The general layout of the city is a series of concentric circles and radial lines emanating from the Kremlin – the ancient citadel that stands on a hill on the left banks of the Moskva River.
For a long time now, the awe inspiring fortress has been the nucleus of political authority and the symbol of Russian power. The venue of many a momentous event in Russian history- the imposing walls of the Kremlin and the magnificent Red Square have stood witness to a significant sweep of history from Tsarist to Soviet to contemporary democratic Russia. The towers of the Kremlin stab the Moscow skyline in sharp reminder of their constant presence, its beautiful cathedrals and splendid palaces add to its magnificence as the political, cultural and historical centre of the city.
The Palace of Congress is a large auditorium where the Communist party holds it’s congress and it also doubles as a concert hall with regular ballet and music performances.
Turn the corner from the Palace of Congress and the Patriarch’s Palace looms into view. It houses the Museum of Seventeenth-Century Life and Applied Art with displays of ecclesiastical regalia, period furniture and domestic paraphernalia.
Moving further along, one comes to the Tsar Cannon (Tsar-pushka), cast by Andrei Chokhov in 1586. It is one of the largest cannons ever made and was intended to defend the Saviour Gate – but it has never been fired. Close by is the earthbound Tsar Bell (Tsar-kolokol), the largest bell in the world.
Beyond the Patriarch’s Palace lies Cathedral Square (Sobornaya ploshchad), surrounded by a superb array of buildings that give the square its name. The tallest structure is Ivan the Great Bell Tower , the oldest and most important Orthodox Church is the Cathedral of Assumption.
The diminutive Church of Deposition of the Robe , the burial place of the rulers of Muscova, the Cathedral of the Archangel and the golden domed Cathedral of Annunciation – all contribute to making this a historical and religious showpiece.
Situated between the Great Kremlin Palace and the Borovitskiy Gate is the Armoury Palace , which holds a staggering array of treasures, among them the tsars coronation robes, carriages, jewellery, dinner services and armour. Their splendour and curiosity value outweigh the trouble and expense involved in seeing them. The palace also houses the State Diamond Fund , which contains the most valuable gems and jewellery in Russia. Tickets to the Kremlin are sold between 10:00am and 5:00 p.m. Thursdays are closed days.