Moscow Kremlin: Inside Those Red Walls

There are many kremlins - Eurasian style fortress complexes across the country of Russia. However, when most people talk about "The Kremlin", they automatically make association to the Russian government, which occupies the grounds of Moscow Kremlin.

Moscow Kremlin from the Moskva River

In fact, Moscow Kremlin isn't even the only Kremlin in Moscow. Many tourists also visit the "Izmaylovsky Kremlin"- today mostly a souvenir market located in the outskirts of Moscow.  However, its sheer size and national importance often makes the one overlooking the Red Square the "One Stop" that will satisfy majority of people's curiosity about this type of Russian architecture. Hey, when was the last time you hear Ronald Reagan mentioning the term "Kremlin", he was actually referring to that souvenir market or the one in Kazan, Tartarstan (nonetheless, it's a tremendously beautiful one)?

 The Moscow Kremlin has several different entrances, including one right below the famous Spasskaya clock tower, which is normally reserved for the Presidential motorcade. Visitors enters the complex through the one next to Alexander's Garden, right underneath the Troitskaya Tower.  Passing through the Kremlin guards and the gate, the first major building people see is the State Kremlin Palace. Originally constructed under Khrushchev, the State Kremlin Palace was designed to host the congressional meetings of the Soviet Communist Party. Today, it is simply a conference center and a venue where artists like Vitas and Leonard Cohen performed while in Moscow.

Entrance at Troitskaya Tower

A Kremlin Guard

The modern State Kremlin Palace posts a sharp contrast to every single other building within the Kremlin complex, which were all built in the classic Russian style. This contrast is best shown by just looking right across the street towards the State Senate Building. This building can be seen from Red Square over the red walls behind Lenin's Mausoleum, and is the working office of the Russian President (Although the current president Vladimir Putin resides and works mostly at a residence in the suburb of Moscow). 

State Kremlin Palace: Built in the Soviet style, now featuring the Double Headed Eagle emblem

State Senate Building: The Official Working Office of the Russian President

The flag pole on top of the State Senate Building normally is a good indication of whether the President is in Moscow or not: You will see the gold embroidered double headed eagle flag flying if the President is in office. Otherwise, he might be attending international summits somewhere or visiting a foreign state. Many western audience recognizes the pole from a live broadcast on December 25th, 1991, when the Soviet flag was lowered from this very pole for the last time. Moments later, the modern Russia flag was risen for the very first time. 

Guarded State Senate Building

A Kremlin Guard

Further inside, people will pass by several giant cannons. You can say that cannons played such an important role in forging the Russian identity. If someone told me that the first satellite or human was launched by a giant Russian cannon, I wouldn't be surprised. The largest of them all is the Tsar's Cannon - still the largest cannon ever made in human history since the 16th century. Yes, it's located right inside the Moscow Kremlin.

Tsar's Cannon: World's largest cannon

Behind the Cannons, you will find the Kremlin's historic church complex. The most famous landmark of them all is Ivan the Great Bell Tower. For nearly 3 centuries, it was the tallest structure in the city of Moscow, which was purposely made that way until the construction of an even bigger church (Cathedral of Christ the Saviour). The French claimed to have seen it. The Germans claimed to have seen it. It today, still is, the most visible structure inside Russia's beating heart. 

Historic church complex inside the Moscow Kremlin

Ivan the Great Bell Tower: Once the tallest structure in Moscow

Leaving the historic church complex, most visitors will stop in front of the Great Kremlin Palace before exiting the Moscow Kremlin. While mostly a ceremonial ground for state events and nominally serve as the Official Residence of the Russian President, the Great Kremlin Palace is a masterpiece of Russian architecture. It also serves as the facade of the Moscow Kremlin complex if one looks from across the Moskva River. Visitors can only visit certain sections of the building with appointment/ hard to get tickets, such as the armory and the Imperial jewelry collection of the Russian Tsars. 

The Great Kremlin Palace

Warning sign

The Great Kremlin Palace and Ivan the Great Bell Tower from Moskva River

Once passing through the Borovitskaya Tower exit, visitors will return back to Alexander Garden. The most impressive feature just outside of Kremlin's tall, red walls is the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Every year, citizens and politicians alike pay visit to this monument, remembering those who died during World War Two defending the motherland. Across towns in former Soviet Union, you will find eternal fire monuments standing in the center of the town. In Moscow, you will find the same right by the wall of Kremlin, except it's the most recognizable one in the world.

Eternal fire at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier

A Kremlin Guard

While most of the Moscow Kremlin is off the limits to regular visitors, the areas that are open to the public are well worth a visit. The complex itself presents an amazing masterpiece of Russian architecture and the epitome of all kremlins across Russia. No, you probably won't get to see President Putin; but Yes, it will still leave you in awe.

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