The most high tower The Moscow Kremlin is the central vezha of the northwestern section of the wall facing the Alexander Garden. It is called Trinity, it is a travel card and the second most important. The tower is topped with a ruby star, and once upon a time there were chimes hanging on it, like on the Spasskaya Vezha (Old Russian name).
Ancient white stone Kremlin
Even Grand Duke Dmitry Donskoy in 1366-1368 began to replace the wooden walls of the Kremlin. The material from which new fortifications and towers were built was most often light limestone or “white stone,” which was so rich in the central regions of Rus'.
This is where the ancient designation of Moscow comes from - “white stone”. However, this building material turned out to be fragile, and the defensive structures deteriorated. Restoration work was carried out regularly, as there is plenty of evidence in the chronicles. So, in 1462, the Moscow merchant Vasily Dmitrievich Ermolin, who at that time was in charge of all construction work nationwide, carried out a major overhaul of the section of the wall from the Borovitsky Gate to the Sviblova Strelnitsa. To answer the question “which of the towers of the Moscow Kremlin is the tallest,” you need to find out about everything in more detail, including the general reconstruction of the walls and towers, which, despite major repairs, continued to “float.” For this reason, Ivan III the Great, who, by the way, increased the size of the Moscow principality by 6 times, issued a decree in the last third of the 15th century, as a result of which the Moscow Kremlin, its walls and towers underwent a radical reconstruction.
New red brick Kremlin
To achieve his goal, the Grand Duke of Moscow invites famous masters of architecture from Italy, under whose leadership, in 1485, the dismantling of the white stone spindles (the area between the two towers) of the walls and the towers themselves began. Over the course of ten years, new ones were erected on the site of the dismantled defensive structures, this time from baked bricks. During this reconstruction, the area of the Kremlin was increased by annexing a site in the north-west of the fortress. And now it has amounted to 27.5 hectares and has taken the shape of an irregular triangle. This is the current outline of the fortress. The work was supervised by Italians. Therefore, it is not surprising that the upper ends of the walls, decorated with battlements, all the vezhi (Old Russian name), including the tallest tower of the Moscow Kremlin, very much resembled Italian castles - the Scaliger castle in the city of Verona and the Milanese
Towers of the Moscow Fortress
In total, the Moscow Kremlin has 20 towers. The three corner towers - Vodovzvodnaya, Beglemishevskaya and Corner Arsenalnaya - are round in cross-section, while the rest, including the tallest tower of the Moscow Kremlin, are square. The one that stands out from the general ensemble, mostly in the same style, is the one overlooking Red Square, which was blown up by the French in 1812. During the restoration work carried out according to the project of O.I. Bove, it was given a Gothic look and painted white. All vezhas differ from each other in shape and height. So which of them is the tallest? What is it and where is it located? What's her story?
Fryazhsky architects
Aleviz Fryazin (Milanese), who arrived in Moscow in 1494, took part in the general reconstruction of the Kremlin. In 1495, he participated in the construction of the wall and towers along the Stone Chambers, which were also erected under his leadership (1499-1508). In 1508, he built dams on this river, which flowed along the northwestern part of the Kremlin wall. Thanks to them, the water level in the river rose enough to fill the ditch created along the wall overlooking Red Square. It was dug from 1508 to 1516 under the leadership of Milanz. And he also built the northern tallest tower of the Moscow Kremlin.
It should be noted that Fryazin is not a surname, it is a nickname that the Russians gave to all Western specialists who came from Southern Europe. It came from a distorted word “franc”. Because of this, there was often confusion. Aleviz Fryazin the Old, Aleviz Fryazin the Milanese and Aloisio da Caresano (or Carcano) are the same person who built the Trinity Tower, and Bon Fryazin erected the Ivan the Great bell tower. At the same time, Ivan III invites another Aleviz Fryazin to Moscow, but this time the Venetian, or New. They even had a common name - Fryazhsky architects. In addition to the above-mentioned “Fryazins” or “Fryags” invited by Ivan III the Great, there were Marco Ruffo and Pietro Antonio Solari, respectively, Mark and Peter Fryazins.
Kremlin fortifications
So, the tallest tower of the Moscow Kremlin was erected from 1495 to 1499 by Aleviz Fryazin Milanets. And the very first fortification structure of the Kremlin - the Tainitskaya Tower (central in the southern part of the Kremlin wall) - was begun on July 14, 1485. After this, the towers were put into operation almost every year.
The latest - the Tsar's Tower - was erected in 1680. The walls of the Kremlin, including those along the Neglinnaya River, deserve special words. In the center of this segment is the northern tallest tower of the Moscow Kremlin. The total length of the walls is 2235 meters, the height varies from 5 to 19 m. In the walls with a thickness of 3.5 to 6.5 m there was a passage, initially through, but then in some areas filled with garbage.
Unique walls
The towers were located at a certain distance from each other, which could be overcome along a passage laid out on the top of the wall. Its width reached 2 and 4 meters in some places. Outside, it was protected by two-horned teeth, the height of which is 2-2.5 m, and the thickness is 0.65-0.7 m. Total There are 1045 protective teeth located around the perimeter. The archers located on the wall were covered from the courtyard side by a parapet wall. Initially, the passage was covered by a gable canopy, under which one could hide in bad weather, and it also protected the wall itself from the destructive effects of rain and snow. This roof burned down in the 18th century and was never restored.
History of the name
Since the tallest tower of the Moscow Kremlin is called Trinity, it is necessary to find out why it was given such a name, especially since it was originally called Epiphany, then Rizpolozhenskaya, later Znamenskaya and Kuretnaya, and it received its current name only in 1658 by decree of Tsar Alexei Mikhailovich in connections with the Trinity Metochion located on the territory of the Kremlin. Previous names were associated with the Kremlin churches and the nearby royal carriage house.
The most original
The Kremlin (photo attached) has the following parameters: from the side of the Alexander Garden, built where the Neglinnaya River used to be, taken into a pipe, the height of the tower is 80 meters with the star, without it - 76.35, on the inside - 69.3, respectively and 65.65 m. This tower is a travel pass. From the moment of its foundation until the end of the 17th century, its gates were considered second in importance after Spassky.
They served for travel to the courts of queens, princesses and the patriarch. In 1516, a bridge was thrown from the Trinity Tower across the Neglinnaya River, which ended with a diversion archer or barbican, called in this case. This fortification served primarily for additional protection of the gate. This is the only surviving bridge tower of the Kremlin. The Trinity Bridge leading from it, according to some experts in the history of Moscow, was erected on the site of the capital’s first stone structure of this kind, built back in the 14th century.
Second in importance
What is the tallest tower of the Moscow Kremlin and why not the main one, Spasskaya? Obviously, at some point in Soviet history, the Trinity Gate added significance to the fact that it was through them that V. I. Lenin arrived in the Kremlin on March 12, 1918. Napoleon entered here through the Trinity Gate, and through it he fled from the Kremlin. The kings returning in victory also entered through the Trinity Bridge, then they were solemnly escorted to the Spassky Gate. Initially, the tallest tower of the Moscow Kremlin (photo attached) played a significant role in the history of all of Moscow. It is the highest, but not the main one because it does not overlook Red Square.
Similarities and differences
With the completion of the construction of this tower, work was completed on the creation of defensive structures of the entire northwestern section of the wall - from this side the Kremlin became impregnable. The huge tower at the top ended with battlements, the wooden tent had a hipped roof. According to documents from 1585, this tower had chimes, which made it similar to Spasskaya. In addition, double-headed eagles were installed on both, and on Troitskaya the coat of arms of Russia was more ancient, assembled from several parts secured with bolts. And when in 1685 a multi-tiered top and a high stone tent, white turrets, and other white stone decorations were added, the resemblance to the main Spasskaya Tower became very great. And a year later, new chimes were hung (when they burned down in the Moscow fire of 1812, they were never restored).
Elements of church architecture
To the question of which of the towers of the Moscow Kremlin is the tallest, one can answer: the one that is crowned with a quadrangle and an octagon with an end-to-end guard part. What does it mean? The term "octagon on quadrangle" is a type of architectural composition, mainly for church buildings. An octagonal or octagonal configuration floor stands on a tetrahedral, wider base. Such a composition seemed to be directed towards the heavens, which gave the building dynamism; it was, in turn, a striking feature of the Moscow Baroque. In the churches of noble estates, a bell was placed in an octagon; naturally, it was not glazed and could be seen through. the upper tiers of which were built according to this type, looked very beautiful from the side of the current Alexander Garden. This was facilitated by the fact that various turrets and pinnacles were placed in the corners and on the archery. Some of them were removed when the loopholes were expanded in 1707 due to the looming threat of a Swedish invasion. Part - when moving into the Trinity Tower of the archive of the Ministry of the Imperial Court. It was even rebuilt for expansion.
Huge, eight-story
The tallest Kremlin tower in Moscow has six above-ground and two underground floors. Deep basements originally served defensive and military purposes. Then, in the 16th-17th centuries, these basements were turned into a prison. These deep underground floors themselves were discovered in 1851. Throughout its existence, Trinity Tower was used in various ways. There was an archive of the Imperial Court here until 1895, and now it houses the Presidential Orchestra.
Kremlin stars
In addition, the tallest Kremlin tower in Moscow is one of five topped with stars. Borovitskaya and Spasskaya, Nikolskaya and Vodovzvodnaya are four more towers on which the coats of arms of Imperial Russia were replaced by stars. In accordance with the coats of arms, you can also ask a question that is very appropriate in a quiz: “Which of the towers of the Moscow Kremlin is the tallest?” The answer will be this: the one on which the oldest double-headed eagle stood until 1935 (the time of erection was 1830). The “youngest” (1912) was located on Spasskaya. He was the first to be replaced with a star. The first stars were gilded semi-precious and very heavy - weighing up to a ton. Therefore, the roofs of the Spasskaya, Troitskaya and Borovetskaya towers were previously strengthened. However, the semi-precious stars dimmed very quickly, and in 1937 they decided to replace them with luminous stars made of ruby glass.
The uniqueness of the Kremlin towers
How else can you answer the question of what is the tallest tower of the Moscow Kremlin? If you look at the plan diagram, you can see that it is the 15th tower from Spasskaya Vezha (numbering goes counterclockwise) that is the highest - Troitskaya, the bridge extends from it alone.
Each of the 20 towers of the Moscow Kremlin is unique, has its own history, and one article is not enough to describe them at least superficially.
Of the five passage gates of the Kremlin that connected it with the posad, the main ones were Spassky. This was the front gate of the Kremlin. In the old days they were called “saints”, and they were highly revered by the people.
Great princes and tsars entered the Kremlin through these gates and went to Red Square to Lobnoye Mesto for the reading of state charters; Foreign ambassadors and envoys with a large retinue arrived through them, and from the 18th century until the October Revolution, Russian emperors solemnly entered. On the days of major church holidays, a ceremonial procession of the highest clergy took place through the Spassky Gate to Red Square to the Execution Place and St. Basil's Cathedral, and religious processions were held. It was not allowed to pass through the Spassky Gate with a covered head or to ride a horse; Even the kings, approaching the gate, dismounted and walked on foot, taking off their hats.
The Spassky Gate has not lost its dominant role even today. They are still the front gates of the Kremlin. Through them, every year on the holiday of the Great October Socialist Revolution, the commander of the country's Armed Forces goes to take part in a military parade on Red Square, and through them the changing of the guard of honor at the Lenin Mausoleum takes place on Red Square.
Until 1658, the Spasskaya Tower was called the Frolovskaya Strelnitsa, as is believed, after the Church of Frol and Lavra, which was located on the outskirts not far from the tower. In 1658, by royal decree, it was renamed Spasskaya - in the image of the Savior of Smolensk, written above the gate of the diversion archer from Red Square, in memory of the liberation of the city of Smolensk by Russian troops. This ancient fresco is still preserved under a special protective layer in a white stone frame above the tower gate.
The Nikolskaya Tower with a passage gate was named in ancient times after the icon of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker, placed in a white stone frame above the gate of the diversion arch from the side of Red Square. This ancient image in a white stone frame has also survived to this day.
The name of the tower was also associated with Nikolskaya Street, extending from the tower in a northern direction (now 25 October Street), on which there was a monastery with the Church of St. Nicholas the Old (on the site of the current building of the Historical and Archival Institute). Through the Nikolsky Gate we drove to the Kremlin to the boyar and monastic farmsteads that occupied the north-eastern part of the Kremlin.
The name of the Trinity Gate is associated with the Trinity Compound located in the Kremlin nearby. Until the 17th century, the gate, like the tower, was called either Kuretny, or Rizpolozhensky, or Znamensky, or Epiphany. The name Troitsky has stuck to them since 1658. These gates served as passage to the patriarchal court and the women's half of the royal palace, the mansions of queens and princesses.
All economic supplies to the Kremlin and entrance to the Grand Duke's courtyard were carried out through the Borovitsky Gate. Near them was the Grand Duke's courtyard, and near the Kremlin wall, facing the Neglinnaya River, there were aft, living and stable courtyards. In the 17th century, the tower was renamed Predtechenskaya, but this name did not stick with it.
The Tainitskaya Tower on the banks of the Moscow River and the gates in it received their name from the hiding-well that was in the tower. The tower gates were used only for travel to the Moscow River and the procession for the blessing of the water.
In the 70s of the 18th century, the Taynitskaya Tower was dismantled in connection with the construction of the Grand Kremlin Palace, designed by V.I. Bazhenov. After construction was stopped, the tower was rebuilt, but without the outlet archer. In 1862, according to the design of the artist A. S. Campioni, a diverting archer was attached to the tower, ending with battlements and a special platform inside, on which guns for firing at holidays. In 1930, the archer was dismantled and the gates were blocked. The gate arch, covered with bricks, is still clearly visible on the facade of the tower from the Moscow River.
The name of the Konstantin-Eleninsky tower and the passage gate in it is associated with the Church of Constantine and Helen, located in the Kremlin not far from the tower. Previously, the gate was called Timofeevsky - named after the governor Dmitry Donskoy. In the 17th century the gates were blocked. The tower and outlet archer began to be used as a prison. In the 15th-3rd century, the diversion arrow was dismantled, and subsequently, during the planning of the Vasilievsky descent to the Moscow River, both the ditch in front of the tower and the lower part of the tower with the gate were filled in. The upper part of the gate arch with a niche for the gate icon is still visible on the façade of the tower.
The remaining towers of the Kremlin were blind, that is, impassable, and their names sometimes changed depending on their purpose, use, and the buildings that appeared behind them in the Kremlin. For example, the Alarm Tower received its name from the alarm bell that was placed on it until 1771. Despite the fact that the bell on the tower is long gone, the name has been preserved. The Beklemishevskaya Tower, the name of which goes back to ancient times, is sometimes now called Moskvoretskaya, since next to it is the Moskvoretsky Bridge across the Moskva River. The Petrovskaya Tower received its name in the 18th century from the Church of Metropolitan Peter, which was moved to the tower after the abolition of the courtyard of the Ugreshsky Monastery, located in the Kremlin.
The name of the Annunciation Tower is associated with the icon of the Annunciation placed on it, as well as with the Church of the Annunciation.
The Armory Tower is so named because of its proximity to the Armory Chamber. Before the construction of the chamber in the 19th century, it was called Konyushennaya - from the royal Konyushennaya yard, located near the tower. The Commandant's Tower got its name in the 19th century, when the commandant lived in the Poteshny Palace behind the tower. Before that, it was called Kolymazhnaya - after the Kolymazhnaya yard, where carts, carriages and rattles were stored.
After the construction of the Arsenal building in the Kremlin in the 18th century, the Corner Dog Tower began to be called the Corner Arsenal Tower, and the Faceted Tower - the Middle Arsenal Tower. In the same century, the Senate Tower also received its name. The 1st and 2nd Nameless Towers remained without a name.
The Tsar's Tower was built in 1680 on the site of a wooden turret on which the Spassky Alarm bell hung. According to legend, from this wooden tower Ivan the Terrible watched various ceremonies taking place at the Execution Ground and at St. Basil's Cathedral.
The name of the passage bridgehead tower Kutafya still remains a mystery. In the old days it was called the Borisoglebskaya, Vladimirskaya and Patriarchal Gates, but these names did not stick with it. This tower closes the Trinity Bridge and is located outside the Kremlin. In ancient times, it was surrounded by a water ditch and had gates on the sides for access to the bridge. Drawbridges spanned the moat from the tower gates. In 1780, due to its dilapidation, the brick vault covering it was dismantled, a direct passage through the tower to the Trinity Bridge was built, and the side gates were blocked. During the restoration of the tower in 1975, the side passages were opened.
The Annunciation Tower is named after the miraculous icon that was kept in it. Later a church was built for the icon, but the name remained.
The Vodovzvodnaya Tower is a corner tower and is so named because there was once a machine here that pumped water from the river and delivered it through lead pipes to royal palace Kremlin.
In the 17th century, the car was dismantled and transported to St. Petersburg to install fountains. The height of the tower is 61.45 m.
Armory and Commandant towers
Once upon a time, the Armory Tower stood on the banks of the Neglinka, but then the river was “chained” into a pipe underground. The building owes its name to the Armory Chamber built nearby, where weapons and jewelry workshops were once located. Now it houses a museum, which displays unique military and jewelry exhibits from antiquity. The height of the structure is 32.65 m.
The commandant's tower was erected in 1495, but received its modern name only in the 19th century, when the commandant of the fortress moved to the nearby
Trinity, Kutafya and Petrovskaya towers
The Kremlin has so many towers, almost all of them were rebuilt by Italian craftsmen in the 15th century. So Trinity was built by Aloisio da Carezano in 1495-1499. This is the tallest building in the Kremlin. Its height is 80 m, including the spire and the star crowning it. The building received its name from the nearby Trinity Church.
It is interesting to know: at one time this building bore different names, for example Rizopolozhenskaya, Karetnaya or Znamenskaya, until in 1658 it received its current name. There was once a prison at its two-story base. Until 1935, its spire was crowned with a royal eagle, which was replaced with a ruby star for the next anniversary of the revolution.
The Spasskaya Tower was built on the site of the former main gate of the Kremlin. An icon of the Savior was installed above the passage, and the entrance itself was considered holy by the people; one had to enter it on foot with his head uncovered. Nowadays, the famous chimes are installed on it.
Other Kremlin towers
The First and Second Nameless Towers were of exceptional strategic importance, for example, one of them had a powder magazine.
Indeed it was equipped with a bell and observation deck, where the archers were on duty. In the 18th century, the ringing of a bell began a riot in the city, and when it was suppressed, they deprived the “culprit” of his language. The bell hung silently until it was sent to the museum.
The Tsar's Tower can hardly be called a tower, since it is simply a tent-roofed superstructure, where Ivan the Terrible liked to come to look at the city.
The Konstantino-Eleninskaya Tower was also named after the church of the same name. It was built in 1490 and is famous for the fact that it was through it that Russian soldiers went to war, for example Dmitry Donskoy with his army.
That's how many towers decorate the Moscow Kremlin today.
Has 20 towers. The list of towers is compiled starting from the south-eastern corner of the Kremlin wall, counterclockwise. Many Moscow Kremlin towers, in addition to the modern name indicated first, they also have a second name, which is usually more ancient.
Southeast corner
Beklemishevskaya (Moskvoretskaya) tower Moscow Kremlin.Konstantino-Eleninskaya (Timofeevskaya) tower Moscow Kremlin.
Built in 1492 by Pietro Antonio Solari. Round, most powerful tower Kremlin. The first name was received at the beginning of the 18th century after the construction of the Arsenal building on the territory of the Kremlin, the second comes from the estate of the Sobakin boyars located nearby. There is a well inside the tower. The height of the tower is 60.2 meters.
Western Wall
Along the western wall of the Kremlin, on the site of the Neglinnaya River, which was removed underground, the Alexander Garden is laid out.
Built in 1493-1495. The name comes from the Arsenal building. The height of the tower is 38.9 meters.
Trinity Tower Moscow Kremlin.
Vodovzvodnaya (Sviblova) tower. Built in 1488 by Italian architect Anton Fryazin (Antonio Gilardi). Round. A well and a secret passage to the Moscow River were built in the tower. The first name comes from a lifting machine installed in the tower in 1633 that supplied water to the Kremlin gardens. The second name of the tower is associated with the boyar family Sviblo, or Sviblovs, who were responsible for its construction. The tower is topped with a red star. The height of the tower is 61.25 meters.
The Spasskaya Tower is considered the most beautiful and slender tower. Built in 1491 under the leadership of the architect Pietro Antonio Solari, it marked the beginning of the construction of the eastern line of the Kremlin fortification. The Spassky Gate has always been the main front entrance. When built, the tower was quadrangular and twice as low. In the 17th century, a beautiful drawbridge on arches approached the gate, on which there was brisk trade. The façade still contains holes from the chains used to raise and lower the bridge. In 1624-25, architects Bazhen Ogurtsov and an English master erected a multi-tiered top on the tower and built a stone tent. This tent was the first on the Kremlin towers. But not only a tent was erected on the tower, the bottom was completed with a lacy white stone arched belt, turrets and pyramids. Fantastic figures (“booties”) appeared. In the 50s of the 17th century, the coat of arms of the Russian Empire - a double-headed eagle - was placed on the top of the tent. Later, the same coats of arms were installed on the Nikolskaya, Troitskaya and Borovitskaya towers. In 1935, a five-pointed star was installed on the top of the Spasskaya Tower. Later it was replaced by a new one (3.75 meters). The star rotates in the wind like a weather vane, and a 5,000-watt lamp burns inside. Initially, the tower was called Frolovskaya, since the Church of Flora and Lavra was located nearby. April 16, 1658 by decree of Alexei Mikhailovich. The new name is associated with the icon of the Savior Not Made by Hands. The Senate Tower is 67.3 meters high (with a star - 71 meters). The first watches appeared in 1491, new watches were created in 1625 by the English master Christian Galovey, the Russian blacksmith Zhdan and Samoilov. Later, in 1706-1975, a Dutch clock was installed. The Kremlin chimes were installed in 1851 by the Butenop brothers.
photos around the Kremlin
Tsar's Tower
Built in 1680. It is a mansion placed on the wall. Once upon a time there was a small wooden tower from which Tsar Ivan the Terrible loved to watch Red Square. White stone belts on the pillars, high pyramids in the corners with gilded flags, a tent ending with a weather vane - all this gives the tower the appearance of a fairy-tale mansion.
The blind Alarm Tower was erected in 1495 in the northwestern wall of the Moscow Kremlin between two others - the Tsarskaya and Konstantino-Eleninskaya towers. Inside it is divided into two tiers. Its lower tier is a complex multi-chamber room connected to the running part of the walls by stairs. In 1676-1686, a hipped tetrahedral top was added.
Built by the architect Solari in 1940, on the site of the Timofeevsky Gate. Named after the Church of Constantine and Helena. At first the tower was a passage tower and had a drawbridge. In 1680, a tent roof was built. At the end of the 18th century, the bridge was broken and the gates were blocked. Even now the arch of the gate and the recess for the icons are clearly visible. Height 36.8 meters.
Located in the southeast corner. Built by the architect Mark Ruffo in 1487. In defense of the Kremlin, it took on the blow of enemy hordes. The architectural solution of the tower: a tall, slender cylinder placed on a plinth. A hearing cache was built in the basement to prevent undermining. In the seventeenth century a tent was erected. This tower has another name - Moskvoretskaya, because of the Moskvoretsky Bridge. The height of the tower is 46.2 meters.
The name of this tower comes from Peter's Church. The tower was destroyed by shells in 1612. In 1812, the tower was blown up by the retreating French. It was restored by the architect Beauvais. In 1818 it served the needs of Kremlin gardeners. The height of the tower is 27.15 meters.
First Nameless Tower
It was built in 1480. This tower has very sparse architectural forms. In the 15th and 16th centuries, gunpowder was stored in the tower. In 1547, a gunpowder explosion occurred in the tower. It was re-erected in the 17th century. They built a tent. Height - 34.15 meters.
Second Nameless Tower
The tower was built in the 15th century. It served only a defensive function. In 1680, a pyramidal tent with an observation tower was built above the tower. The tent is topped with a gilded weather vane.
Tainitskaya Tower is the oldest of the Kremlin towers. The name comes from the cache, which is located under the tower. Built in 1485 by architect P. A. Fryazin. At the end of the 17th century a tent was erected. In 1770 the tower was demolished, but three years later it was rebuilt. The height of the tower is 38.4 meters.
Annunciation Tower
Built 8 1487-88. Low, tetrahedral tower. At its base lies a white stone slab. During the time of Ivan the Terrible, there was a prison in the tower. At the end of the 17th century, a tent topped with a golden weather vane and a watchtower were erected. The name of the tower comes from the Annunciation icon and the church. In the depths of the tower there was a deep underground. The height of the tower is 30.7 meters, with a weather vane - 32.45 meters.
The tower is located in the southwestern corner of the Kremlin. The tower guards the Kremlin. The Vodovzvodnaya Tower is one of the most beautiful towers of the Kremlin ensemble. Built in 1488 by the architect Gilardi. At first it was called Sviblovaya. Modern name appeared in 1633, since this tower housed a water-lifting machine. The tower itself was built in a classical style. The tower is completed by battlements. At the end of the 17th century, a tent was built over the tower.
The tower has a stepped shape. It got its name from the forest that used to cover the entire hill. Built in 1490 by the architect Solari. On April 16, 1658 it was renamed Predtechenskaya. But it has reached us like the Borovitskaya Tower. The Borovitsky Gate had a utilitarian purpose. In 1812, the top of her tent fell. The restoration was carried out by Beauvais in 1816-19.
Weapon Tower
It is a small, austere, dull building. Built in 1945. At first it was called Kolymazhnaya, since the Kolymazhny yard was located nearby. It received its current name in the 19th century because the commandant of Moscow lived next to the tower. In 1676-86 a tent and a tower were erected. The height of the tower is 41.25 meters.
Trinity Tower
This tower completed the construction of fortifications on the side of the Neglinnaya River. Built in 1495-1499 by Aleviz Fryazin. It has six floors, deep two-story basements. A clock was installed on the tower in 1585, but it burned down in 1812. Recently a new clock was installed on the tower. The name comes from the Trinity Metochion in the Kremlin. Before that, it was called Epiphany, Kuretnaya, Znamenskaya. This tower, topped with a star, is the tallest of all. Its height is 80 meters.
The only surviving bridgehead tower. Built in 1516 by architect Fryazin. Low, surrounded by a moat and a river, it has two tiers and a gate. In 1685, an openwork decorative top was added. One version of the name is as follows: because of its strange shape it was called Kutafya. (Kutafya is a clumsy, ugly dressed woman.)
Middle Arsenal Tower
Located in the north-west of the Kremlin. Built in 1495. It received its name during the construction of the Arsenal. The tower is crowned with a through observation tower. In 1812, a grotto was built at the foot of the tower in honor of the victory over Napoleon.
Corner Arsenal Tower
