Wednesday, July 15, 2015

Moscow 4 - Within the Kremlin Walls



Once again I found myself in a long queue , actually two queues- one to buy a ticket , the other at the security checkpoint.

I knew touring the Kremlin ( Moscow's fortified complex overlooking the Red Square and the Moskva River) could be a matter of several hours and there was no place there to buy food or a drink, so I carried with me a bag containing a snack, some fruit and a bottle of water. The young man at the checking point wanted me, for some reason, to get rid of the bottle. It seemed crazy. I went to another checker who let me in without any problem.   

After entering the gates of the Kremlin  one gets into an  atmosphere heavily dominated by the great russian  spirit, history, architecture, religion, wealth.

                                                     entering the Kremlin

The Kremlin grounds, surrounded by red walls and towers are well kept, with  a lot of pathways and gardens. There are five cathedrals, a huge bell (that never rang), a big cannon (that never fired), the headquarters of the President of Russia and his administration (not open to public), several museums.. .



                                                           walls and towers

I particularly liked the Cathedral Square with people going in and out of the churches, standing outside, chatting and taking pictures ( no photography inside). From the  pathway adjacent to the square, there's a good view of the Moskova river .





the cathedral square
Russian czars were crowned in the Assumption Cathedral  and burried in the Archangel Cathedral.  

The Archangel Cathedral has more than fifty royal graves, including that of Ivan the Terrible  &two sons, and those of the Romanov dynasty members.                                            

For many people, the highlight of the Kremlin tour is a visit to the 'armory'- the rooms that house the treasures of the czars. It is not allowed to take pictures inside , and words cannot do justice to what the eyes see there: superb royal carriages, items in gold, silver and precious gems given as presents by foreigners to the czars, coronation gowns, thrones, and then the jewelery chamber (the Diamond Fund for which one needs a separate ticket and going through security check).


                             heading to the armory entrance under sudden rain drops

When you see the treasures of the czars it's easy to understand the meaning of revolution. People were starving, and the czars were accumulating  exorbitant riches. The clash had to come sooner or later.

15 comments:

  1. It was nice seeing the Kremlin through your eyes, Duta. I shall never visit the place, but it will always seem familiar now I have seen your photos and read your descriptions.

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  2. Hi Vera,

    'Never say never'. Thanks for reading my post. I'm always glad to get your comment.

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  3. Nicely done Duta and second what Vera says.

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  4. One Fly,

    Thank you. It always gives me pleasure when people read my post and leave a nice word, as you've just done.

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  5. I would love to see it myself!

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  6. OLA,

    I believe you. By the way, tickets to the various attractions can be ordered online, so no need to stand in line. I was afraid not to mess things up because of language barrier, so I preferred to go there in person.

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  7. OH Duta, I want to go again. Too late I am 79 and can't walk well. Glad you are doing it for me. I never got inside the Kremlin, the president was there and it was blocked off. I was there with husband, and a team of Attorneys. They were there for human rights. Got lots of double talk. Moscow was intimidating to me the first few days. Clean subways. Loved that trip. Be well and thanks for sharing, wish I had seen the Armory.
    yvonne

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  8. You go again, Yvonne! It's not too late. You don't have to cover the whole area, just a few selected spots like the Armory which houses the royal treasures, and the Archangel Catedral which houses the vaults of the czars.

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  9. It was such a difficult period in time. The rich are still getting richer. Beautiful photos. My brother visited with our high school in the 70s!

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  10. Jennifer A. Jilks,

    Thanks for finding the time to read and comment on my posts.
    " The rich are still getting richer...". Well that's something that always puts the world in danger. Nations should constantly strive to achieve a solid balance to avoid unrest which could lead to revolution and war.

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  11. What a beautiful place, rich in history! I love the gold on top. Glad you got to take this trip and thrilled you are letting us join you!

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  12. It's beautiful to see the whole Kremlin through you eyes & camera!
    The phothographs almost 'ooze' history in such a historic place. :)

    I dislike Aristrocracy... all that pomp & splendour, while their subjects live lousy lives. (I wish there was no money & people would help each other regardless of religion & skin colour... I'm a dreamer I gues.)

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  13. Pink Panthress,

    There's a splendid Royal Palace there, but it was closed to public. It serves to host grand political and cultural events.
    As I said, no wonder the big revolutions started in Russia. The gap between the rich and the poor were just unconceivable.

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  14. Nel,

    "rich in history" indeed. Thank you for your kind words; glad you could join me.

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  15. Duta, thank you for sharing your lovely travel diary.
    Have a great week ahead :)

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