I don’t think that you have to visit the Grand Kremlin Palace every day. Therefore, we have a unique opportunity to see not only this building from the outside, but also to visit its beautiful halls. And I must say, it’s amazing.
The Great Kremlin Palace - a monumental yellow building with white platbands, a facade overlooking the Moscow River, stretching from west to east for 125 meters, was built by order of Emperor Nicholas I as a palace-monument to Russian history and the glory of the Russian army. In 1838-1849 it was built by Russian architects D.N. Chichalov, P.A. Gerasimov, A.N. Bakarev, F. Richter and others under the leadership of K.A. Ton. The palace was the temporary residence of the imperial family during its stay in Moscow. From the outside façade, the palace looks three-story, but actually consists of two floors. The ground floor projects forward and forms an open terrace above. Arched windows separated by narrow partitions give it the appearance of an enclosed gallery. The base is lined with natural stone. The two-tier facade of the second floor is divided by pilasters and completely decorated with carved white stone window frames in the style of Russian architecture of the 17th century. All photos and comments for them gborisova
Door portal of St. Andrew's Hall. St. Andrew's Order Order of St. Andrew the First-Called, the eldest of the Russian orders, established by Emperor Peter I in 1698 in the name of St. Apostle Andrew the First-Called, St. Baptism originally enlightened our borders. The Imperial Order of St. Andrew the First-Called has only one degree. Its signs are as follows: 1) a blue cross in a double-headed eagle crowned with three crowns, representing St. crucified on it. Apostle Andrew and having Latin letters at the four ends: - S. A. P. R., meaning: Sanctus Andreas Patronus Russiae, and on the other side, in the middle of the eagle, a charter on which is written the order’s motto: “for faith and fidelity”; 2) a silver star, having in the middle, in a golden field, a double-headed eagle, crowned with three crowns, and in the middle of the eagle there is a St. Andrew's cross; in a circle, in a blue field, at the top is the order’s motto in gold letters, and at the bottom are two connected laurel branches; the star is worn on the left side; 3) blue ribbon over the right shoulder; and on the order's holiday and other days, when the cavaliers will be ordered to be in full attire, instead of a ribbon there will be an order cross on a gold chain.
When conferring the order on non-Christians, an image of St. The Apostle, his name and the cross are replaced by the image of the Imperial Russian Eagle. The badges awarded for military exploits are accompanied by two crosswise swords. The order's attire consists of: 1) A long, green velvet cap, lined with white taffeta with silver eyes, tied in silver. cords, with the same tassels; on its left side there is a more ordinary star embroidered; 2) supervest white glazet, with gold braid, the same fringe and with a cross sewn on the chest; 3) a black velvet hat, with a red feather and the cross of St. Andrew the Apostle, sewn from a narrow blue ribbon. The gentlemen of this order are all considered to be in the third class, even if they were in the service below this class, and at the same time they are made knights of St. Alexander Nevsky, the White Eagle and St. Anna of the 1st class, even if they did not have such before. - The cavaliers celebrate the day of the establishment of this order - November 30, and the order was given a cathedral named after him on Vasilyevsky Island. Petersburg are under the special care and care of the gentlemen of this order. and Moscow educational homes (St. Z. t. I, Uchr. Ord. art. 291 et seq.). Encyclopedic Dictionary F.A. Brockhaus and I.A. Efron. - St. Petersburg: Brockhaus-Efron. 1890-1907.
St. Andrew's Hall has been the main one in the palace since its construction. On its eastern side are three throne seats under ermine canopies. All parts of the royal seat: the canopy, the steps of the footstools and the thrones are covered with precious gold brocade. The canopy inside is upholstered with ermine fur (today the ermine on the royal mantle is artificial - the old mantle that covered the thrones was sold in 1925). There are three throne seats. During the coronation of Emperor Nicholas II, they were intended for the emperor, empress and dowager empress - Nicholas's mother.
The imperial throne is shaded by a tent, with an entrance of six steps. On the ceiling of the tent is the state emblem of the Russian Empire - a double-headed eagle.
St. Andrew's Throne Hall During the days of the coronation celebrations, the Emperor and Empress received congratulations in the St. Andrew's Hall. Representatives of different nationalities, classes and religions were invited to Moscow from all over the country. The Emperor and Empress greeted them standing. The throne room of Russian emperors amazes with its size and dazzling luxury. The cross vaults rest on 10 tetrahedral columns, forming three naves. The vaults, columns and pylons are covered with gilded stucco in the form of a floral pattern. And the capitals are decorated with the sign of the order - a double-headed eagle, against which there is a blue cross with the image of a crucified apostle. The walls are covered with silk moire, decorated with chains and the sign of the Order. On the frieze of the longitudinal walls there are 48 titular coats of arms of Russian monarchs. “For faith and fidelity” is the motto of this order.
Dome of the Vladimir Hall. The Vladimir Hall is named after the Order of St. Vladimir. Order of St. Vladimir was dedicated to the holy Prince Vladimir, popularly called the “Red Sun”, who brought the light of Christ to Rus'. The Order was established in 1782 as a reward for outstanding military and civil service, as well as for long service. The motto of the order is “Benefit, honor and glory.” The two-height St. Vladimir Hall, octagonal in layout, unlike the St. George Hall, is illuminated by overhead light through the dome. The vault of the Vladimir Hall resembles tents, and the arches of the bypass side galleries seem to repeat the outlines of ancient arches. The dome is crowned with a light lantern. In the evening, the hall is illuminated by a huge gilded bronze chandelier.
St. George's Hall is the largest main hall in the entire palace: length 61 m, width 20.5 m, height 17.5 m. The combination of white and gold creates a feeling of solemnity with its simplicity. Powerful pylons support the vaulted ceiling, decorated with stucco in the form of floral patterns and rosettes. All eighteen pylons are topped with marble statues (sculptor Ivan Vitali) - allegorically symbolizing the regions and kingdoms that make up the multinational state. Structurally, each pylon consists of a tall hollow zinc column, decorated with stucco and topped with a capital of the Corinthian order. On the southern and northern walls there are bas-reliefs depicting St. George and the snake (sculptor Pavel Kladsh). The parquet floor resembles a gigantic patterned carpet. The floor is laid out with a pattern of more than 20 different types of wood - birch, ash, Indian rosewood, plane tree, plane tree, etc. In the evenings, the hall is illuminated by six bronze gilded openwork chandeliers. Each weighing 1300 kg. and 40 wall lights. The signs of St. George were: a gold and white enamel cross with the image of George slaying the serpent, a black and orange ribbon and a gold star with the motto “For service and courage.” Signs of the Order decorate the upper part of the walls of St. George's Hall. The names of the St. George Knights and the names of regular military units awarded this order are inscribed in gold on the wall plaques. They were awarded to soldiers and officers for bravery and courage shown in battle, and for length of service: 25 years in the army and 18 in the navy. Over the entire existence of the order, it was awarded to over 11 thousand heroes. At the solemn consecration of the palace in April 1849, Metropolitan Philaret of Moscow said: “The palace of St. George the Victorious should become a temple of the glory of the victorious Russian army.” This hall has witnessed many historical events.
The signs of St. George were: a gold and white enamel cross with the image of George slaying the serpent, a black and orange ribbon and a gold star with the motto “For service and courage.” Signs of the Order decorate the upper part of the walls of St. George's Hall. During ceremonial receptions, officers gathered, on whose chests were the same signs that decorate the walls of the hall. On the walls of the St. George's Hall there are marble plaques with the names of 545 regiments, naval crews and batteries carved in gold letters and more than 10 thousand names of officers and generals who were awarded the Order of St. George, among them such names as: Suvorov, Kutuzov, Ushakov, Nakhimov. At the solemn consecration of the palace in April 1849, Metropolitan Philaret of Moscow said: “The palace of St. George the Victorious should become a temple of the glory of the victorious Russian army.” The original parquet flooring made in 1845 has been preserved in the St. George's Hall. More than 20 valuable wood species from Southeast Asia and South America are used in its ornamentation. This hall hosts international conferences, diplomatic and government receptions, and award ceremonies of orders and medals.
This is one of the most impressive halls of the Kremlin Palace. Large and solemn, it is named after the Order of St. George the Victorious, established in 1769 by Empress Catherine II and which became the highest award in the Russian army. The Holy Great Martyr has long been revered in Rus' as the personification of military valor. Under Tsar Fyodor Ioannovich, there was even a certain prototype of this order. A coin with the image of St. George the Victorious was awarded to soldiers for bravery. At that time it was worn on a sleeve or on a hat. St. George the Victorious, in addition, has been considered the patron saint of Moscow since ancient times. Since its foundation, the image of the saint adorned the coat of arms of the ancient capital, and later became part of the coat of arms of Russia. At the solemn consecration of the palace in April 1849, Metropolitan Philaret of Moscow said: “The palace of St. George the Victorious should become a temple of the glory of the victorious Russian army.” On the walls of the St. George's Hall are depicted golden stars and insignia of the order with the motto “For service and bravery.” The names of 545 regiments, naval crews and batteries and more than 10 thousand names of officers and generals awarded the Order of St. George the Victorious are carved on the marble slabs. Among them are the names of field marshals A.V. Suvorov, M.I. Kutuzov, General P.I. Bagration, admirals F.F. Ushakov, P.S. Nakhimov. On both sides of the hall there are 18 twisted columns topped with allegorical statues of victories. The ceiling is decorated with stucco in the form of floral patterns and rosettes. The parquet floor of the hall is exceptional in its beauty and virtuosity. It is lined with a pattern of 20 different types of wood - birch, ash, Indian rosewood, plane tree, plane tree, etc. In the semicircles of the transverse walls are high-relief sculptures of St. George on a horse by the sculptor Peter Klodt.
The Alexander Hall, into which gilded doors lead from the St. George's Hall, is huge: 31.5 meters in length, 21 in width and 20 in height. In the design of this hall, architect Konstantin Ton used elements characteristic of Byzantine-Russian architecture. Prince Alexander of Novgorod, patron of the Order of St. Alexander Nevsky, a state award of the Russian Empire from 1725 to 1917, established by Catherine I, was famous for his piety and courage. The motto of the Order “For Labor and the Fatherland” was later placed on the star.
The dome of the Alexander Hall is a hemisphere that rests on massive pylons. In its molded gilded kortushki there are signs of the Order: a cross and a star with the monogram of S.A. On the sides is the state emblem - a double-headed eagle with a royal crown, scepter and orb. A house where the world has astonishment...a green red house, cunningly created by the Honesty of the kingdoms, molded together. Its beauty is powerfully comparable to Solomon’s beautiful coat... Gold shines brightly everywhere, The royal house of being shows beauty. I always look at the writings, I learn many wonderful stories... The four parts of the world are written, Aki are cunningly sculptured on copper... Buslaev F.I. Historical anthology of the Church Slavonic and Old Russian languages. M., 1861. P. 1197.
Entrance to St. Andrew's throne room. The parquet in the halls of the palace was made in 1843 by Moscow craftsmen. Its contemporaries called it beautiful, durable and elegant at the same time. Exquisite patterns and weaves of parquet design resemble a real woven carpet. In March 1960, Peter Moller, a professor at the Academy of Arts, proposed painting a painting on the theme of the life of St. Alexander Nevsky, patron of the Order. Six historical paintings were created and mounted in the upper niches of the end sides of the hall: on the western side - the military exploits of the prince, on the eastern - scenes from his peaceful life: a builder of monasteries, an enlightened and wise ruler.
Ceiling vaults of the Alexander Hall Sail vaults, decorated with order insignia, carry a spherical dome with the same insignia, framed by state emblems in triangular patterns on four sides. A house where the world has astonishment...a green red house, cunningly created by the Honesty of the kingdoms, molded together. Its beauty is powerfully comparable to Solomon’s beautiful coat... Gold shines brightly everywhere, The royal house of being shows beauty. I always look at the writings, I learn many wonderful stories... The four parts of the world are written, Aki are cunningly sculptured on copper... Buslaev F.I. Historical anthology of the Church Slavonic and Old Russian languages. M., 1861. P. 1197.
The huge, two-tier windows of the Alexander Hall face south and literally flood all the rooms with light reflected in numerous mirrors. White and pink artificial marble is used to decorate the walls. The furniture is upholstered in red velvet in the color of the order ribbon. On the walls between the twisted columns are the coats of arms of the lands that were part of the Russian Empire.
The carved massive doors are decorated with order crosses. In the 19th century, the main hall of the Grand Kremlin Palace was the St. Andrew's (throne) hall. In the mid-90s of the 20th century, St. Andrew's Hall was restored to its original splendor. The hall is decorated with 10 gilded pylons and gilded doors with order crosses and chains of the St. Andrew's Order, established by Emperor Peter I. The walls are covered with blue, the color of the St. Andrew's ribbon, silk moiré, decorated with chains and signs of the order. The coats of arms of the provinces and regions of Russia are placed above the windows. The dome of the hall is noteworthy, into the complex molded gilded patterns of which are woven order insignia with the motto “Benefit. Honor. Glory".
In addition, you have the opportunity to get acquainted with other halls of the Grand Kremlin Palace. Hall of the inauguration of the President of Russia! Red Porch. I am proud of the beauty, craftsmen, history and Russia!
St. Andrew's Hall amazes with its luxury and beauty, expensive decoration. And this is not surprising - the kings and queens of Russia sat in it, it has its own history and its own individuality.
From the photo of St. Andrew's Hall in the Kremlin, it is clear that a lot of work was put into its construction.
Briefly about the main thing
St. Andrew's Throne Hall in the Kremlin was built by personal order of Nicholas I in honor of the Order of St. Apostle Andrew the First-Called. It became the throne room of a large palace and the main hall of the Moscow Kremlin. We don’t even have to talk about the magnificent decoration of the room, which makes an impression on everyone who enters, due also to the fact that the walls of the hall are covered with moire fabric the color of St. Andrew’s ribbon.
Description of the hall
St. Andrew's Hall of the Kremlin is the most famous in the palace. The walls of this room are decorated with pink artificial marble and gilded on top. Along them were gilded chairs upholstered in velvet. Above the windows are the coats of arms of Russian provinces.
Ten gilded pylons decorate the hall, as well as various symbols in the form of crosses and chains. Silk curtains are in perfect harmony with the rest of the room's decoration. The tall gilded doors, decorated with order crosses, amaze the imagination. Above them are monogram images of the names of the emperors of Russia - Peter the Great, Paul the First and Nicholas the First. Peter - as the founder of the order, Paul - as the founder of the statute of the order, and Nikolai - as the builder of the hall.
At the far end of the hall there are three chairs, which were intended for the ruler, his wife and mother. This throne can still be seen in the Kremlin, upholstered in velvet and ermine fur. Hanging above the throne and above is a radiance with rays covered with gold leaf, in the center of which the All-Seeing Eye perches. On the sides of the tent hang double-headed eagles with the image of St. Andrew's cross on the chest. There are six steps leading up to the tent. Previously, back in Soviet times, there was a monument to Lenin in this place.
The floor, like in other rooms, is made of multi-colored wood and delights all tourists with its beautiful pattern and the enormous work that was put into this work of art. It should be mentioned that the last restoration of the hall was carried out in 1994-1998, when it was restored to its original form. The architect of St. Andrew's Hall was Konstantin Ton.
History of St. Andrew's Hall of the Kremlin
The main throne room was built in 1838-1849 by the architect Konstantin Ton. This master created temple architecture, which became widespread during the reign of Nicholas the First. From 1932 to 1934 the hall was destroyed. In its place, meetings of the Supreme Council of the USSR were held. In 1997, restoration work began. The leaders of this project were the leading architects of that time S.V. Demidova and E.V. Stepanova. The architects carried out enormous labor-intensive work with archival materials in Russia and abroad. Using past photographs of the hall, with the help of the latest technologies they were able to restore in full, down to the smallest detail, the hall as it was during the reign of Emperor Nicholas the First.
We cannot fail to mention such a restorer of the highest category as V. A. Ageichenko, who was a sculptor, an artist, and an engineer all rolled into one. For the throne room, he reproduced the coat of arms of the Russian Empire in bronze. He also created the coats of arms of Russian provinces, which were located above the windows of St. Andrew's Hall. The floors were also recreated by him. Thanks to this, the hall was restored down to the smallest detail.
Experts have found that for complete identity, twenty-three types of wood must be used to restore the floor. It was brought from all over the world, even from Africa, but nothing was changed, doing everything strictly in accordance with nineteenth-century drawings. A total of about ninety-nine companies participated in the restoration work.
The huge room was constantly filled with workers; about 2.5 thousand people worked day and night for the benefit of the people. Some ornaments did not turn out right away, for example, a double-headed eagle. The craftsmen first made a copper-colored eagle. Once established, the commission went to the opposite bank of the river to evaluate the result obtained from afar. They didn't like it because the eagle looked like a black spider. Therefore, we decided to make an eagle in the color of “wild stone”.
In St. Andrew's Hall, as in other rooms of the palace, various events are held, including a reception in honor of graduates of military universities. President Yeltsin began this tradition in 1999, and it continues to this day.
St. Andrew's Hall of the Kremlin before the revolution and after
In October-November 1917, due to an armed uprising, the Kremlin was very seriously damaged; there were detachments of cadets in it. Revolutionary troops carried out artillery shelling of the Kremlin. As a result, the walls of the palace, the clock, Nikolskaya, almost all churches located on the territory of the Kremlin, and the Small Nikolaevsky Palace were damaged.
During Soviet rule, the capital moved to Moscow, and the Kremlin began to be used as a political center. In March 1918, the Soviet government with V.I. Lenin moved into the building. The leaders of the Soviet government began to live in the palaces and buildings of the Kremlin. Free access to the structure was prohibited. Although previously anyone could visit this famous place. The Petrograd Collegium for the Protection of Antique Monuments and Art Treasures tried to get the Soviet government out of the Kremlin. The authorities did not even consider their appeal. Before the revolution, there were three thrones in the hall. Later they were searched throughout Russia. The first throne was found in Peterhof, the other two - in Gatchina. The Leningrad Museum did not want to give away the chairs, so they had to make copies.
During Soviet rule, the Moscow Kremlin suffered greatly. By order of Lenin, the monument to Prince Sergei Alexandrovich was demolished in 1918. In the same year, the memorial to Alexander the Second, which was built during the time of Nicholas the First, was also eliminated. In 1922, about 300 pounds of silver, approximately 2 pounds of gold, and a huge amount of precious stones were confiscated from church cathedrals and temples. Congresses of councils and congresses of the Third International began to be organized in the Kremlin, a kitchen was established in the Golden Chamber, and a public dining room was made in Granovitaya. They decided to set up a gym in the Catherine Church. Such disrespect for an architectural work of art could not but affect its original appearance. It is believed that at that time the Kremlin lost more than half of its attractions.
In 1990, the Kremlin was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.
All-seeing eye
Above the thrones is the All-Seeing Eye (in the St. Andrew's Hall of the Kremlin), made of gold. The throne room was erected in honor of the highest order of Russia - the Masonic Order. Some believe that the All-Seeing Eye means God in Christianity (in Hebrew it is translated as “master of the horde”, one of the seventy-two secret names of the Jewish Lord God).
This sign is used in many Christian churches, in Freemasonry. One dollar bills also have the All-Seeing Eye printed on them. Others believe that this biblical sign is a symbol of Divine Providence and an emblem of the Trinity. In Christianity, the All-Seeing Eye in a triangle means the Trinity and the meaning lies in the following words: “Behold, the eye of the Lord is upon those who fear Him and trust in His mercy.”
Excursion to the Kremlin
In Russia, St. Andrew's Hall of the Kremlin, like other halls, is often visited by tourists. The palace is a specially protected area. You cannot bring anything unnecessary to the Kremlin. It is prohibited to arrive drunk, in inappropriate appearance, or with weapons that are dangerous to other people. If there are things that cannot be brought in, then they must be handed over to the storage room in the Alexander Garden. You can also take photographs not everywhere, but only where it is allowed and where your guide indicates. For example, it is prohibited to photograph the Catherine Hall of the Kremlin.
Sometimes it is prohibited to take photographs in the Front Entrance, the Terem Palace and the Chamber of Facets. Entrance to the Kremlin is permitted with a passport; children over twelve years old can come with a foreign passport. However, from the age of fourteen, children can go on excursions with a Russian passport. Since the Kremlin halls are used for official events and other celebrations, it is possible that your tour may be rescheduled to a time more suitable for the palace.
Excursion time
A tour of the Kremlin's St. Andrew's Hall is held every day, except Thursday - this is a day off. From ten in the morning to three in the afternoon. The duration of the tour is two hours for groups of twenty people. The cost of such an excursion is 4,500 rubles, for foreign tourists - 5,500 rubles without the use of an interpreter.
When carrying out restoration work, the Italian master was afraid that the workers would do the modeling incorrectly, so he slept for four days on the floor in St. Andrew's Hall.
Catherine the Second also wanted to build a palace on the southern slope of the Kremlin hill, instead of a fortress wall, but her plans did not come true.
- In past residence of the emperors, today is the ceremonial residence of the President of Russia.
- Huge palace the construction of which lasted 10 years, appeared in the Kremlin in the 19th century under Nicholas I.
- The building includes the remains of earlier buildings: the Terem Palace, nine churches and the Chamber of Facets.
- The Great Kremlin Palace is 125 meters long, its height is 47 meters, and the total area of the building is 25,000 sq.m..
- The residence has a huge lobby, about 700 rooms and five halls that are used for high-level meetings and state ceremonies.
- The “Malachite Foyer” is open to visitors, where you can see portraits of all Russian sovereigns.
The Grand Kremlin Palace is a unique architectural ensemble and a landmark museum for Moscow. Once it housed the chambers of the imperial family, and now it is the ceremonial residence of the President of Russia. The palace is open to visitors only as part of organized excursions, which are conducted according to a schedule previously agreed upon with the Federal Security Service. Personal chambers of emperors with authentic furnishings, throne and order halls, luxurious interiors and paintings - the Palace amazes with its beauty and grandeur.
Construction of the palace
Even during the reign of Empress Catherine II, the architect Vasily Bazhenov proposed building a gigantic new palace in the Kremlin, but due to its complexity and high cost, his project was not brought to life. A new residence in the Kremlin appeared by order of the grandson of the Empress, Nicholas I. The palace was built for almost ten years, from 1838 to 1849. The work on it brought together outstanding Russian artists and architects - N. Chichagov, V. Bakarev, N. Shokhin, P. Gerasimova, F. Solntseva.
The author of the project is the recognized master Konstantin Ton. Emperor Nicholas I was directly involved in the search for an architectural style for the palace. They decided to build a new residence in the traditions of “Byzantine-Russian architecture.” It is believed that the design with its monumental forms, created by Andrei Stackenschneider, was taken as the basis for the project. On the site of old buildings from the 15th to 18th centuries. They erected a building that amazes with its size and harmony of lines. The length of the Grand Kremlin Palace is 125 meters, height - 47 meters, total area - 25,000 square meters. From the outside it appears to be three stories high, but in reality it has two floors.
During a detailed study of the project, experts discovered many similarities with palace buildings of the 15th - 18th centuries that stood on this site earlier. The windows of the lower tier in the modern palace correspond to the arches of the basement of the 15th century palace, the outer gallery corresponds to the external passages, and the terrace looks like an ancient walkway. The palace also had a Winter Garden - a kind of repetition of the hanging gardens of Tsar Alexei Mikhailovich. The Grand Kremlin Palace included especially valuable parts of previous buildings: the Terem Palace of Tsar Alexei Mikhailovich, nine temples (the oldest of which dates back to the 14th century), the Faceted Chamber of the 15th century. The residence has about 700 rooms, a huge lobby and five majestic halls.
In 1849 the palace was 
consecrated in the presence of Emperor Nicholas I. In parallel, construction began on a building in the same style. With its construction, the ensemble of the Grand Kremlin Palace was finally formed. The buildings are connected by an overpass. After the socialist revolution of 1917 and the move of the Soviet government to Moscow, many rooms of the palace began to be used as residential buildings. Nowadays, the Palace hosts the inauguration ceremony of the President of Russia, high-level meetings are held, and orders are awarded - high state awards of the Russian Federation.
Visitors can enter the Kremlin Palace from the side on Cathedral Square. Nearby is the front porch of the Kremlin's Faceted Chamber; it is decorated with figures of lions and covered with a gilded lattice.
Style decision of the ensemble
The external appearance of the Palace is emphatically austere: it is decorated with a large number of stucco elements, which partially copy the decorative decorations of the 17th century. To ensure that the building does not stand out from the general ensemble of the Kremlin, its external design uses “elements of the Russian style”, characteristic of earlier buildings. From the top viewpoint you can see that the first floor of the palace protrudes forward and forms an open terrace. The arched windows of the first tier are separated by thin partitions and outwardly resemble a closed gallery, lined with natural stone. The second floor with two tiers of windows is divided by pilasters and decorated with decorative architraves in the “Russian style” with double arches and a weight in the middle. The palace ends with a “tribune” - an architectural elevation, which is crowned with a golden balustrade. It is decorated with “kokoshniks” - semicircular decorative elements and historical coats of arms of the kingdoms that were part of the Russian Empire: Moscow, Kazan, Astrakhan, Tauride, Finland and Poland.
Halls of the Palace
The palace lobby is a suite of marble-lined halls with polished granite columns. A huge grand staircase leads to the second floor. The vault covered with arches, the red carpet, the main entrance of the palace facing the Moscow River - this part of the palace is easily recognizable from the memorable shots of the inauguration ceremonies of Russian presidents. It was along these stairs that B. Yeltsin, V. Putin and D. Medvedev climbed before taking the oath. Having gone upstairs, each visitor sees a huge painting “Whoever comes to us with a sword will die by the sword,” created by the artist S. Prisekin in 1983.
The round passage hall located in the center of the palace is called Vladimirsky. It is dedicated to the Order of Saint 
Equal-to-the-Apostles Grand Duke Vladimir. Ruled at the end of the 10th - beginning of the 11th centuries. The Kiev prince was able to unite the tribes of the Eastern Slavs and adopted the Orthodox religion as the state religion. The shape of the hall resembles the Roman Pantheon; it is also illuminated from above by a round window.
The oldest room in the palace (and all of Moscow) is built in 1487‒1491. Marco Ruffo and Antonio Solari. The exterior is decorated with rustication and is reminiscent of Italian Renaissance buildings. In front of its entrance is the Red Porch, on which complaints were usually submitted to the Tsar in the 15th - 17th centuries. The chamber has unique frescoes with biblical scenes, rare beautiful parquet flooring and glittering gold interiors.
- This is the hall of the most honorable military order of the Russian Empire - the Order of the Holy Great Martyr George the Victorious. The order was approved by Empress Catherine II in 1769 for military merits and bravery on the battlefield. Meetings of the Knights of St. George were held here. The names of 545 army units and more than 10,000 names of officers and generals are carved on the walls. Among them are the great Russian commanders of the 18th-19th centuries: A. Suvorov, M. Kutuzov, P. Bagration, F. Ushakov, P. Nakhimov.
Alexander Hall named after the Order of the Holy Blessed Prince Alexander Nevsky, which was established in 1725 by Empress Catherine I in honor of the patron saint of St. Petersburg.
St. Andrew's Hall dedicated to the highest order of the Russian Empire and modern Russia - the Order of the Holy Apostle Andrew the First-Called. St. Andrew's Hall was originally considered the main imperial hall Moscow Kremlin, where the throne of the emperor was installed. The restored throne under a canopy decorated with velvet and ermine fur can still be seen. In Soviet times, a monument to V. Lenin was erected on the site of the throne, and congresses of the Communist Party and sessions of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR were held in the hall itself. Nowadays, inauguration ceremonies of the Russian President take place here. Above the throne you can 
see the image of the Radiant Delta - the All-Seeing Eye of the Lord in the rays of glory. This is the personification of God's patronage of power.
Dedicated to the Women's Order of St. Catherine. It is located away from the main premises of the Palace and was also the throne room of the emperors. It is closed to visitors.
Here you can also see a unique Terem Palace- residence of the Moscow tsars of the 17th century. It was built in 1635‒1636. on the foundation of a 15th-century palace, it has an enfilade structure. In its last room there is a bedroom, next to it are the king’s personal chambers. The interiors amaze with their wealth and luxury, the beauty of the tiled stoves and paintings on the walls. Go into it
View of the palace from the Moscow River
The long 125-meter facade of the palace stretches along the embankment of the Moscow River. Almost all Russians recognize his appearance, even those who have never been to the capital. A huge palace appeared in the Kremlin in the middle of the 19th century, during the reign of Emperor Nicholas I. And the author of the architectural design of the palace building was the famous Russian architect Konstantin Andreevich Ton.
The idea to build a new palace in Moscow was born after Russia's victory in the Patriotic War of 1812. The burned city was being rebuilt, and the Russian Tsar wanted a new building to appear in it that could emphasize Moscow’s connection with folk traditions. Nicholas I dreamed that the palace would turn into a monument to all Russian soldiers. In accordance with the wishes of the sovereign, the architect prepared a design for the building in the so-called pseudo-Russian style. Construction took 10 years and was completed in 1849.
The majestic palace rises to 47 m, and the total area of its premises is 25 thousand square meters. m. This is not a single building, but a whole architectural complex, which includes nine churches and chambers of the 16th-17th centuries, the Terem Palace, 700 halls and rooms, as well as a long vestibule.
The main palace halls are named after Russian orders. State awards and credentials are presented in the five most luxuriously decorated halls. In addition, official celebrations take place here.
Although today this palace is considered the residence of the President of the country, you can get inside it. Subject to prior registration, tours of the palace premises are permitted to organized groups.
Terem Palace
View of the southern façade of the palace
The Grand Kremlin Palace complex includes a unique five-story building that appeared in the heart of the city at the beginning of the 16th century. This is an unusual Terem Palace, the author of the initial project of which was the famous Italian master of architecture Aleviz Fryazin. The building received its final appearance in the 1630s, when Russia was ruled by Tsar Mikhail Fedorovich.
In the first half of the 17th century, most city buildings were wooden. When a five-story stone building was erected in the Kremlin, Muscovites perceived it as a real miracle! The residents were especially impressed by the top floor - the golden-domed Teremok, in which the Boyar Duma then met.
The Terem Palace is made of stone in the traditions of Russian wooden architecture, and its interiors are richly decorated with colorful wall paintings. Stained glass is inserted into the palace windows, and the rooms contain tiled stoves and carved wooden furniture.
Arsenal
Arsenal building
The first arsenal building was built at the beginning of the 18th century. In 1737, the so-called Great or Trinity Fire occurred in Moscow, as a result of which the city center almost completely burned out. The Kremlin arsenal also suffered greatly from the fire.
At the end of the 18th century, the arsenal was restored under the leadership of the famous architect Matvey Kazakov. However, during the War of 1812 the building was damaged again. French troops retreating from Moscow blew up the Kremlin workshop. The two-story building, which has survived to this day, was erected in the traditions of classicism in 1815-1828.
The square building stands not far from the Nikolskaya Tower. You can't get inside it. Today, the historical building houses the commandant’s office services and premises where military personnel of the Presidential Regiment live. These are the soldiers who guard the Kremlin and participate in honor guards at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and near the Eternal Flame.
State Kremlin Palace
View of the Kremlin Palace from Senate Square
The “youngest” palace building on the Kremlin territory appeared in 1961. Before the collapse of the USSR, it was called the “Kremlin Palace of Congresses.” A new spacious palace was built for public and official events. Its light-colored facades are impressive. They are lined with beautiful Ural marble and anodized aluminum.
In the 1960-1980s, participants of party congresses came here. Nowadays, performances and theatrical performances are shown in the large building, and on New Year's Day the palace gathers children for the country's main Christmas tree.
Senate Palace
View of the domed Senate hall from the courtyard
A beautiful palace for meetings of the Governing Senate was erected by order of Catherine II in the 1770-1780s. The Russian Empress entrusted the construction of the palace to Matvey Kazakov, and the eminent architect prepared a brilliant design for a triangular building in the best traditions of classicism.
Many famous Russian statesmen visited this palace, and various bodies of Russian government met in it. In the 1920s, V.I.’s office was located here. Lenin, and later in the majestic building of Kazakov, the government of the USSR held its meetings.
The rounded dome of the Senate Palace is clearly visible from Red Square. Below it is the spacious Catherine Hall, where all the main events with the participation of the President of the country take place. A richly decorated marble staircase leads to the entrance to the hall.
The dome rises 29 m above the floor of the Catherine Hall. The sections of the walls between the window openings look very solemn. They are decorated with bas-reliefs depicting portraits of Russian princes and tsars. Today, the Senate Palace houses the working and representative offices of the President, as well as the presidential library.
Faceted Chamber
View of the Faceted Chamber from Cathedral Square
The impressive building of the Faceted Chamber is one of the ancient Kremlin palaces. It was built at the end of the 15th century by Marco Ruffo and Pietro Antonio Solari (Petr Fryazin), Italian architects who worked for Tsar John III.
The palace received its name due to the decoration of the facade on the eastern side with faceted or “diamond” rustication. This is exactly how rich Italian palaces were decorated during the Renaissance. The Faceted Chamber played the role of the reception chambers of the Grand Dukes. The Boyar Duma met in it and Zemsky Councils were held. The victories of the Russian army were celebrated more than once in this palace. And along the Red Porch the sovereigns walked to the coronation ceremony at the Assumption Cathedral.
The museum-apartment of Nikolai Semenovich Golovanov (1891–1953), a great conductor, composer and pianist, dates back to 1969, when, after the death of the musician’s sister, this apartment became part of the Russian National Museum of Music.
The basis of the funds was the rich heritage of the musician: his
collections of paintings, sculpture, applied art, library, archive and music library. Over the years, the value of this heritage has steadily increased.
Golovanov’s status as a conductor and composer has changed: now this master is recognized as great. The amazing concentration of spirituality, creative energy, and the true scope of his creativity are striking. His personality is also attractive, first of all, his loyalty to the high moral principles laid down from childhood and his uncompromising, selfless service to art.
The conductor’s memorial apartment with its various rarities is also amazing for its concentration of spiritual values. The house itself in Bryusov Lane, in which it is located, is a cultural monument. It belonged to the Bolshoi Theater. Since 1935, such luminaries of Moscow vocal art as A. V. Nezhdanova, N. A. Obukhova, I. S. Kozlovsky, A. S. Pirogov, M. P. Maksakova lived here. Golovanov lived here for about twenty years (1935–1953). It was during these years, heading the orchestra of the All-Union Radio and later the Bolshoi Theater, that he became a leading figure in the musical life of Moscow. Three rooms of this apartment (study, living room, dining room) are memorial. Here, almost every object remembers Golovanov. And in the former bedroom, archive materials are concentrated, allowing one to trace the musician’s path.
The initial stage was studying at the Synodal School of Church Singing (1900–1909), which took place under the guidance of such masters as choirmasters V. S. Orlov, N. M. Danilin, composers P. G. Chesnokov, A. D. Kastalsky, Vikt. S. Kalinnikov. Golovanov wrote in his declining years: “The Synodal School gave me everything: moral principles, principles of life, iron discipline, the ability to work hard and systematically, instilled in me a sacred love of work.”
The next stage is studying at the Moscow Conservatory in the class of composition and theory with S. N. Vasilenko and A. A. Ilyinsky. At the same time, Golovanov did not lose contact with the Synodal School, becoming its teacher and assistant regent of the famous Synodal Choir. From 1915 until almost his last days, he worked at the Bolshoi Theater (albeit with three forced breaks). These were the culminating years in the life of the theater. Under the direction of Golovanov and his eminent “team” (artist F. F. Fedorovsky, directors L. V. Baratov, B. A. Pokrovsky and other outstanding masters), such masterpieces were created as productions of “Boris Godunov”, “Sadko”, “ Khovanshchina" 1948–1950.
No less effective is Golovanov’s leadership of the Big Radio Symphony Orchestra. His activities in Moscow during the Great Patriotic War were especially important. Live broadcasts of the orchestra’s performances lifted the spirits of even people far from music. In a photograph from 1943 we see the conductor during the first performance in the USSR of S. V. Rachmaninov’s Third Symphony. The exhibition also reflects Golovanov’s compositional work from different years, from piano variations of his childhood to spiritual chants of the 1940s.
A special section is dedicated to the long-term union of Golovanov with A.V. Nezhdanova: the musician was the accompanist and husband of the great singer. Entering the memorial rooms of the Museum, visitors are immediately immersed in the world of art. Paintings by first-class artists (I. I. Levitan, M. V. Nesterov, K. A. Korovin and many others), sculptural portraits, antique furniture in the Empire style, stucco on the ceilings - everything creates a unique atmosphere. At the same time, Golovanov’s “handwriting” is felt. Already in the layout of the apartment, features of theatricality are visible: the living room correlates with the office, like a theater hall and stage. The doors with bronze mythological figures are also remarkable. Although the genres and themes of paintings and sculptures presented in the memorial rooms are varied, each room has its own dominant features. The study is the most “musical” room. There are many portraits of composers, conductors, as well as figures of art and literature. In the living room, a significant place is occupied by images related to religious themes and images that embody the ideals of female beauty. The dominant theme in the dining room is travel in time and space: Russia and England, Italy and Egypt, India and the fabulous Berendey kingdom, deep antiquity and the 20th century. Architectural masterpieces of the world come to life on the paintings - the Taj Mahal mausoleum by V.V. Vereshchagin, the Pskov Kremlin by V.V. Meshkov, the Venetian Doge's Palace in the painting by I.K. Aivazovsky.
And another attraction of the Museum is its visitors in the past and present. After all, Golovanov was visited by many outstanding musicians and artists. The owner of the apartment loved to organize a feast on holidays and memorable days. The regulars were the singers of the Bolshoi Theater who lived in the same house - Obukhova, Maksakova, Pirogov, Kozlovsky... And after the opening of the Museum (1974), conductors B. E. Khaikin, K. P. Kondrashin, G. N. Rozhdestvensky, F. Sh. Mansurov, Yu. I. Simonov. Among the concert visitors are composer V. A. Gavrilin, ballerina E. S. Maksimova, singer Z. A. Dolukhanova. And at the present time, the Museum has a lot of things that attract conductors, professional musicians, art connoisseurs, music lovers, and a wide range of people seeking to touch the world of beauty.
