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Kremlin
In the
mid 12th century the first
mention of a fortified settlement which would become the
Kremlin. The grounds have been built, rebuilt, renovated
and refurbished over a course of 800 years but the kremnik or
citadel as we know it today was constructed under the decree of
Ivan III in the late 1400s. Ivan enlisted the best builders
and artisans from Russian cities as well as Italian architects to
complete this project. Solid brick walls encompassed the
settlement in a triangular formation which varied in height from
15 to 60 feet and in thickness from 10 to 20 feet.
Built
in and along the walls are 19 of the fortresses 20 towers.
These towers were built using the most advanced military
technology of the time. The names for the towers are
derived either from the other buildings in proximity, the family
estate in that area, or its functionality and have been changed
multiple times. The three round towers on the corners are
the the
Corner Arsenal, Water and Beklemishev towers. The Saviour,
St. Nicholas, Trinity, Pine-Grove, Secret and SS Constantine and
Helen towers were all designed as gateways and the Alarm, Peter,
Toscin, First Nameless, Second Nameless, Tsar, Commandant
and Setane Towers were built for military purposes.
Many of the fantastic
buildings and other cathedrals were completed under the reign of
Ivan the Great. The Cathedral of the Annunciation, the
Cathedral of the Domition, the Cathedral of the Archangel
Michael, and the Church of the Deposition of the Virgin’s
Robe were four he had constructed. Another five churches
would be added later. The only tower not along the walls of
the castle is the Ivan the Great Bell Tower, which is the tallest
structure in the Kremlin. Perhaps the greatest of all the
cathedrals was built by Ivan IV, St. Basil’s Cathedral, and
in and architectural marvel. The interiors of all of the
cathedrals are decorated with wonderful religious murals and
frescoes. Buildings other than churches were constructed at
this time as well. Most notable is the construction of the
Armoury. Now the oldest museum in Russia, the Armoury was
originally a fortified building which Ivan the Great used to
store and create great treasures of the throne. Some of
these riches include jewel encrusted silverware, gilded
carriages, the famous Faberge Eggs, and more recently the Diamond
Fund. During the reign of Catherine the Great two other
great buildings were erected: the Arsenal for weapons storage,
and the Senate for the assembly to convene. 
For
a fortress such as this simply one palace would not suffice,
which is why 4 are enclosed within. The Amusement Palace
built by Alexei Mikhailovich, was originally a residential
mansion, but later became a place for theatrical
performances. The Great Kremlin Palace was built for
Nicholas I, but sevral renovations were made under the reign of
catherine the great. This palace is the largest and was the
official residence of the Czars containing over 700 rooms.
The most splendid of all is the Terem Palace built for Mikhail
Fyodorovich. It is known for its intricate exterior designs
as well as its lavish interior. The final Palace included
within the Kremlin walls is the Palace of the Facets. This
was Ivan IV’s original dwelling is the oldest remaining
building on all of Moscow.
Enclosed
within the armory, Russia's oldest muesem, are the treasures of
the crown. During the riegn of Ivan the Great, it was deemed
nessecary for royal to express the wealth of the nation by any
means. Becasue of this many items were uncharacteristically
gilded and encrested with diamonds. Ivan and his succesors
protected these items in the armoury, where today they can be
viewed during tours. Some of these great sites include the world
famous faberge eggs and the great imperial crown.
Many other additions were made
later during the rise of the USSR and every building within the
walls has been renovated due to attacks on the city but the final
two attractions I will point out are the Czar Bell and the Czar
Cannon. The both have the same two stigmas. 
They are both the largest in
the world of there respected types, and they both have never been
used. The Czar bell was dropped in the foundry and it resulted in
breaking off a "small" 11 ton piece of the 210 pound
bell. The Czar Cannon was designed as an ornament and features a
caliber of 890mm firing 1 ton cannon balls.