The Kremlin

The Cathedral of the Assumption
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So now that I'm back in Moscow, I'm actually going to do some visiting of the city while I am here. So now I did the big one: The Kremlin

The Kremlin was the palace and all the important building for the Tsars and the Soviet Union, and it is now the working offices of the president. Now there are many buildings and churches within the walls of the Kremlin. All built at various times. The first Kremlin (then made of wood) was built in 1156, the red walls that you see now were built in the 15th century and still stand today.

The Cathedral of the Annuciation
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Now in my visit to the Kremlin I learned a few lessons....

First, never trust Russian made stuff. One of the Cathedrals within the walls is the Cathedral of the Assumption. Now in the 1470, Ivan the Great (Tsar of the time) decided to built a great cathedral using a Russian architect. So they started to built, though in the middle of the night during constrution the whole thing feel down... So they decided to try again.... Another Russian architect of the time came and started building the cathedral.... let me tell you... yet again the thing fell down during construction. So Ivan was fed up with the Russian architects and decided to invite an Italian one from Venice. So the Italian was asked to build a cathedral in Russian style (this style's most obvious feature being the five domes on the top of the cathedral, one in the centre and four around them). So he did, and the cathedral was built and now stands today (see Pictures attached, sorry I don't have any of the inside, can't take pictures). So, we learn the third time is the charm, and not to trust Russian made stuff!

Ivan the Great Bell Tower
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Now there are six cathedrals in total within the Kremlin walls. The most famous being the Cathedral of the Assumption. The second being the Cathedral of the Annunciation, where all the Tsars are buried (well some, some are also buried in St. Petersburg). The Cathedrals are amazing and fun to look at so I attached a few more pictures.

Now onto our next Russian Lesson: Don't Count your chickens before they hatch... an age old one but appropriate for the next story.... One of the towers in the Kremlin is called Ivan the Great Bell Tower. Built in 1508 for St. Ivan. The "great" was added in 1600 when Tsar Boris Godunov added another story making it the tallest building in Moscow. Now he also proclaimed that this building will represent his dynasty which he said will live on forever. The Tsar only reigned for four years, at which time his dynasty ended. Four years isn't that long.... he spoke too soon! (pictures of Tower also attached).

St. Basil's Cathedral
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Now along the Kremlin is the Red Square. Where Lenin's tomb is and where St. Basil's Cathedral sits. The cathedral was built by Ivan the Terrible in 1550s. Now there are many tales why it's name St. Basils (it is actually named the Cathedral of the Intercession). Here's the one I liked the best: Ivan decided to name it after is father, Basil (previous Tsar) because Ivan would be remember forever and he wanted something to remember his father. So he had the church named after him... though I have to say that I think people recognized St. Basil's Cathedral more that anything that Ivan the Terrible is linked with. So, the lesson here, don't assume you will be remembered, you'll make a ... of yourself!

Close up of St. Basil's
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So that is it for my history lesson.... I'll be honest thats about all I remember from the tour. I don't retain much after a while. Anyway, I've added a few more pictures of the Kremlin just for fun. Hope you enjoy!