Moscow is one of the most beautiful capitals in the world. It is known for its rich past and its glorious traditions. The appearance of the capital of Russia harmoniously combines both modern buildings and ancient architectural monuments. The museums of Moscow, whose number is approaching 400, store the richest cultural heritage left by our ancestors. This is a kind of history book, widely opened for everyone who wants to join the wondrous past of the Russian people. The most famous museum in the capital is the Kremlin. It has long become a symbol not only of Belokamennaya itself, but of the whole of Russia.
Moscow Kremlin
This is a unique architectural monument located in the historical part of the city. In 1990, the Kremlin and the Red Square adjacent to it were included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. This fact once again indicates the importance of this historical monument not only for the Russian people, but also for world culture. Impressive examples of architectural art are concentrated on its territory, as well as famous ones, not only in Russia, but also far beyond it.outside, the Moscow Kremlin Museums. The Armory is the most famous among them. Excursions to this piece of the heart of Russia are always popular. And there is a reason! After all, the Armory is rightfully considered a treasure-museum. Its priceless exhibits are able to visually recreate the glorious pages of our history.
Historical background
For the first time, the Armory of the Moscow Kremlin (photo above) is mentioned in the annals of the first half of the 16th century. They tell about the fire that happened in the Kremlin: "… Arming the chamber, the whole fire is on fire with military weapons." During the time of Ivan III, it was called the Big Treasury, and it was located in the Treasury House, between the Annunciation and Archangel Cathedrals. Under Peter I, a workshop was created in which valuables were stored. It was ordered to transfer there not only valuable, but also curious things. In 1737, the treasures of the Armory Chamber of the Moscow Kremlin once again suffered from a fire. The fire destroyed some of the weapons and trophies, including those inherited from the Poltava battle. After that, the surviving valuables were transferred to the Terem Palace. In 1810, by decree of Alexander I, a special building was built. However, soon it was not needed either, since already in 1851 the Armory Chamber of the Moscow Kremlin moved to a new building erected by the architect Konstantin Ton, where it stays to this day. Since 1960, this treasury has been part of the state museums of the Moscow Kremlin. And in 1962, in the former Patriarchal Chambers,branch of the Armory, namely the Museum of Applied Arts and Life of Russia of the 17th century.
Name history
The Armory Chamber in Moscow received its name due to the fact that gunsmiths, who were the best silver and goldsmiths, worked in it. They made comfortable, light weapons with high fighting qualities. Later, an icon-painting workshop, famous for such masters as F. Zubov, S. Ushakov, I. Bezmin, was attached to the premises. Over time, its functions changed, because, in addition to making weapons and other art objects, the chamber became a repository for various valuable things. At the same time, the Armory Chamber of the Moscow Kremlin continues to replenish with military trophies, gifts from merchants and foreign ambassadors.
Exhibits of material and historical value
Throughout the history of the museum, it has been replenished with various treasures, carefully stored from year to year, thanks to which today we can observe these priceless and unique artifacts. So, during periods of persecution of religion, the Armory in Moscow absorbed and preserved all the values of closed temples. Also in the halls of the museum you can see the ceremonial vestments of roy alty and representatives of the Orthodox Church, various silver and gold items made by ancient craftsmen.
State regalia and royal household items
One of the most famous relics is Monomakh's hat. She is adorned with preciousstones and sable fur. She crowned the kingdom of the great princes of Russia. Visitors can also see the double throne on which the brothers Ivan V and Peter Alekseevich, the future Peter I, were crowned. This throne is unusual, because it has a door and a small room. According to legend, there was a prompter in it, who told the brothers what to say. Also, visitors can admire the throne of Ivan the Terrible. It is lined with ivory plates on which various images are applied: biblical, mythological, historical. The exhibits of the Armory Chamber of the Moscow Kremlin will impress any visitor of the museum. They amaze with their sophistication and very fine workmanship.
Weapons
A huge collection of weapons and even parade horse ammunition is presented to the attention of visitors. So, the museum exhibited a model of a knight sitting on a horse. They are both armored. The horse has only legs and eyes open, the knight's only weak point is the face, and then not all, but only a small piece, because the narrow gap in the helmet is the only open part. Sabers and swords with hilts entirely decorated with gold and precious stones, military armor from different peoples of the world, pistols and guns lined with silver and gold are hung on the stands.
Church utensils and vestments
The last two halls of the museum feature old carriages and clothes. The beginning of the exposition is opened by the ancient sakkos of the Moscow metropolitans. They are made of expensive fabric, decorated with gold, silver andprecious stones. The richest sakkos is the attire of Metropolitan Nikon. The vestment is made of pure gold brocade, in addition, many pearls and gold plates are sewn on it. The total weight of this garment is 24 kg. Here is such a modest suit!
And stuff, stuff, stuff…
In total, the Moscow Kremlin Armory has approximately 4,000 unique artifacts of decorative and applied art from the countries of the East, Europe and Russia. Here you can see several Gospels, the salaries of which are trimmed with a large number of precious stones. Masters made them of gold, and then decorated them with patterned niello and filigree and large gems. The enormous value of the presented exhibits brought the museum world fame. So, Dmitry Likhachev stated that the Armory of the Moscow Kremlin is “… more than a museum. This is the materialized memory of our people, the treasury of Russia.”
Let's look into the treasury of the Russian tsars: the Moscow Kremlin Armory
A tour of this unique museum includes a visit to nine halls. The first two show silver and gold items made by Russian craftsmen of the 12th-17th centuries. in the first and XVII-XX centuries. - in the second. The third and fourth halls exhibit ceremonial weapons. Weapons of Eastern and European cultures of the 15th-19th centuries are presented, as well as Russian weapons, starting from the 12th century. In the fifth hall, visitors can see Western European silverware of the 13th-19th centuries. The sixth exposition is dedicated toprecious fabrics and sewing of the XIV-XVIII centuries. Secular costumes of the 16th-20th centuries are exhibited there. The seventh hall presents the ancient state regalia, as well as objects of ceremonial ceremonies, starting from the 13th century. The eighth hall is replete with exhibits of horse ammunition from the 13th-18th centuries. And the last, ninth, represents the crews.
Guests of Moscow are recommended to …
The Kremlin Museum Complex, and especially the Armory, is recommended for visiting all guests of the capital. Both foreign and domestic tourists will discover a lot of new things by getting acquainted with this unique collection. After all, the exhibits presented here speak for themselves, they reveal to visitors the true history of not only our country, but the entire Eurasian continent. After all, often written sources were written to please the current government, distorting real events. And the collected artifacts are able to tell about the true events of that time, you just need to be attentive and ready to accept something new. A repository of priceless exhibits, a treasury of cultural and historical heritage not only of the Russian people, but of the whole world - these are the characteristics that the Moscow Kremlin Armory has earned. Tickets for visiting this, let's not be afraid of such a comparison, wonder of the world are sold at the museum's box office 45 minutes before the start of the session. Every day, except Thursday, there are 4 sessions: at 10.00, 12.00, 14.30 and 16.30
How much does it cost to visitMuseum?
The cost of a full ticket is 700 rubles. However, for pensioners, students and schoolchildren the price will be only 200 rubles. In addition, on weekends and holidays, you can purchase a family ticket to visit the Armory. The cost of the tour will be 200 rubles for each family member. And every third Monday of the month, persons under the age of 18 can visit the museum for free. In addition, daily for disabled people of groups 1 and 2, large families, military servicemen, cadets of military schools of 1 and 2 courses, veterans of the Second World War, preschoolers, orphans, museum workers visit the Armory free of charge.
Audio guide
All museum visitors are offered a free audio guide. It allows you to get acquainted with the plan of the museum, listen to information about the exposition. True, the allotted time (only 90 minutes) is clearly not enough to slowly examine the exhibits and listen to information about them. The Moscow Kremlin Armory is a true treasury that has collected the most valuable and historically significant artifacts created in the Kremlin workshops, as well as received as a gift by Russian tsars from foreign embassies.
In closing
The Armory is a museum that everyone should visit. All the ancient cultural treasures of our country are concentrated here. Of course, not everyone can afford to pay for the tour. I would like visits for the citizens of our country to be free, because this is the common heritage of the people. However, it should be understood that the content of such a collection, its protection,salaries for museum employees - all this requires huge sums, so the cost of visiting the exposition is fully justified.
