Kremlin Wall

Kremlin Wall refers to the defense wall that surrounds the Moscow Kremlin, recognizable by the characteristic notches and its Kremlin towers.

Related Topics:
Moscow Kremlin - Kremlin towers

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In their present state, the outer perimeter of the walls is an impressive 2235 metres, repeating the contours of the hill on which the Moscow Kremlin lies. This is reflected in the uneven profile of the height, which at some points is no greater than 5 metres and at others quadruples to 19 metres, as does their thicknees ranging from 3.5 to 6.5 metres.

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Following the entire length, the top of the walls have an exteriorly-invisible battle platform which also ranges from 2 to 4.5 metres in width. Crowning it, a total of 1045 double-horned notches "teeth" with a height ranging from 2 to 2.5 metres and thickness 65-75 centimetres.

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Some of the internall corridors inside the walls have preserved small "kamoras"- separate rooms with no exterior illumination that housed dangerous criminals.

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Up until the 17th century the Kremlin walls were laden with cannons, also up to this time a second , smaller wall repeated the outside perimeter of the larger walls.

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The walls and the towers were constructed during the reign of the Great Knyaz Ivan the third (the Great) between 1485 and 1495. A whole brigade of Italian architects took part in their erection including Antonio Fryazin (Antonio Gilardi), Marko Fryazin (Marco Ruffo), Pyotr Fryazin (Pietro Antonio Solari and Alexei Fryazin the Old (Aloisio da Milano). It should be noted that in Russia the term "Fryazin" was reffered to all people of Italian descent at that time.

Related Topics:
Pietro Antonio Solari - Aloisio da Milano

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The new walls were erected without the dismantiling older constructions of 1366, but the increase in size was taken on the many wooden houses which surrounded the Kremlin at the time. Afterwards the walls were renovated several times during the reigns of Tsar Alexei, Empress Elisabeth and Emperor Alexander the first, each time preserving their original character and style. However instead of stone they became bricked, which potentialy dampened their historical mightyness.

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The walls have 20 towers. The oldest one-Tainitskaya (1485), newes one-Tsarskaya (1680). Three of the towers, located in the corners of the castle wall have a unique circular profile. From the ground level it is only possible to enter six of the towers, the rest only from the wall itself. Four are gate towers, them being Spasskiye, Borovitskiye, Troitskiye and Nikolskie. Up 1930 it was also possible to enter the Kremlin via the Tainitskiye gate, afterwards they were covered up, though their profile is still clearly visible. Some of the towers are named after churches which used to be located near them.

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Up to the 1960-s it was possible to enter the Kremlin through the main gates-Spasskiye. Presently they are not open to visitors, who use the Tainitskiye gates to enter the State Kremlin palace and to visit its magnificent cathedrals. Borovitskiye gates are used by those visiting the Armoury chamber and the Treasury fond.

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Before 1917 it was also possible to book an excursion, lasting over two hours, to walk along the perimeter of the Kremlin walls, beggining at the Borovitskaya tower.

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The southern part of the wall faces the Moskva River. The eastern part faces Red Square. The western part, formerly facing the Neglinnaya River, is now part of the Alexander Garden.

Related Topics:
Moskva River - Red Square - Neglinnaya River - Alexander Garden

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