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Kremlin and Cathedrals

Kremlin (Russian: Кремль, Kreml) - Russia's mythic refuge - is a self-contained city with a multitude of palaces, armouries, and churches. Though its name instantly sparks images of formidable walls, glistening onion domes, and cloistered rulers of eras past, the word "Kremlin" simply means "fortified town".

The Moscow Kremlin is one of the largest museums in the world. State regalia, invaluable icons, and treasures of Russian tsars are all stored in the Kremlin chambers and cathedrals. You will also enjoy the Tsar Bell that never rang and the Tsar Cannon that was never fired. The Tsar Cannon is the oldest and largest cannon in the world. This huge gun is over 5.5 meters in length and weighs 40 tons. The Tsar Bell was supposed to be the biggest and clearest sounding bell in the world. Unhappily, before it was set, the bell cracked in a fire in 1737.

The Kremlin dates back to 1147 and the very beginnings of Moscow. The original towered walls were completed in 1157, ten years after Moscow's founding, and by the late 14th century, Moscow had risen enough in power and prestige to become the seat of the Russian Orthodox Church. This change brought with it the construction of some of the Kremlin's most impressive structures, including the Cathedral of the Assumption, where Ivan defiantly tore up the charter binding Moscow to Mongol rule. Over the centuries, almost every ruler added their own monumental touches to the ensemble, leaving us with the dazzling citadel we see today.
The Ivan the Great Bell Tower is a famous Moscow landmark, visible from 30km (20mi) away, with the cracked Tsar Bell at its foot. The towers lining the Kremlin include the Tower of Secrets (the oldest) and the Gothic and Renaissance Saviour's Tower.

During the guided tour you will have an opportunity to enjoy the historical monuments, such as the Great Kremlin Palace and the Arsenal building, see the trophy weapons of the war of 1812 and admire the cathedrals on the territory of the Kremlin. The Arkhangelsky Cathedral is the burial place of the great Moscow princes and tsars. There are graves of Ivan Kalita, Dmitri Donskoi, Ivan the Terrible, Mikhail and Aleksey Romanovs in the cathedral. 47 tombstones and 2 shrines are located here. The walls of the cathedral are decorated with the unique portrait gallery of Moscow rulers and their glorious ancestors. The Uspensky Cathedral for many centuries has been the main temple of Russia. The official ceremonies of the Emperors coronations and other state important events took place here. Nowadays the visitors of the Uspensky Cathedral can see the magnificent iconostasis, one of the largest collections of ancient icons in Russia, the famous prayer place of Ivan the Terrible and a unique historical necropolis. The Annunciation Cathedral used to be the private temple of Moscow princes and tsars. It contains the valuable collection of monumental painting and a precious iconostasis. Some of the icons of the cathedral could have been painted by famous Feofan Grek and Andrey Rublev.

During this tour you visit one cathedral.