Kolomna, the Kremlin: history and photos

Kolomna is one of the most beautiful cities in the Moscow region. In addition to the ancient towers, houses decorated with carved painted shutters, this city is also famous for the museum of pastilles, prepared according to original recipes. Well, the main attraction is, of course, the Kolomna Kremlin.

How it all began…

The first records of the formation of Kolomna are found in the Laurentian Chronicle from 1177, which served as the date of the foundation of the city itself. At that time, wooden structures already existed as a defense - raids by the Golden Horde did not cease. For four centuries, the wooden Kremlin was repeatedly destroyed - about six times it was burned by the Horde khans during their attacks on Russia.

Constant ruinous raids by Tatars and served as a reason for erecting a stone fortress, protecting the inhabitants from enemies. By the decree of Prince Vasily III in 1525 the construction of this building begins in the city of Kolomna.

The Kremlin, rebuilt and reinforced, was a polyhedron resembling an oval. Each wall along the entire perimeter has towers that served as a defense for the soldiers during defense. The Kremlin was located more than convenient: in the north and north-west access to the city was blocked by the Moscow and Kolomna rivers. The rest of the parties were surrounded by a deep moat. The fortress reached a height of about 20 meters, the width of the lower part of the walls was 4.5 meters, the top - 3 meters.

The construction of this structure affected the life of the entire Moscow principality. During this time, many residents of both the surrounding villages and the city of Kolomna were attracted.

The Kremlin - the history of creation continues

The power of the Mongol-Tatar yoke was defeated. However, the attempt on the city did not end there. Here and there for another century, there were periodic outbreaks of popular unrest and peasant uprisings, but the Kremlin stoically protected its inhabitants. For a long time he served as a defensive force, and no one could penetrate the very heart of the fortress. But by the middle of the 17th century, the boundaries of the Moscow state began to move away from the city. Its main activity was the organization of trade relations between other states. This was already the new large industrial center of Kolomna. The Kremlin, having lost its original status of a military fortress, was gradually destroyed by the inhabitants. And only in 1826, under the decree of Nicholas I , the restoration of the remaining buildings began.

The Kremlin today

At the moment it is the main attraction of the city of Kolomna. The Kremlin - its photo you can see in the article - is located next to the river, which gave it its name. Along the walls are towers that managed to be preserved. To date, there are 7 of 17 existing ones up to the middle of the 17th century. However, the Kremlin is still a powerful architectural monument. As in medieval times whole settlements were formed inside the fortress, and these towers, miraculously escaped, reliably guard their small town, which has an amazing history passed from generation to generation in the city of Kolomna.

The Kremlin is rich in cultural and architectural heritage. The main attraction is undoubtedly the Cathedral Square. Here you can see the Uspensky Cathedral, built in the 14th century. Dmitry Donskoy ordered to build it in honor of the long-awaited victory of the Russian troops on the Tatar-Mongols in all the famous Kulikovo battle. Nearby is the Resurrection Church. It is one of the oldest buildings built here. According to legend, it was in her wedding the Grand Duke Dmitry Donskoy and Evdokia Suzdal.

Inside the great structure there is also a tented bell tower, which can rightfully be called the loudest and sonorous belfry in the whole of Russia, not only in the city of Kolomna.

Kolomna Kremlin also includes a military-historical complex of sports-cultural type. His discovery occurred relatively recently, but he already fell in love not only with residents, but also with tourists. Various wrestling competitions are held here, knight tournaments for the honor of a noble lady, fairs are organized, as well as festive folk festivals. Everyone can try on the role of a brave warrior thanks to the available weapons and uniforms of the reign of the Grand Dukes of Russia.

Marina Mniszek is a recluse

The highest tower of the Kremlin is Kolomenskaya. During the uprisings, it also served as a watchdog, as it provided an excellent view of the area. The height is about 30 meters. The tower includes 8 floors, and the windows located along the whole diameter in staggered order allowed the soldiers to follow the enemies and not to weaken defense for a minute. Several names have been assigned to this tower. However, the most popular was "Marinkina." There is a legend that the spouse of False Dmitry has been imprisoned here. Here Marina Mnishek also lived, waiting for salvation in the person of the ataman I. Zarutskiy. Soon she managed to escape, but the joy was not long. The impostor was soon caught, and until her death she lived in her tower, not seeing the white light. They say that later it turned into a magpie and still broke free. But this is nothing more than a beautiful legend. At the moment, in the place of imprisonment of Marina Mnishek, a cell has been restored, in which the grief-queen has been mourning for many years.

And the name - Marinkina - later took root, and the tower began to be called so.

Border is locked tight…

Residents, fearing constant attacks from the Tatars, tried as best as possible to protect their lives. Only after passing through the gate, you could get to the city of Kolomna. The Kremlin was reliably guarded from all sides.

The most important were the Pyatnitskiye Gate, located on the eastern side. The tower, which was next to it, is two-tiered. Its height is 29 meters, and the diameter is 13 meters. Mounted on the top of the bell made an important mission - with his help the soldiers gave a signal, seeing the approach of dangerous opponents. The tower has survived to this day.

The next important were the Ivanovo Gates. But, unfortunately, in the beginning of the 19th century they - like the Skew and Water - were destroyed. They were not restored.

The Mikhailovsky Gates are located between the two towers - Marinkina and Granovita. They were laid back in the 16th century. Over time, the masonry was gradually destroyed, but more recently the gates were restored. Today you can see them by visiting Kolomna.

The Kremlin today, thus, from the 6th gate built in the 16th century has only 2. But they also represent an amazing sight and preserve the centuries-old history of creating and opposing the enemy.

Through the streets of the Kremlin ...

The tour of this remarkable architectural structure begins at the square of Two Revolutions. A real policeman takes you inside, and here all the magic begins ... The main street of the Kremlin is named after the writer I. I. Lazhechnikov, who was born in these places. On its left side are the Assumption Cathedral and the Church of the Assumption of the Virgin.

One of the distinctive features of the Kremlin is residential buildings within the building itself. Basically, these noblemen's estates, which retained their appearance during the conquest period of the great princes and literally soaked in the spirit of that era. Carved shutters, elegant fences, well-groomed courtyards - all this shows that the story is alive, and time is not over it.

Also here you can see the buildings that have gained popularity during the prosperity of trade and merchant relations in the city of Kolomna.

The Kremlin - how to get to the heart of the city?

You already know that the most famous landmark of Kolomna is the Kremlin. His address will also be able to tell any resident - st. Lazhechnikova, house number 5. You can get to the Kremlin from the capital of Russia by bus, going from the metro station Vykhino. Also every day there are trains from Kazan Station to the Square of Two Revolutions. Entrance is possible from the street Lazhechnikova or near the Yamskaya Tower. Kolomna Kremlin is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Anyone can enter in for free. The organization of the excursion and its cost should be agreed in advance with the workers of the Kremlin museums.

The pride of the country!

In 2013, a multimedia contest "Russia-10" was launched to choose the best monuments of architecture. Among the other most famous attractions was the Kolomna Kremlin. From the very first days, Kadyrov's Mosque "The Heart of Chechnya" was the leader. However, in the second phase of the project, the Kremlin outstripped the above-mentioned architectural monument. As a result, these two attractions, in view of the large gap of votes from the rest, were recognized as early winners of the contest.

What else can you see?

Undoubtedly, the most important architectural monument of such an ancient settlement as Kolomna is the Kremlin. The sights, however, of this city are quite diverse. Each of them has its own uniqueness and uniqueness, as well as a rich historical past. Among other things, the following museums can be distinguished: pastille, kalacha. In them you can learn the history of the creation of each food product, taste them. Known also for the whole region and the Kolomna mead, which everyone should try, got into this amazing place.