Many lines devoted to the Moscow Kremlin Russianspoets Many canvases by famous artists depict this masterpiece of medieval architecture. The Moscow Kremlin is an outstanding architectural ensemble in Russia. And about him will be discussed in this article.
The architectural ensemble is ...
The word "ensemble" of French origin. It translates as "unity, integrity, connectedness".
The architectural ensemble is a complex of residential andpublic buildings, as well as other structures (bridges, roads, monuments, and the like), which constitute a single spatial composition. Its elements can be not only houses and buildings, but also sculptures, monuments, works of art, squares and gardens. The perception of a particular ensemble of architecture depends largely on the time of year, the level of illumination. The presence of people as well as the intensity of traffic also have weight.
The most important part of anyThe architectural ensemble is the surrounding landscape. Here, a huge role is played primarily by the relief of the area, as well as the presence of reservoirs (rivers, lakes, reservoirs).
Довольно часто композиционным центром architectural ensemble stands any monument or obelisk. Among such examples are St. Peter’s Square in the Vatican or the Round Square in Poltava. To honor the memory of an outstanding personality or to emphasize the historical importance of an event is the main goal pursued by such an architectural ensemble. You can see the photo of such a complex below (this is St. Peter's Square, the Vatican).
Types of architectural ensembles
Some architectural ensembles are created immediately andcomprehensively, according to a previously prepared master plan. Others have been forming for dozens of years, gradually adding new buildings and elements. By the way, the second option is found in the world much more often.
There are several different types of architectural ensembles. Among them:
- squares ensembles;
- fortresses;
- prospectuses;
- palace and park;
- manor houses;
- monastic ensembles.
Moscow Kremlin - an outstanding architectural ensemble of Europe
The Kremlin in Moscow is the largest fortress inEurope from among those that are fully preserved to this day. This architectural ensemble is located in the very center of the Russian capital, it is the main public and political complex of the city, as well as a kind of sacral symbol for the whole country. Here is the main residence of the President of the Russian Federation.
The architectural ensemble of the Kremlin in Moscow is builtplaces where the Neglinnaya River flows into the Moscow River. The triangular fortress covers an area of 27.5 hectares. On the one hand, the Kremlin borders on Red Square, and on the other - on Aleksandrovsky Garden.
In the early 90s within the architecturalThe complex underwent a large-scale reconstruction: in particular, the building of the Senate was then restored, as well as several halls of the Grand Kremlin Palace. At the end of the twentieth century, the walls and towers of the ensemble were also restored.
By the way, not everyone knows that the walls of MoscowThe Kremlin has not always been red, as we all used to see them. During the XVIII-XIX centuries, according to the preserved paintings and descriptions, they had a white color (up to 1880). Today, the walls of the Kremlin from time to time tint red paint.
Another interesting historical fact about the Kremlinrefers to the days of World War II. So, in 1941, an order was given to finish the windows on the fortress walls, so that the building would look like a residential object.
Brief history of the architectural ensemble
Defensive installations on the site of the modernThe Kremlin existed in Moscow for a long time. However, in ancient times they were wooden, and therefore suffered greatly from fires. Therefore, in the XIV century, it was decided to surround the city with stone walls (limestone).
The most prominent architectural ensemble in Russiaformed in its current form at the end of the XV century. The first tower was built here in 1485. Italian architects actively participated in the construction of the complex, nevertheless, the appearance of the fortress looks very "in Russian".
Very interesting are the huge watches posted onFrolovskoy tower. In the entire history of their changed four times. Those that show the time today were installed in 1852. The five-pointed stars of ruby glass that adorn the Kremlin towers were installed in 1937.
The Moscow Kremlin suffered greatly duringThe civil war of 1917. In particular, several towers of the complex were damaged, as well as all of its temples. But in the Second World War, the Kremlin survived. Thanks to the competent disguise, which managed to hold the Soviet architects, the ensemble was not subject to bombing.
Walls, towers and temples of the Kremlin
Архитектурный ансамбль Кремля в Москве включает в 20 towers (three of them are round in plan, the others are square). The highest of them is Troitskaya, its height is 79 meters. All the Kremlin towers were built in the same architectural style, except for the pseudo-Gothic Nikolskaya.
The towers of the Kremlin, as well as the fortress walls werebuilt at the turn of the XIV-XV centuries, and finally decorated in the XVII century. The total length of all the walls of the ensemble is more than two kilometers. Their thickness ranges from 3.5 to 6.5 meters, and the height is from 5 to 19 meters. The tops of the walls are decorated in the form of teeth, which are shaped like swallows' tails (their total number is 1045). They also preserved slits, loopholes and embrasures, reminiscent of the main purpose of this building.
On the territory of the Moscow Kremlin there are seven temples and one bell tower, five palace buildings, as well as two famous monuments - the Tsar Cannon and Tsar Bell.
Conclusion
Moscow Kremlin - a unique architecturalRussian ensemble, the largest fortress in the whole of Europe. For Russians, it is a sacred place and a symbol of the statehood of Russia. For foreign tourists, this is the number one object that they aspire to see when they arrive in Russia.
