Home to the President of the Russian Federation, the Kremlin was always a bit of mystery to me. Seen in movies, it always appeared to be a forbidden destination. Now I know it is pretty easy to get a tour of the Kremlin.
As our free Moscow city tour earlier in the day came to an end, or guide told us there were still spots available on her afternoon tour of the Kremlin. In reality, there were plenty of spots and our tour ended up being only the four of us and three people from Brazil.
The historic fortified complex feels even bigger once inside than it did from the street. It is located in the heart of Moscow, overlooking the Moskva River (to the south), Saint Basil’s Cathedral, and Red Square (to the east) and the Alexander Garden (to the west).
Aside from the president, the Kremlin is home to four palaces, four cathedrals, several towers and a few other buildings.
On our way into the Kremlin.
The sun was hitting the crosses just right on the top of this church which is one of the many churches inside the complex.
The Tsar cannon is the world’s largest cannon and has never been fired, but had been used to intimidate.
Nearby the cannon was the world’s largest bell – also never rung as it has always been cracked since it was cast (which took 3 years).
The girls and I in front of Moscow Cathedral of the Assumption, another one of the churches inside the Kremlin walls.
These copulas are on top of the church inside the residence – an area of the Kremlin we could not go.
Learn more at Wikipedia
Have you been in the Kremlin? Did you know it was so large? Would you tour it if you had the opportunity?
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All photos on this page © Rhonda Albom 2012
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We never thought we’d be interested in visiting Russia but in recent years it’s fallen on our list and steadily climbed. For sure, would love to see the Kremlin – look’s beautiful!
Frank (bbqboy)
I was so enthusiastic about visiting Russia. We only saw Moscow, which was our mistake. Getting the visa was such a drama, I don’t think I will go back.
Wow it looks amazing.
The Kremlin and all of Moscow – amazing. I do hope you get to visit some day.
Love the photos looks beautiful there 🙂
ps> That last one looks almost phallic lol
Steve, you are so naughty 🙂
Your comments always make me smile. Thanks.
The place is wonderful. I can’t imagine how big those cannon and bell are. Maybe, if the bell was rung right at that position, oh gosh, you would suffer from a very severe deafness. Oh my imagination. Would love to go there too some time! 🙂
The bell has a huge crack and broken piece on the other side, so it could never be rung. But if it could, I am sure you are right deafness would follow.
I’m sure the cannon was intimidating. My grandfather left Russia to escape the Tsar.
So many people did.
Good luck and be safe! I just hope i can visit this place someday too.. Thanks for the photos as well..
Thanks, and thanks for stopping by!
I would love to visit here indeed. How fabulous.
Have a terrific trip. 🙂
If you do get to Moscow, be sure to book a tour to the Kremlin, it cuts the several hour queue – at least that’s what they told us. To be honest, I never saw a queue for anything but Lennon’s tomb.