{"id":667491,"date":"2022-03-01T13:22:00","date_gmt":"2022-03-01T10:22:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/tourism.com.de\/?p=667491"},"modified":"2024-01-30T15:01:24","modified_gmt":"2024-01-30T13:01:24","slug":"belfry-of-ivan-the-great-moscow-kremlin-history-photo-description-how-to-get-there-map","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/tourism.com.de\/en\/belfry-of-ivan-the-great-moscow-kremlin-history-photo-description-how-to-get-there-map\/","title":{"rendered":"Belfry of Ivan the Great Moscow Kremlin – history, photo, description, how to get there, map"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Ivan the Great Bell Tower of the Moscow Kremlin<\/a> is the center of the architectural ensemble of Cathedral Square. The belfry forms a single composition together with the Filaretovsky annex and the church. Until the beginning of the 20th century the tower was the tallest building in the capital. The building served a number of important functions. It was used as a watchtower and a fire tower. Currently, the bell tower is a tour<\/a>ist attraction.<\/p>\n

Church of St. John of the Ladder<\/h2>\n

\"Belfry<\/a><\/p>\n

The foundation of the bell tower was laid on the site of the bell tower that existed in the 14th-15th centuries. Church of John of the Ladder. The ancient church was erected specifically for the bells. In appearance, it resembled ancient Armenian cathedrals. The interior space was divided into parts crosswise. Outside, the building had the shape of an octahedron.<\/p>\n

The altar part was located in a semicircular apse, oriented to the east. A place was allotted for the bells on the 2nd tier of the church. The area adjoining the cathedral was dubbed Ivanovskaya. It proclaimed the decrees of the king and read other important state documents. Heralds had to shout loudly, “in all Ivanovo.” At the beginning of the 16th century, it was decided to dismantle the church of John of the Ladder, and build a bell tower in its place, in memory of the deceased Moscow<\/a> prince Ivan III “The Great”.<\/p>\n

The history<\/a> of the construction of the Belfry<\/h2>\n

\"Belfry<\/a><\/p>\n

Foreign architects were invited to supervise the construction, unprecedented in Russia<\/a> in terms of the height of the structure. The project was headed by a native of the Apennine Peninsula, the architect Bon Fryazin. The work continued for 3 years (1505-1508). In order to ensure reliable fastening of the tower, Fryazin ordered oak piles to be driven into its base. Oak wood under the influence of groundwater acquires tremendous strength and securely holds the entire structure. At the same time, the depth of the foundation is no more than 4.3-4.5 meters.<\/p>\n

In addition, the architect skillfully used other ways to stabilize the structure:<\/p>\n

Initially, the plan provided for the creation of a 2-tier building. However, in 1532 it was decided to expand the architectural ensemble, at the expense of the Resurrection Church and the bell tower. The construction work was entrusted to the Italian Peter Francesco Anibale, known in Russia under the nickname Petrok Malaya Fryazin. He added a third tier to the tower, on which a giant bell weighing approx. 1.5 tons. The giant had his own name “Annunciation”. To climb inside the walls, a ladder was made.<\/p>\n

The total height of the tower was 81 m. It acquired strategic importance, since the outskirts of the capital were visible from the upper platform (at a distance of 30-40 km). To keep the view open, by order of Boris Godunov, it was forbidden to erect buildings in Moscow<\/a> larger than the bell tower of Ivan the Great. The upper decorative superstructure was surrounded by gilded letters. The inscription says that the work on the improvement of the temple was carried out according to the order of Boris Godunov and his son Fyodor.<\/p>\n

The first tsar from the Romanov dynasty, Mikhail Fedorovich, ordered to remake the Church of the Resurrection into the Assumption Belfry. An outbuilding was also attached to the temple, which began to be called by the name of Patriarch Filaret.<\/p>\n

In the completed version, the architectural ensemble combines 3 parts:<\/p>\n

Despite its height, the bell tower visually seems light and slender. A similar effect is achieved by gradually narrowing the tiers. The upper part ends with a rounded drum, above which rises a bulbous gilded dome. Stone kokoshniks with pseudo-window openings act as decorative architectural elements.<\/p>\n

During the construction of the building, different building materials were used:<\/p>\n

The fate of the temple of Ivan the Great during the war with Napoleon<\/h3>\n

\"Belfry<\/a><\/p>\n

After the capture of the Russian capital by Napoleonic troops, the headquarters of General Loriston was located in the bell tower. During the retreat, the French mined and blew up the Kremlin. The Filaretovskaya extension and the Assumption Belfry were completely destroyed. The bell tower remained in place, but a huge crack passed through the upper tier.<\/p>\n

The gilded cross on top of the dome of Ivan the Great was considered by Muscovites as a symbol of royal power. Because Bonaparte ordered to remove it. When the French soldiers found out that the product was based on a copper alloy, and not precious metals, they threw the remains at the walls of the Assumption Cathedral. In place of the overthrown cross, a new one was erected, made of iron and covered with gilded copper plates. Its upper crossbar was decorated with the inscription “King of Glory”.<\/p>\n

\"Belfry<\/a><\/p>\n

Post-war restoration work was led by the Swiss architect Domenico Gilardi. He was guided by a project drawn up by the architect Luigi Ruschi. During the repair, white facing stone was used, and the decor was changed on the top of the belfries. The main innovation was the relocation<\/a> of the dome of the Assumption Belfry to the western part of the roof.<\/p>\n

Bell tower during the Great Patriotic War<\/h3>\n

Immediately after the outbreak of hostilities in the summer of 1941, a command post for a military branch located on the territory of the Kremlin was organized in the building. It operated from June to September 1941. To establish uninterrupted communication inside the Tsar Bell, at the foot of the belfry, a communication center was equipped.<\/p>\n

Restoration of destroyed buildings in the post-war period<\/h3>\n

At the beginning of the 21st century specialist<\/a>s of the Restavrator-M company were involved in the reconstruction of the architectural ensemble. During the work, they found fragments of an old floor (18th century). According to his model, a new coating was laid.<\/p>\n

The method of fragmentary restoration was also used to preserve the original appearance of the internal staircase, doorway, decorative elements (sockets, cornices, imposts) inside the room. The work carried out made it possible to leave intact and demonstrate to visitors the original examples of ancient Russian architecture.<\/p>\n

About the bells<\/h2>\n

\"Belfry<\/a><\/p>\n

In total, the belfry has 34 bells. Among them are foundry products of masters of the 16th-19th centuries. The best nabats in Russia were cast in Moscow. The most famous bells had their own names. They were customarily decorated with bas-reliefs and ornaments. A commemorative inscription was left on each bell indicating the name of the master, the date of manufacture, and weight.<\/p>\n

The starting materials were a special “bell” alloy. It included:<\/p>\n

The proportions of metals were set by the master. The sound of the ringing largely depended on the content of the composition. Over time, the bells lost their ringing, cracks formed in the walls and the product was sent for remelting. Initially, wooden beams were used to fasten the bells on Ivan the Great. In the 19th century, they began to be gradually replaced by more durable, metal ones.<\/p>\n

Assumption bell<\/h3>\n

\"Belfry<\/a><\/p>\n

The authors of the Festive or Assumption bell are Russian masters Zavyalov and Rusinov. Nabat is characterized by a strong clear sound. This is the most powerful bell in the belfry. Its mass is 65,320 kg.<\/p>\n

Bell Howler<\/h3>\n

\"Belfry<\/a><\/p>\n

The second largest bell on Ivan the Great is the Revun or Reut. It is inferior to its fellow in size by 2 times -32,760 kg. At the same time, this is the alarm – the patriarch. It was made in 1622 by the famous Russian caster Andrey Chokhov.<\/p>\n

Seven Hundred Bell<\/h3>\n

The all-day or Seven Hundred bell was intended for daily use. He is noticeably inferior to loud comrades and weighs 13071 kg. The creator of the alarm is I. Motorin.<\/p>\n

Other bells<\/h3>\n

Depending on the range of sounds produced, bells are divided into 3 types:<\/p>\n

The combination of different sounds creates an overall harmonious chime. Therefore, a whole orchestra of alarms was placed on the bell tower. They were distributed over 3 tiers of the tower:<\/p>\n

    \n
  1. On the bottom – Swan, Bear, Wide, Novgorod, Rostov, Slobodskoy.<\/li>\n
  2. On the middle – Korsunsky (3 pcs.), New, Nemchin, Bezymyanny, Danilovsky, Maryinsky, Deaf.<\/li>\n
  3. On the top – Unnamed (3 pcs.).<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    After the establishment of Soviet power, bell ringing was banned. In 1992, the chime on Ivan the Great sounded again.<\/p>\n

    Bell tower museums<\/a><\/h2>\n

    The room inside the Assumption Belfry was converted into a museum<\/a>. It contains ancient artifacts, with the help of which the history of the arrangement of the Moscow Kremlin is visually presented. In the museum collection, visitors can see fragments of existing and already disappeared buildings on the territory of the capital citadel.<\/p>\n

    The exhibition hall serves as a place for placing mobile expositions. Topics featured here are:<\/p>\n

    Bell tower of Ivan the Great today<\/h2>\n

    \"Belfry<\/a><\/p>\n

    In addition to being an object for tourists to visit, the belfry fulfills its main purpose. Its bells sounded again after an almost 75-year break, in honor of the Easter holidays<\/a> in 1992. It is on the tower of Ivan the Great that the bells are the first to ring on the days of the main church holidays.<\/p>\n

    Before the bells started working again, they were examined. Less often than others, they beat the huge Holiday bell. Since it requires several bell ringers to work with it. The weight of the bell tongue is 2 thousand kg. An observation deck is open on the upper tier, located at a height of 80 m. Visitors can climb it during the warm season. However, the path of 329 steps must be overcome on foot.<\/p>\n

    Opening hours<\/a> and ticket prices<\/h2>\n

    \"Belfry<\/a><\/p>\n

    The museum and the observation deck on the upper tier of the tower are accessible only during the warm season (May-September). The composition of the group should not exceed 10 people. Children under 14 are not admitted. Sessions are held daily strictly on time. Day off is Thursday. Tickets are sold at the box office near the Kutafya Tower 45 minutes before the start of the tour. Ticket price 250 rubles.<\/p>\n

    Where is the Bell Tower and how to get to it<\/h2>\n

    The object is located at the address<\/a>: Cathedral Square, Kremlin, Moscow. Tourists are advised to choose the metro in order to arrive at the stations closest to the Kremlin:<\/p>\n

    Belfry of Ivan the Great Moscow Kremlin on the map<\/a><\/h2>\n