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Sightseeing Enjoy the treasures of Moscow with all its breathtaking churches, monasteries, galleries, museums, and grand mansions. KREMLIN NATIONAL HISTORY MUSEUM CHURCHES AND MONASTERIES THE WORLD OF THE RUSSIAN ESTATE ARKHANGELSKOE |
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Kremlin TOP On this place the city, great and large, will be erected. And from this place the triangle-like kingdom will expand». Thus the ancient books told of Moscow's Kremlin, the old and the new. The significance of the Kremlin is clear to every-one. Above all, it is a collection of the greatest symbols that represent Russia. Although the Kremlin's plan looks like a triangle, it is actually oriented on four sides. We can easily find in its walls the Western Borovitsky (Forest) Gate, the Southern Taynitsky (Secret) Gate and the three Eastern Gates. The area of the Kremlin triangle is like a cathedral, where the Red Square is the major altar. The Red Square is separated from the cathedral by the altar barrier, represented by the wall with the Savior's Gate. Now it is difficult to say whether this design is inherited from the 12th century, when the first small wooden fortress was built on the Kremlin Hill, or from the 14th century, when the fortress was enlarged. Or maybe the Kremlin owes its mystery to the Messianic sufferings of Ivan III? Or to the Italian architects invited by that Tsar? These very architects alongside with the Russian masters built the walls and cathedrals we see today.
The Cathedral Square is the best place to begin exploring the Moscow Kingdom. The Assumption Cathedral echoes past prayers for victories as well as prayers of thanks. It reflects the church leaders whose earthly remains it has accepted. In the Archangel Michael Cathedral there are tombs of the grand dukes and tsars, five Ivans and three Basils, Dimitry Donskoy and the early Romanovs. In its basement there are sarcophagi of the tsarinas and the princesses moved from the destroyed Monastery of the Christ's Ascension. The Cathedral of the Annunciation (1484-89), is the place where the tsars prayed in the solitude of their own home. It is the face of the Tsar's palace; as it faces the Cathedral Square, just as the Facets Palace (Granovitaya Palata) does. This is the main Hall of the Palace, and represents the entrance to Russia as a whole. The Red Steps, a part of the Facets Palace, is known as the gala entrance. On the northern corner of the Facets Palace there is a unique sculptural portrait. Some believe that this is a self-portrait of the chief architect of Moscovia, Pietro Antonio Solari, the successor to Aristotle. In this Palace diplomatic missions were received, grand dinners were served, clerical discussions were heard, and tyrants went on their rampages. Women were not admitted, the tsarinas had their own gala hall named The Golden Chambers. These chambers also faced the square, but were situated to the north off of a dead-end street. The Golden Chambers are 400 years old, and are surmounted with four churches containing eleven domes under one roof! These churches, the work of a master architect named Joseph Startsev, date back 350 years. You can barely see the Terem Palace (Terem-noy Dvorets) behind the domes of the churches, but it can be approached from the northern side. This palace is a masterpiece of the 17th century, architecturally, and as a representation of Russian tsars' daily life. The building has four stories which were constructed, one by one, between 1508-1638. The Great Palace, built in the 1830's by court architect Constantine Thon, closes the Terem from the riverside. The interior of the gala halls, especially the George Hall, dare to compete with the beauty of the Facets Palace. This palace rivals the Terem as well with its decorative living rooms.
From the east, the ensemble of the Cathedral Square is completed by the complex of the Belfry of Ivan the Great, built in 1505-08 by Bonne Fryasin. In 1600, at the time of Boris Godunov, the Belfry was increased in height. Evidence for this is the signature under the dome. Godunov, referred to as «Tsar the Constructor», dreamed of expanding the Kremlin's limits. From these dreams we have inherited not only the Great Belfry, but the composition of the entire com-plex. In the 1530's, the Medium Belfry became the Resurrection Church, and at the beginning of the 17th century the Small Belfry, named Phyla-retovskaya, appeared. The dedication to the Resurrection of Christ and the composition of the three buildings of different height, combine to remind one of the image of the Cathedral of the God's Tomb in Jerusalem. This imagery constitutes another historical layer of the Krem-lin's architecture. The notion, however, has not yet been fully disclosed. The Kremlin's main holy place remains the Assumption Cathedral, which is surrounded by palaces and churches. It is hidden so carefully that visitors are rarely able to guess the actual location of the main Russian cathedral. What a contrast to the church complex of Ivan the Great Belfry, the architectural pivot of Moscow! The bell being the country's symbol of independence, the Belfry takes on a special significance. It consists of bells gathered from all over Russia and has become the voice of its people, symbolizing unity and harmony. The symbolism surrounding the Belfry is not accidental. The King of Bells (Tsar Kolokol) and the Queen of Cannons (Tsar Pushka) are magni-ficent souvenirs of the 16th and 18th centuries. They constitute a timeless aspect of Russian history; the transition of war and peace. During times of peace, the cannons were melted into bells, and impending war melted them back into cannons. Such is the versatile architectural core of the Kremlin. As for the cultural life of the Kremlin, The Armoury Chamber is a treasure of the Arts. The collection was established in the 16th century, and has become one of the most wonderful museums in the world. Situated near the Borovit-sky Gate (Forest Gate), the museum was built in the mid-19th century and like the Great Palace, was designed by architect Constantin Thon. The peripheral area of the Kremlin's triangle is quite different than its center. It was primarily designed for the estates of the aristocracy, and one of these estates has been preserved. It is known as the Pleasure Palace (Poteshnyi Dvo-rets) thanks to the first Russian theatre, which became the court theatre during the 17th century. The theatre was housed in the beautiful chambers of the powerful nobleman, boyarin Myloslavsky. The defeat of the ancient aristocratic Myloslav-sky clan was one of the main victories of Peter the Great on his way to the reforms. The grand architectural design of the Arsenal, dominating the living section of the northern corner of the Kremlin, became a symbol of the triumphant reign of Peter I. The construction of the Arsenal was being implemented during the Northern War, and was completed after the Emperor's death. The design of the Arsenal had significantly determined the fate of Moscow's urban develop-ment. It altered the city's scale, the best example being the building of the Senate.
National History Museum TOP State National History museum in Red Square was founded on the personal order of Emperor Alexander II in 1872. Built after architect Sherwood and engineer Semenov's project it welcomed its first visitors in 1883. The opening cermony was held on the coronation day of Alexander III. The museum bore his name until 1917. The original idea of Uvarov and Zabelin, the museum scientific advisers, was to create a collection of exibits that introduce visitors to the daily style of the past life therefore articles of everyday use are of greater value than rarities. National History museum today is the national treasury of Russia, the storage of world renowned rarities and relics. Russian history and culture dating back to the ancient times to the present day are represented by 4,5 million articles and 15 million sheets of unique documents. The whole collection is divided into 13 departments: archeology, numismatics, ceramics and glass, metallic and synthetic materials, manuscripts and old printed books, written sources, precious stones, cloths and dresses, wood and furniture, weapons, visual materials, book storage.
Every month new expositions dedicated to important landmarks and celebrated historical figures are open. They acquaint visitors with the history, culture and spiritual traditions of Russia. Concerts of folk, classical, choral and spiritual music, soirees of ancient songs and Russian romance are held in the museum halls. Museum specialists carry out scientific and artistic expertise of objects of decorative and applied art, paintings, graphics. Visitors may visit museum shop, cafe, restaurant. Churches and Monasteries TOP
Upon his death, the Prince was buried at the monastery. Later, the Saint Daniel Monastery was transferred to the Kremlin under another name, and only in the 16th century was it recreated on its original birthplace. Ivan the Terrible's prophetic dream was responsible for this restoration. The oldest parts of the Cathedral date back exactly to the times of Ivan the Terrible. The walls of the Church Surmounting the Gate and the Trinity Cathedral were under construction for quite a few centuries. The latest constructions are dated 1987-88, the date of the celebration of the millennium of Christianity in Russia when the monastery was turned into the residence of the Sacred Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church. The construction of the buildings of the Synod, the Chapel and the archaic canopy over the well became not only a memorial event, but also the first attempt to revive the art of architecture in Russia. This occurred after more than half a century of stagnation.
It is natural that the Monastery was formed in a surprisingly monotheistic ensemble, a «somewhat city» in its style which the Russian art critics call the «Na-ryshkin» one that is the Russian version of the Baroque. Nevertheless the best construction of the Monastery, The Cathedral of the Metropolitan Peter, by recent data dates back to 1514. This is the real monument of the Italian Renaissance on Russian soil. It is the work of one of the Kremlin constructors, Aloisio the New. The latest constructions of the hermit's dwelling date back to the 17th century and are of the European Baroque style.
It was founded by the Metropolitan Alexiy. The Monastery's construction is also connected with the name of Andrew Rublev, one of the greatest Russian artists of the past. It was he who painted the monastery's cathedral, as well as many of the wall paintings which have mostly been destroyed. Rublev was more than just an artist, but a monk of this monastery, and upon his death was buried here. The Refectory Chamber, built at the beginning of the 16th century, is noteworthy as well.
It was founded in the 15th century and some architectural fragments, such as part of the cathedral and the Italian yard, have been preserved. However it owes its Golden Ageto the 17th century, when it was honored as the family burial place for the Tsar Romanov's dynasty. In the 1620's Patriarch Phylaret, head of the family clan, built his chambers here. This monument has become one of the most significant in Russia. The prominent clergyman, Patriarch Nikon, influenced the atmosphere of this monastery with his aesthetically conservative views. At the time he was Father Superior, the square of huge walls was erected and the cathedral was given its modern outward appearance. The refectory and several churches of different heights are also noteworthy. The majestic and refined belfry fashioned in the Baroque style concludes this memorable ensemble. The loss of the cemetery, much like the aforementioned monasteries, leaves the historic impression of the New Monastery of Our Savior incomplete. The New Maiden Monastery (Novodevychy) is known for its cemetery, which bears the same name. It is located outside the Monastery's walls, and the necropolis itself has been seriously damaged throughout the Soviet era. However damaged, this cemetery is the burial place of such historical figures as Gogol, Vladimir Soloviyev and Daniel Andreev, Skryabin and Shalyapin, Prokofyev and Shostokoviych, Michael Bulgakov, Stanislavsky, Serov, Levitan, Vernadsky and Lebedev, heroes of 1812.
It belongs to the Southern Fortification Chain of Moscow, located just between the Saint Daniel and the New Maiden Monasteries. Here visitors will find two cathedrals: the Small One, built in 1593, and the Tall One, built a century later. Both cathedrals are dedicated to the icon of Saint Virgin of Don, which helped many Russian warriors in their struggle against the troops of the Crimean Khan. The victory over Tartar Khan was so significant for Russian leader Boris Godunov (who later became Tsar), that the Monastery was founded on this former battleground. The refined Church Surmounting the Gates as well as some other buildings belonging to the New Times era complete this ensemble.
It includes the famous historian Klutchevsky, the philosopher Tchaadaev, Trubetskoy, the writers of the Pushkin era, warriors, ascetics and architects. A 19th century traveller could not possibly pass by the marvelous Simonov Monastery. Today, it has sustained a great deal of damage. The buildings that remain are so unique, this Monastery should not be missed. Parts of the walls and towers, the Refectory Chamber of the 16th century and another from the 17th century are among those buildings still standing. The Monastery is situated to the southeast of the downtown area, to the east of the Saint Daniel Monastery and to the south of the New Savior's Monastery.
The World of Russian Country Estate TOP The notion of the Russian country estateis a phenomenon of Russian culture with its own mythology and literature. Inherited like the notion of European castles, country estates found their beginning in the time of romanticism. A time when the gentry was connected with the traditions of the distant past. Life on a Russian country estate was closely linked with nature, agriculture, family and the life of the peasants. The mansion itself, with its whitish portico in the dusk, was always in continuation with the nature surrounding it. It was inseparable from aged parks, lime alleys and cascading ponds with golden fish. The estates included household buildings, mills, schools, infirmaries, churches, horse stables and kennels.
In the evenings they drank wine and played cards, discussed prospects for the harvest, dreamed of reforms, composed poems and epigrams, painted family portraits, died of gluttony, melancholy and love. Yet the fate of the Russian estate is a sad one. Few of them were lucky, most were burned or robbed, few became museums and returned to life. Despite the often sad fate of these estates some of the treasures have managed to survive. Rich is the spiritual background of Michailovskoye, Yasnaya Polyana, Yaropolets, Polotnyany Zavod. The same is true ofKolomenskoye, Tsaritsyno, Kuskovo, Abramtsevo, Archangelskoye, Kuzminki, and Ostankino.
The flourishing of Kolomenskoye estate coincides with the flourishing of the Moscow principality and the Church of the Ascension heralds the birth of the first Russian tsar Ivan the Terrible. It is a masterpiece of Russian art, ranking among the first five architectural monuments of Russia. The great French composer, Hector Berlioz, considered this church to be better than the Cathedrals of Milano and Strasburg. The family estate of Izmailovo was once owned by the Romanovs. Alexy, Peter the Great's father, originally built this estate. The Intercession Church was built, a bridge was constructed to connect the island to the mainland, and a uniquely large estate was established. The first Russian zoo was set up in the Izmailovo forest. It held such creatures as elks, wild boars, bears, foxes, Siberian and American deer. One could also see lions, tigers, English hens, Indian roosters, Chinese geese and other rare birds. This ancient zoo existed for over a hundred years.
The library possesses more than 30,000 books and albums with engravings. The Kuzminki estate was owned by the Golytsins. An Egyptian house and a small pavilion have survived up to the present. The horse yard by architects GiUardi and Stasov is quite famous. Cast iron fences are noteworthy as well. Open work lattices are alternated with sculptures of lions and chandeliers with griffins.
Arkhangelskoe TOP MORE INFORMATION Museum-country estate “Arkhangelskoe” is a remarkable memorial of the Russian art culture of the end of the XVIII — beginning of XlX centuries. It is widely famous for the grand beauty of its Palace and Park ensemble and magnificence of various collections of paintings, drawings, sculpture, decorative applied arts and collection of rare books. Until 1809 the country estate was owned by the princes Golitsin and in 1810 it was bought by the richest Russian grandee, collector and patron, prince N. B. Yusupov (1751 –1831) “for entertainment and not for the profits”. It took more than 50 years to build and decorate the estate, this period is connected with the names of Gern, Trombaro, Pettondi, Gonzago, Bove and others. It flourished in the first third of the XIX century. Built on the bank of Moskva-river the church of Archangel Michael, the core part of the ensemble — a palace with remarkable terraces in the regular part of the park (one of the largest in the world collection of park marble sculptures), landscape park, theatre, built in 1817-1818 under the project of the Italian architect and painter P. Gonzaga, small palace “Caprice” and pavilion “Tea house” have made “Arkhangelskoe” one of the most beautiful places of Moscow Region. In different times the estate was visited by the historian and writer N.M. Karamzin, poets A.S. Pushkin and P.A. Vyazemsky, literators A.I.Gertsen and N.P. Ogarev. Among collections an important place is taken by the collection of paintings with the masterpieces of the greatest Western-European artists of XVIII-first half XIX century. Van Dijk, D.B. Tiepolo, F.Boucher, G.Rober and others. There is an exclusively interesting and varied collection of wares of Yusupovsky china plant in Arkhangelskoe (1820th — 1830th.): decorative plates, tea pairs, sets. The museum collection of sculpture (VII century b.c. – beginning of the XX century) is based on the former Yusupov collection with the most important types and genres of plastic arts. Yusupov collection is proud for its library – the largest among all estates’ libraries. There are more than 16 thousands of volumes of Russian and Western-European authors of the end o the XVI – beginning of the XX century. Travel: metro station Tushinskaya, bus 549 (stop «Arkhangelskoe»); shuttle / taxi 151 (stop «Sanatorium») Telephone/fax: (095) 561-96-60; 363-13-75. |
