even located away from it. Its height is only 13.5 meters. However, the tower is directly related to the fortress. With its presence, it covered the Trinity Tower standing behind it, the gates of which led to the Kremlin territory. The name comes from the word “kut” (to cover, cover). For its time it was an innovative experience. Europe was just beginning to build fortresses, where defense was carried out in several stages. Russia then occupied a leading position.

In addition, the Kremlin has two towers built to ensure that there is always water in the fortress. Tainitskaya and Vodovzvodnaya towers are located in the southern part of the Kremlin, which overlooks the Moscow River.

They contained special wells and underground passages to the shore. The significance of the towers was especially important, since if they were captured the garrison was doomed to death. For the first time in our country, the Vodovzvodnaya Tower had a water pressure device.

The Tsar's Tower stands apart. It is located on the wall of the Kremlin and is an octagonal tent placed on four pillars. It was built relatively recently - in the second half of the 19th century. The name is associated with the legend that from here, being on a wooden tower, Ivan the Terrible looked at Red Square.

Ruby stars. Ruby stars are one of the calling cards of the Moscow Kremlin. He is famous all over the world for them. The stars are placed on the five tallest towers and are made of red ruby glass. They were installed in 1930; before them, imperial double-headed eagles were placed on the towers. Stars give a special solemn look to the Moscow Kremlin and are an integral part of its image.

Another business card The Moscow Kremlin is represented by the chimes on the Spasskaya Tower. Every year they mark the last moments of the passing year. The military band festival, which takes place on Red Square, was named after this tower. The tower has long had the status of the main entrance to the fortress. It was built with the expectation that there were no water barriers near it.

Accordingly, in the event of an attack from this side, it was necessary to rely only on its defensive characteristics. Images of the Savior Not Made by Hands were placed here, protecting the capital.

The clock with chimes was installed in the 19th century. They have survived in their original form to this day.

Other towers

In addition to the Moscow Kremlin, the city was protected by the fortifications of the White City, China City and Earthen City. They also had their own towers, which differed from the Kremlin ones, as they were built in the second half of the 16th century. They resembled those fortifications that were preserved in Smolensk and Astrakhan and did not have such a pompous appearance.

IN late XIX- at the beginning of the 20th century they were dismantled due to dilapidation. Despite this, their names were preserved in Moscow toponyms.

For example, the modern Pokrovsky Gate square received its name from the White City tower of the same name.

Beklemishevskaya (Moskvoretskaya)

The Beklemishevskaya (Moskvoretskaya) tower is located in the south-eastern corner of the Kremlin. It was built by the Italian architect Marco Fryazin in 1487-1488. The courtyard of boyar Beklemishev adjoined the tower, for which it received its name. Beklemishev's courtyard, together with the tower, served as a prison for disgraced boyars under Vasily III. The current name – “Moskvoretskaya” – is taken from the nearby Moskvoretsky Bridge. The tower was located at the junction of the Moscow River with a moat, so when the enemy attacked, it was the first to take the blow. The architectural design of the tower is also connected with this: the tall cylinder is placed on a beveled white stone plinth and separated from it by a semicircular ridge. The surface of the cylinder is cut through by narrow, sparsely spaced windows.

The tower is completed by a machicolli with a battle platform, which was higher than the adjacent walls. In the basement of the tower there was a hidden rumor to prevent undermining. In 1680, the tower was decorated with an octagon, carrying a tall narrow tent with two rows of rumors, which softened its severity. In 1707, expecting a possible attack 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 Napoleon's invasion, the tower was damaged and then repaired. In 1917, the top of the tower was damaged during shelling, but it was restored by 1920. In 1949, during the restoration, the loopholes were restored to their previous form. This is one of the few Kremlin towers that has not been radically rebuilt. The height of the tower is 62.2 meters.

Konstantino-Eleninskaya (Timofeevskaya)

The Constantine-Heleninskaya Tower owes its name to the Church of Constantine and Helena that stood here in ancient times. 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. Previously, when the Kremlin was made of white stone, there was another tower in this place. It was through her that Dmitry Donskoy and his army went to the Kulikovo field. The new tower was built for the reason that there were no natural barriers on its side from the Kremlin. It was equipped with a drawbridge, a powerful diversion gate and passage gates, which later, in the 18th and early 19th centuries. were dismantled. 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 there were guards on duty here all the time. From above, they vigilantly watched to see if the enemy army was approaching the city. And if danger was approaching, the watchmen had to warn everyone and ring the alarm bell. Because of him, the tower was called Nabatnaya. But now there is no bell in the tower. One day at the end of the 18th century, at the sound of the Alarm Bell, a riot began in Moscow. And when order was restored in the city, the bell was punished for divulging bad news - they were deprived of their tongue. In those days it was a common practice to recall 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 Alarm Tower is 38 meters.

Tsarskaya

Tsar's Tower. It is not at all like other Kremlin towers. There are 4 columns right on the wall, and on them there is a peaked roof. There are neither powerful walls nor narrow loopholes. But she doesn’t need them. Because they were built two centuries later than the other towers and not for defense at all. Previously, there was a small wooden tower on this site, from which, according to legend, the first Russian Tsar Ivan the Terrible watched over Red Square. Previously, there was a small wooden tower on this site, from which, according to legend, the first Russian Tsar Ivan the Terrible watched over Red Square. Later, the smallest tower of the Kremlin was built here and called it 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 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. No one rode through them on horseback or walked through them with their heads covered. The regiments setting out on a campaign passed through these gates; kings and ambassadors were met here. In the 17th century, the coat of arms of Russia - a double-headed eagle - was installed on the tower; a little later, coats of arms were also installed 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 passage 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 today. Kremlin chimes. Chimes are large clocks that have a musical mechanism. The bells play music at the Kremlin chimes. There are eleven of them. One large one, it marks the hours, and ten smaller ones, their melodious chime is heard every 15 minutes. The chimes contain a special device. It sets the hammer in motion, it hits the surface of the bells and the Kremlin chimes sound. The Kremlin chimes mechanism occupies three floors. Previously, chimes were wound manually, but now they do it using electricity. The Spasskaya Tower occupies 10 floors. Its height with the star is 71 meters.

Senate

The Senate Tower was built in 1491 by Pietro Antonio Solari, rises behind the Mausoleum of V.I. Lenin 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 north-eastern 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 above the gate of the tower there was an icon of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker. The gate tower, built in 1491 by the architect Pietro Solari, was one of the main defensive redoubts of the eastern part of the Kremlin wall. The name of the tower comes from the Nikolsky Monastery, which was located nearby. Therefore, an icon of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker was placed above the passage gate of the strelnitsa. Like all towers with entrance gates, Nikolskaya had a drawbridge over the moat and protective grilles that were lowered during the battle.

The Nikolskaya Tower went down in history in 1612, when militia troops led by Minin and Pozharsky burst into the Kremlin through its gates, liberating 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, it was replaced by the architect O.I. Bove with a new needle-shaped dome in the pseudo-Gothic style. In 1917, the tower was damaged 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. The first name was received at the beginning of the 18th century, after the construction of the Arsenal building on the territory of the Kremlin, the second comes from the estate of the Sobakin boyars located nearby. There is a well in the dungeon of the corner Arsenal Tower. It is more than 500 years old. It is filled from an ancient source and therefore it always has clean and fresh water. Previously, there was an underground passage from the Arsenal Tower to the Neglinnaya River. The height of the tower is 60.2 meters.

Average 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. A grotto was erected near the tower in 1812 - one of the attractions of the Alexander Garden. The height of the tower is 38.9 meters.

Trinity

The Trinity Tower is named after the church and the Trinity Compound, which were once located nearby on the territory of the Kremlin. Trinity Tower is the tallest tower of the Kremlin. The height of the tower currently, together with the star from the side of the Alexander Garden, is 80 meters. The Trinity Bridge, protected by the Kutafya Tower, leads to the gates of the Trinity Tower. The tower gate serves as the main entrance for visitors to the Kremlin. Built in 1495-1499. Italian architect Aleviz Fryazin Milanz. The tower was called differently: Rizopolozhenskaya, Znamenskaya and Karetnaya.

It received its current name in 1658 after the Trinity courtyard of the Kremlin. In the 16th-17th centuries, the two-story base of the tower 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 hipped superstructure with white stone decorations. In 1707, due to the threat of a Swedish invasion, the loopholes of the Trinity Tower were expanded to accommodate heavy cannons. Until 1935, an imperial double-headed eagle was installed at the top of the tower. By the next date of the October Revolution, it was decided to remove the eagle and install red stars on it and the other main towers of the Kremlin. The double-headed eagle of the Trinity Tower turned out to be the oldest - made in 1870 and prefabricated with bolts, so when dismantling it had to be dismantled at the top of the tower. In 1937, the faded gem star was replaced with a modern ruby star.

Kutafya

Kutafya Tower (connected by a bridge to Trinity). Its 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 and wide. The tower was built in 1516 under the direction of the Milanese architect Aleviz Fryazin. Low, surrounded by a moat and the Neglinnaya River, with a single gate, which in moments of danger was tightly closed by the lifting part of the bridge, the tower was a formidable barrier for those besieging the fortress. It had plantar loopholes and machicolations. In the 16th-17th centuries, the water level in the Neglinnaya River was raised high by dams, so that water surrounded the tower on all sides. Its original height above ground level was 18 meters. The only way to enter the tower from the city was via 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”, which meant a plump, clumsy woman. The Kutafya Tower has never had a covering. 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 because 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. The main volume of the tower contains three tiers of rooms covered with barrel vaults; The completion tiers are also covered with vaults. In the 19th century, the tower received the name “Komendantskaya”, when the commandant of Moscow settled nearby in the Kremlin, in the 17th-century Poteshny Palace. The height of the tower from the side of the Alexander Garden is 41.25 meters.

Armory (Konyushennaya)

The armory tower, which once stood on the banks of the Neglinnaya River, now enclosed in an underground pipe, received its name from the nearby Armory Chamber, the second comes from the nearby Stables Yard. Once upon a time there were ancient weapons workshops 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 the wonderful museum located nearby behind the Kremlin wall - the Armory Chamber. 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)

Vodovzvodnaya (Sviblova)

Vodovzvodnaya Tower - so named because of the machine that was once here. She lifted water from a well located below 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. This is how 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 to construct 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 the 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 added 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. They were founded in 1831, 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

Tainitskaya Tower is the first tower founded 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 Taynitskaya tower is 38.4 meters.

First Nameless Tower

Built in the 1480s. The tower ends with a simple tetrahedral pyramidal tent. The interior 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 that did not get a name. Height 34.15 meters.

Second Nameless

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

Petrovskaya (Ugreshskaya)

The Petrovskaya Tower, together with two unnamed ones, was built to strengthen the southern wall, as it was most often attacked. Like the two nameless ones, the Petrovskaya Tower at first had no name. She received her name from the Church of Metropolitan Peter at the Ugreshsky Metochion in the Kremlin. In 1771, during the construction of the Kremlin Palace, the tower, the Church of Metropolitan Peter and the Ugreshsky courtyard were dismantled. In 1783, the tower was rebuilt, but in 1812, the French destroyed it again during the occupation of Moscow. In 1818, the Petrovskaya Tower was restored again. Kremlin gardeners used it for their needs. The height of the tower is 27.15 meters.

Publications in the Architecture section

Stone guards of the Kremlin

From wood to stone. Dmitry Donskoy also replaced the wooden walls of the Kremlin with white limestone. By decree of Ivan III, the fortress was built from more durable red brick. The work was supervised by masters from Italy. That is why Italian motifs can be traced in the architecture of the capital’s fortress. Twenty towers of the Kremlin wall. Like sisters: originally a single architectural style, and each has its own story. We invite you to find out the most interesting ones together with Natalya Letnikova.

1. Taynitskaya Tower. It was built first on the site of the Chushkov Gate, which existed during the time of Dmitry Donskoy. The work was supervised by an Italian - Antonio Gilardi, or Anton Fryazin. The tower got its name because of the secret underground passage leading to the Moscow River - in case of a siege. Until the 18th century, the king marched from the Tainitsky Gate to the Epiphany Jordan. And right up to the revolution, at exactly noon, a cannon fired from the archer of the Tainitskaya Tower - just like in the Peter and Paul Fortress.

2. Alarm tower served to notify Muscovites about more dramatic events than the routine approach of noon. In 1771, the Spassky bell, which was ordered to notify about a fire, called for a plague riot. By order of Catherine II, the bell was deprived of its tongue. For thirty years he hung on the tower, voiceless, and was exiled to the Arsenal, and then to the Armory, where he remains to this day. The Alarm Tower itself matches the Leaning Tower of Pisa: it tilted one meter. In the 70s of the last century, the foundation cracked, but metal hoops at the base of the tower stopped the tilt.

3. Nikolskaya Tower remembers Minin and Pozharsky. In 1612 through the Nikolsky Gate militia solemnly entered the Kremlin after the surrender of the Poles. Two centuries later, the tower along with the Arsenal was blown up by the French, but the gate icon of St. Nicholas of Mozhaisky remained untouched. Half a century later, the story about the event for the memorial plaque was written personally by Alexander I. In October 1917, the tower was damaged by a shell, the icon was riddled with bullets, but the face itself was not damaged. So a new image appeared in icon painting - St. Nicholas the Wounded, depicting the shelled icon of the St. Nicholas Tower.

4. Spasskaya Tower. Named in honor of the gate icon of the Savior Not Made by Hands. Legend has it that in the 16th century, during the invasion of Khan Mengli-Girey, a blind nun of the Ascension Monastery had a vision of Moscow saints emerging from the gates. On the same day, the Tatars retreated from Moscow... Over the centuries, the tower was supplemented with 8 upper tiers. Over the years, the chimes at 12 and 6 o'clock have played various patriotic compositions: the guards march of the Preobrazhensky Regiment, “How Glorious is Our Lord in Zion,” the Internationale, “You have fallen as a victim,” and, finally, the Russian anthem.

5. Tsar's Tower. Below the others, but this does not affect the status. The stone tower was built at the end of the 17th century. At this place, according to legend, there was a wooden predecessor, with which Ivan the Terrible surveyed the Kremlin surroundings. The tower was built for completely peaceful purposes, which is why it is similar to the boyar mansions and is rich in architectural delights and white stone decorations. Instead of loopholes and powerful walls there are round columns. The Kremlin's most popular popular tower is crowned with a gilded weather vane, which gives it a resemblance to a fairy-tale tower.

6. Kutafya Tower. Bridgehead. It is assumed that she received her name for her not entirely elegant appearance (“kutafya” - that is, “ridiculously dressed”). Built at the beginning of the 16th century; This is the only surviving archery tower. Initially, it had a purely practical and impregnable appearance: it was surrounded by Neglinnaya and a high moat. With its gates, which in moments of danger were tightly closed with a drawbridge, the tower reminded that the Kremlin was a real fortress. Its only decoration, an openwork crown, appeared towards the end of the 17th century.

7. Trinity Tower. The highest is 80 meters. The main entrance for visitors to the Kremlin and the residence of the Russian Presidential Orchestra. It was called Epiphany, Rizopolozhenskaya, Znamenskaya, Karetnaya. Troitskaya became named after the Trinity courtyard of the Kremlin. Appearance the towers changed from century to century. At the beginning of the 18th century - for strategic reasons: due to the threat of invasion by the Swedes, the loopholes were expanded for heavy guns. The change in power led to a change in the symbol at the top. For the next anniversary of the revolution, the double-headed eagle from 1870 was dismantled. The symbol of autocracy, held together with bolts, had to be dismantled right at the top and lowered down in parts.

8. Vodovzvodnaya tower. Once upon a time it was named after the boyar Sviblov, who lived across the wall. The facility was strategic and supplied water to the entire Kremlin. A special water cocking machine that was installed English engineer Christopher Galovey, lifted water from the well from the bottom up - into a giant tank. Prototype of a pressure water pipeline with a well and tanks. Lead pipes distributed the flows “to the sovereign’s Nourishing and Feeding Palaces,” and then to the gardens. Subsequently, the car was dismantled and taken to St. Petersburg for arrangement

10. Corner Arsenal Tower. It got its name because of the Arsenal located nearby. Considered the most powerful. The walls are four meters thick, the base is widened at the bottom for additional stability, and the foundation goes deep under the wall. In the dungeon there is a well that is about 500 years old. It was created as backup source water in case of siege by the enemy. In the first half of the 18th century, sexton Konon Osipov walked up and down the underground passage under the tower - in search of the mysterious library of Ivan the Terrible. “Liberea” haunts us to this day, and the underground passage is filled up.

In Moscow on Red Square we see the Kremlin towers and immediately notice how different they are. But at the same time, each of them is unique and beautiful in its own way. And, in addition, each tower has its own given name, and not accidental, but arose in the process of historical development and changes in the architectural appearance of the city.

A total of 20 towers are concentrated throughout the Kremlin in Moscow. Each of them has its own name and own story buildings. According to the architectural features, the buildings are divided into round and square towers.

Moreover, only three towers have a circular cross-section - these are Vodovzvodnaya, Beklemishevskaya and Arsenalnaya Uglovaya. All other buildings are square in plan. Most of the towers are made in the same architectural style, which allows you to create a single building ensemble. The integrity of the ensemble was given by the decoration, which was made in the 17th century.

However, the Nikolskaya Tower, which was rebuilt in a pseudo-Gothic style at the beginning of the 19th century, stands out noticeably against this background. Let's consider the distinctive features of each tower, as well as the historical conditions for the construction of the structures.

Beklemishevskaya tower.

The second name of the Beklemishevskaya tower is Moskvoretskaya. It is located in the south-eastern corner of the Moscow Kremlin and is just over 46 meters high. The structure was built during the reign of Tsar Ivan III Vasilievich in 1487 - 1488.

The tower project was developed and implemented by the Italian Marco Ruffo (Mark Fryazin). The Beklemishevskaya tower has a round shape in plan. At first, the tower received its name after the surname of the boyar Beklemishev, whose courtyard was located next to the tower. Later the building was renamed after the name of the nearby bridge.

Borovitskaya Tower.

This tower was built in 1490 by the architect Pietro Antonio Solari during the reign of Tsar Ivan III Vasilyevich. The Borovitskaya Tower is located at the mouth of the Neglinnaya River. The tower got its name from the name of the hill on the slope of which it was built. In ancient times, there was a dense forest on the hill - a small pine grove. And probably. this was the reason for the name.

However, in 1658, by royal decree, the tower was given the name Predtechenskaya in honor of the nearby Church of the Nativity of John the Baptist. Height Borovitskaya Tower is 54 meters, and its spire at the top is decorated with a ruby star. Today, the gates of the Borovitskaya Tower are used for the ceremonial passage of government motorcades.

Weapon tower.

The next one, the Armory Tower, is located next to the Armory Chamber, which is where its name originated in the mid-19th century. Once upon a time there was a passage gate at the bottom of the tower, and then it was called Konyushennaya, because the royal stable yard was located nearby, and from there horses could drive through the tower gate.

The armory tower was built in two years, from 1493 to 1495. The height of the structure reaches almost 39 meters. The building fits the overall style of the ensemble and harmoniously fits into the appearance of the Kremlin wall.

Commandant's Tower.

The Commandant's Tower began to be called that only in the 19th century. At that time, in the Kremlin Amusement Palace, next to the tower, the commandant of Moscow was located, and in ancient times it was called Kolymazhnaya, because nearby there was a Kolymazhnaya yard where the royal carriages, carts and rattles were parked.

The commandant tower was built in 1495 during the reign of Ivan III Vasilyevich. The height of the building is 41 meters.

Trinity Tower.

From a distance you can see the gigantic wall of the highest tower of the Kremlin - Trinity. Perhaps, like no other Kremlin tower, it amazes with its harsh power and inaccessibility. The Trinity Tower was built in 1495 by the Italian architect Aloisio da Milano (Aleviz Fryazin).

The Trinity Tower is the tallest Kremlin tower, because the height of the structure is 80 meters. Also, this tower also has an entrance and passage, and in terms of its importance it ranks second after Spasskaya.

The name of the tower changed many times, but it began to be called Trinity in 1658, named after the Trinity courtyard, which was located near it on the territory of the Kremlin. But even earlier it had other names - Epiphany and Znamenskaya.

Currently, the gates of the Trinity Tower are the main entrance to the Kremlin territory, and the elegant spire of the structure is decorated with a luxurious ruby star.

Kutafya Tower.

In front of the Trinity Tower, right behind the bridge, the Kutafya Tower proudly protrudes forward. It is significantly smaller in height and size, but at the same time very solid, squat, stocky and strong. Its name is associated with the word “kut” - corner, but even more often historians associate the name of the structure with the word “kutafya”. This is how in some places in Russia they called a woman covered from head to toe or a clumsy woman.

The Kutafya Tower is so different from all the others in the features of its architecture that it cannot be confused with any of the other towers of the Kremlin ensemble. It was built in 1516 by the architect Aleviz Fryazin during the reign of Vasily III.

The height of the tower is small - only 13.5 meters, and today it is the only surviving Kremlin tower that is free-standing and not built into the wall. In the old days, similar bridgehead towers served to guard bridges through which one could enter the fortress. The Kutafya Tower is located opposite the Trinity Tower, and between them there is an inclined bridge.

Corner Arsenal Tower.

In 1492, in the northern corner of the Kremlin wall, the architect Pietro Antonio Solari built a round tower, which was called the Arsenalnaya. This structure is the most powerful tower of the Kremlin, although it reaches only 60 meters in height.

The Arsenal Tower received its name at the beginning of the 18th century after the Arsenal building, the “Arms House,” was built on the territory of the Kremlin. The second name - Dog Tower - was obtained as a result of the fact that not far from the structure there was an estate of the Sobakin boyars. Distinctive feature The cornerstone of the Arsenal Tower is that there is a well inside it.

Middle Arsenal Tower.

The second name of the Middle Arsenal Tower is Faceted. The building received it thanks to some characteristic features buildings. The tower was erected in 1493 - 1495 during the reign of Ivan III Vasilyevich.

The height of the structure reaches almost 39 meters. The middle Arsenal Tower is located on the northwestern wall of the Moscow Kremlin, which extends along the Alexander Garden. It is noteworthy that the Faceted Tower was built on the site where the corner tower, built during the time of Dmitry Donskoy, was previously located.

Nikolskaya Tower.

One of the most beautiful towers of the Moscow Kremlin is Nikolskaya with the Nikolsky Gate. Once upon a time, an icon of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker was placed above them, and even earlier, not far from here, there was a monastery of St. Nicholas the Old.

The Nikolskaya Tower is located on the eastern wall of the Kremlin in Moscow. It was built in 1491 under Tsar Ivan III Vasilyevich. Architect Pietro Antonio Solari designed a structure with a height of just over 70 meters.

At the same time, the Nikolskaya Tower is also a travel pass - through its gate you can enter the territory of the Moscow Kremlin. The architectural appearance of the Nikolskaya Tower is somewhat different from all other buildings, because in the 19th century it was rebuilt in a pseudo-Gothic style. Today, the majestic spire of the Nikolskaya Tower is also crowned with a ruby star.

Senate Tower.

Immediately behind the mausoleum of V.I. Lenin rises the Senate Tower with the building of the former Senate located behind it. This tower was built on the eastern part of the Kremlin wall in 1491 during the reign of Ivan III Vasilyevich.

The height of the tower reaches 34 meters, and it was built under the direction of the architect Pietro Antonio Solari. Yours modern name the tower received only three hundred years after its construction. This happened after the Senate Palace was built on the territory of the Kremlin in 1787.

Spasskaya Tower.

A little further there is a tower that everyone knows. This is the Spasskaya Tower with the Spassky Gate, the spire of which is crowned with a ruby star. It has been called Spasskaya since 1658 thanks to the icons of the Savior, which used to be on both sides above the gate. Currently, the gate is decorated with only one restored image of the Savior.

The second name of the Spasskaya Tower is Frolovskaya. The building received it in honor of the nearby Church of Frol and Laurus. The most important clock in the country is installed on the Spasskaya (Frolovskaya) Tower - the Kremlin chimes, to the melodious chime of which Russians say goodbye to the outgoing year and welcome the new year.

The Spasskaya Tower was built on the eastern wall of the Kremlin and is the main entrance to the Kremlin. The height of the tower reaches 71 meters, and therefore it is one of the tallest buildings in the Kremlin ensemble. And at the same time one of the most beautiful towers in the entire territory of the Moscow Kremlin.

The development of the project and the construction process of the structure was led by the architect from Italy Pietro Antonio Solari. The Spasskaya Tower was built in 1491 during the reign of Tsar Ivan III Vasilyevich. Today the building is one of the most recognizable symbols of Russia.

Tsar's Tower.

The smallest of the Kremlin towers, Tsarskaya, is located south of Spasskaya. This small turret was installed on the eastern Kremlin wall in the 80s of the 17th century, during the reign of Peter I and then Ivan V.

The Tsar's Tower reaches almost 17 meters in height, which is significantly smaller than all tower structures. It was built in the 1680s on the site of a wooden tower with the alarm bell “Vspolokh” and was previously called “Vspolokh”.

The Tsar's Tower was built almost 200 years later than all the other towers on the site of a small wooden tower, in which Tsar Ivan the Terrible watched the city and admired the view. That is why the erected structure of elegant design got its name.

Alarm tower.

The Alarm Tower received its name due to the Spassky Alarm bells located in it. This tower at one time had an important practical purpose. It served as an observation tower from which the fire safety of the city was monitored.

The Alarm Tower is square in cross-section, and its height is 38 meters. The building was built in 1495 during the reign of Ivan III Vasilyevich.

First of all, the Alarm Tower owes its name to the largest bell, which used to hang in its upper part. This bell is famous for the fact that, by order of Catherine II, it was deprived of its tongue as punishment for the fact that the Muscovites who rebelled in 1771 called on the people to a “plague riot” by ringing this bell. Now this bell is kept in the Armory Chamber.

Konstantino - Eleninskaya Tower.

The Eleninskaya Tower also has a second name - Timofeevskaya. It is located on the eastern wall of the Moscow Kremlin and reaches a height of just over 36 meters. Konstantino - Eleninskaya Tower was built in 1490, during the reign of Tsar Ivan III Vasilyevich.

The square-section tower was erected by the Italian architect Pietro Antonio Solari. At first, the tower was named after the nearby Church of Saints Constantine and Helena. But later it was renamed in honor of the Timofeevsky Gate, which was part of the white stone Kremlin in the 14th century.

Petrovskaya Tower.

On the southern part of the Kremlin wall is the Petrovskaya, or Ugreshskaya Tower. Both of its names can be explained very simply: here, in the Kremlin, in the former courtyard of the Ugreshsky Monastery, there was the Church of Metropolitan Peter.

The Petrovskaya Tower was also built during the reign of Ivan the Terrible, and its construction dates back to the 80s of the 15th century. The height of the tower is 27 meters. Its roof is crowned with a tent-shaped octagonal dome.

Nameless towers.

But for many centuries they could not come up with names for the next two towers, but this does not mean that they were left without a name. That's why these towers are called: First Nameless and Second Nameless Towers. Both of them were built in the 80s of the 15th century during the reign of Ivan the Terrible.

The height of the First Nameless Tower is 34 meters, and the Second is just over 30 meters. Both buildings have square section in plan, and the buildings end with a tent-shaped dome. Only the First Tower has a dome with four sides, while the Second Tower has eight.

Tainitskaya Tower.

The height of the Taynitskaya tower is just over 38 meters. It is noteworthy that this tower, built in 1485 by the architect Anton Fryazin, is the very first in the Kremlin ensemble. Previously, this tower was a passage point, but today its gates have been blocked.

The Taynitskaya Tower received its name due to the secret passage passing through it and leading to the bank of the Moscow River. There was also a well with water in the tower, which would have helped, if necessary, to withstand a long siege of the enemy. There is also the Taynitsky Garden in the Kremlin.

Annunciation Tower.

Immediately behind Tainitskaya there is the Annunciation Tower. During the time of Ivan the Terrible, it was used as a prison building where rebels and criminals were kept. The Annunciation Tower was built in 1487 - 1488, and its height is more than 32 meters.

The tower got its name thanks to the icon of the Annunciation, which, according to legend, unexpectedly appeared on one of the walls of the tower. The Annunciation Tower is located between the Vodovzvodnaya and Tainitskaya towers in the southern part of the Kremlin wall, which runs along coastline Moscow - rivers.

Vodovzvodnaya tower.

This tower was erected as one of the very first in the ensemble of the Moscow Kremlin. The Vodovzvodnaya Tower was built in 1488 by the Italian architect Antonio Gilardi (Antonio Fryazin).

The structural features of the tower are that there was a well located in it, and also a secret passage leading to the bank of the Moscow River. The height of the Vodovzvodnaya Tower is 61 meters.

The name "Vodovzvodnaya" tower received in 1633, when a lifting mechanism was built in the building, with the help of which water was supplied to the Kremlin gardens. The second name - Sviblova Tower - comes from the surname of the boyar Sviblova, who was responsible for its construction.

Twenty majestic towers surround the Moscow Kremlin, and each of them has its own amazing story. Built in different times, the Kremlin towers, nevertheless, form a single harmonious ensemble, which at all times has been a source of pride for Muscovites and aroused the admiration of guests of the capital.