Visit Kremlin – Annunciation Cathedral, Archangel Cathedral and more

Well everyone who’s heard of Russia has definitely heard about the Kremlin – the seat of raw power. It is a fortified complex at the heart of Moscow, overlooking the Moskva River to the south, Saint Basil’s Cathedral and Red Square to the east, and the Alexander Garden to the west. It is the best known of the kremlins (Russian citadels) and includes five palaces, four cathedrals, and the enclosing Kremlin Wall with Kremlin towers. The complex serves as the official residence of the President of the Russian Federation. Visit Kremlin and explore Annunciation Cathedral, Archangel Cathedral, Assumption Cathedral, Tsar Bell, Diamond Fund, Armoury Chamber and more.

More info on How to reach Kremlin, tickets and Navigating inside Kremlin – Click here

Cathedral of the Annunciation is a Russian Orthodox church dedicated to the Annunciation of the Theotokos. An unique display of Russian icons including masterpieces by Andrei Rublev – the most famous icon painter of all time. Behind the altar (where once the sacristy was located) a large silver reliquary containing the remains are of about 50 saints from different places in the Middle East was discovered in 1894.

The Cathedral of the Archangel is a Russian Orthodox church dedicated to the Archangel Michael. It contains the tombs of many of Russia’s greatest rulers The Cathedral of the Archangel contains the tombs (46 altogether) of all the rulers of Muscovy and Russia from the 14th Century until Peter the Great moved the capital to St Petersburg. The interior of the cathedral is dark and atmospheric, decorated with an abundance of rich, earthy colours. One of greatest treasures of the cathedral is the burial vault of Ivan the Terrible.

Visit the famous Red Square and Saint Basils Cathedral – Click here.

The Cathedral of the Assumption (also known as Cathedral of the Dormition) was unveiled in 1479, and is the site on which all Russia’s tsars were crowned. The oldest and most important church in the Kremlin, this Cathedral acted as the headquarters of the Russian Orthodox Church from 1326.

Lying at the foot of Ivan Bell tower is the infamous Tsar Bell. Over 6 m in height and in diameter, it is the largest bell in the world, weighing over 200,000 kg. After one piece splintering off during casting, the bell was never used but, given its size, instead the interior was used as a chapel; the gap left by the broken shard being used as a door. Upon hearing news of the fracture, its original craftsman apparently died of grief. Nevertheless, the bell is still an impressive sight

Best way to get around Moscow is to use the beautiful Moscow Metro.

The Armoury Chamber -The name ‘Kremlin’ officially means fortress and this historic building once housed the deadliest weapons of Russia’s Empire. Now it is the site of one of Moscow‘s oldest museums and contains a collection of tsarist weaponry, jewellery, and the royal family’s most absurdly flamboyant household items. Treasures in this collection range from ten priceless Fabergé eggs, artistic masterpieces from the 5th to the 20th centuries, tsarist coronation robes, Ivan the Terrible’s ivory throne, and exquisitely bejewelled royal carriages. The collection of items here is beyond belief and quite overwhelming.

Diamond Fund (Almazny Fond) is a separate exposition within the Armory .The Diamond Fund is the former tsarist collection of rare jewels and invaluable gemstones, originally formed from Peter the Great’s private hoard. The collection includes a 33 kg nugget of gold, and one of the world’s largest diamond: 342.5 carats and 68.5 grams, Imperial crowns of Russia, the world’s largest sapphire, multiple Fabergé eggs, the famous Orlov diamond and other world-renowned items of jewellery. It ranked amongst the greatest gem collections in the world.

Photos are not allowed in the Armoury chamber and the Diamond Fund.

Kremlin Wall is the defensive iconic red wall which surrounds the Moscow Kremlin. The towering red brick walls and its towers catch your eye as you walk from Kremlin to Red square.

Best way to get to Moscow from Saint Petersburg is to use the super-fast Sapsan trains.

Few other flavours of the Kremlin –

Right next to the Kremlin is the Iconic Red square and Saint Basil Cathedral – Click here.

Read more about our Russian Journey – Click here

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