MOSCOW KREMLIN

MOSCOW KREMLIN

The Moscow Kremlin (Russian: Моско́вский Кремль, tr. Moskovskiy Kreml; IPA: [mɐˈskofskʲɪj krʲemlʲ]), sometimes referred to as simply the Kremlin, is a historic fortified complex at the heart of Moscow, overlooking the Moskva River (to the South), Saint Basil's Cathedraland Red Square (to the East) and the Alexander Garden (to the West). It is the best known of kremlins (Russian citadels) and includes four 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.

The Moscow Kremlin is the formidable fort that has been at the heart of Russian power for five centuries. From inside its towering red walls, czars, such as Ivan the Terrible, and communist leaders, such as Stalin, ruled over their vast empires. Even today, it is the home of the Russian president and a powerful symbol of Russian power.

The State Kremlin Palace was built in 1961 by the Soviet government after some historic buildings were demolished to clear a space. Amazingly, half the building—at least five stories—underground! Inside the concrete and glass State Kremlin Palace is one of three nuclear suitcases containing the controls for responding to a nuclear attack.

Housing a collection of gems from the reign of Emperor Peter I of Russia, and all succeeding monarchs, the Diamond Treasury is a true treasure trove. Among its delights is the infamous Orlov

Diamond. One legend that accompanies this 190-carat rock claims that it was stolen from the eye of a statue of a Hindu god in southern India by a French soldier.

This is home to the most fabulous silver collection in the world!

A secret extension of the Moscow Metro links the Kremlin to the Moscow underground. It was built by Stalin—presumably so that Kremlin officials didn’t get caught in rush-hour traffic!

According to legend, somewhere in the underground labyrinths of the Kremlin lies the medieval library of Ivan the Terrible, said to contain a priceless collection of ancient manuscripts. Even Stalin’s finest spies couldn’t locate the goods. In 1997, 87-year-old Apalos Ivanov claimed to know where it was. People believed him because the legend states that anyone finding it goes blind, and Ivanov was blind. The library is still in a blind spot though.

At 20 ft (6 m) tall with a diameter of 21 ft (6.5 m), the Czar Bell is the largest ever made. It has never been rung due to a crack down its side that occurred during casting.