The first white-stone Kremlin in Moscow

Why is Moscow called white stone? The answer to this question, so interesting for tourists, knows, perhaps, every one of its inhabitants, who truly loves his city and is proud of his majestic history. The name was given to the capital by the white-stone Kremlin in Moscow in 1367 built. Over the long centuries of its existence, it was repeatedly rebuilt and became a true symbol of the city, its heart and one of the main attractions.

Today the Kremlin is one of the most beautiful architectural ensembles in the world, and its area is about 27 and a half hectares. We learn more about the history of this grand structure.

The first settlements on the site of the Kremlin. Foundation of Moscow

The first ancient settlements on the site of the Kremlin arose long ago. As evidenced by archaeological excavations, about five thousand years ago. And already in the 6th century AD the first Slavic tribes appeared here.

Moscow was first mentioned in the annals in 1147. It was then that Yuri Dolgoruky invited his cousin Prince Novgorod-Seversky Svyatoslav to a meeting in a small border town. This event and went down in history as the date of foundation of Moscow.

The history of the creation of the first Kremlin

The history of the Kremlin begins a little later - nine years later, when Dolgoruky decides to strengthen the city with high fortifications. It was a pine palisade, backed by a massive earthen rampart for greater reliability. By the way, the place for construction was not chosen by chance. The fact is that the fortress was located on a high hill, surrounded by the Moscow River and Neglinnaya. This allowed time to notice the enemy and give him a rebuff. In addition, a very picturesque view of the neighborhood opened up from the hill. Interestingly, the area of the first Kremlin was about four hectares, and by now its territory has increased almost eight times!

But a significant drawback of this fortress was that it was built of wood, which means it could easily burn out during an accidental fire or arson. The next time the Kremlin was rebuilt in the early 14th century, when Moscow was ruled by Ivan Kalita. He invested a lot of money, effort and time in strengthening and beautifying the city. For this, he ordered the erection of new fortress walls. These barriers became much stronger, they were built of strong and solid oak trunks. A new white stone Kremlin in Moscow was built under Dmitry Donskoi several decades later.

Moscow in the time of Dmitry Donskoy

The next ruler of Moscow was Prince Dmitry Donskoy. He was the grandson of Ivan Kalita. It is known that Dmitry Donskoy conducted an active foreign policy, expanding and strengthening the territory of Moscow. In addition, this time was marked by the furious raids of the Tatar-Mongol hordes. All this required new, more durable fortifications.

In addition, as already mentioned, the old Kremlin was built of wood. Therefore, although he was powerful enough to withstand the enemy invasions, he was still defenseless before the fire. And the fire that happened in 1365, destroyed the entire city to its foundations (in history it was called the All-Svyatsky, since it began in the Church of All Saints). He did not spare the oak walls of the Kremlin. Then, in order to protect the city, Dmitry Donskoy commands to build a white-stone Kremlin in Moscow. The year of construction starts - 1367. This is mentioned in the annals of this period.

The construction of the white stone Kremlin

So, the construction of the white-stone Kremlin in Moscow began. During the whole winter, materials were brought into her to create a fortress. White stone for the construction of mined in the suburbs, thirty kilometers from the city. It has long been used in Russia and was one of the most beloved materials. The white stone was durable and beautiful, but its extraction was difficult, and there were few masters of this case. Therefore, it was not used very widely.

The white-stone Kremlin in Moscow was the first such building in Suzdal Rus. By its construction began, when all the materials were ready, namely in the spring of 1367. Under the walls of the new fortress laid a solid foundation, which stands safely to this day.

The construction of the white stone Kremlin in Moscow (the year of its completion - 1368) was quickly carried out. This haste was fully justified. After all, soon after the construction was over, the army of the Lithuanian prince Olgerd attacked Moscow. He stood for three days under the walls of the Kremlin, but he could not take the fortress. Two years later Olgerd again attacked the city, but also unsuccessfully.

In 1382, the fortress was severely attacked by Tokhtamysh, which caused great damage to it, but after it was completely restored. Therefore, the construction of the white stone Kremlin, without any doubt, was an outstanding historical event that influenced the further development of the city and its formation as the center of Orthodoxy and the residence of the Grand Dukes.

What did the white-stone Kremlin look like?

Unfortunately, so far no documentary reports have been received on how the first white-stone Kremlin in Moscow looked. To judge this can only be due to the available information from the annals and drawings of AM Vasnetsov.

It is known that the stone walls and towers were built at a considerable distance from the old structures. Therefore, the territory of the Kremlin has significantly expanded. The thickness of the walls by some estimates reached two to three meters. Also the role of protective structures was carried out by a wide ditch through which bridges were tossed.

In the walls were installed loopholes, which were closed with strong wooden shields. In six towers, a gate was built. Through the Neglinnaya River, the first stone bridge in Moscow was laid. After a century and a half in its place built Trinity, which stands today.

After the completion of the construction the white stone Kremlin became the most powerful fortress in Europe. By the way, its area at that time almost reached modern.

How did the new Kremlin build?

About 150 years the white-stone Kremlin stood in Moscow. Many times he was subjected to siege and resisted the most fierce attacks. But still they caused him serious damage and destruction, however, as well as frequent fires. The walls of the fortress were dilapidated in many places and could no longer fulfill their protective role.

Therefore, in the second half of the 15th century, under Ivan the Third, a major restructuring of the Kremlin began. For this purpose, famous Italian masters were invited to Moscow. The fortress was rebuilt gradually, new, red brick was erected on the site of the old white walls. In general, the reconstruction of the Kremlin took ten years. Also, temples and cathedrals were rebuilt. So the modern architectural appearance of the Kremlin was being formed.

Subsequently, he repeatedly rebuilt. The first changes were made during the reign of Boris Godunov, then under Peter I. Great damage was inflicted on the Kremlin by the Patriotic War of 1812. After it, large-scale restoration work was carried out. Under Soviet rule, the Kremlin has also been rebuilt several times, towers were decorated with stars, and Tsar-Gun and Tsar Bell were installed on pedestals.

Moscow white-stone

The white-stone Kremlin in Moscow stood for almost a century and a half. He sustained not one furious attack and an enemy siege, reliably protecting the city from the enemy. It was thanks to this fortress that Moscow acquired the name "Belokamennaya". By the way, she is wearing it now. But few people know that the Kremlin remained "white-stone" for another four centuries after the construction of new red brick walls.

This unusual fact has a simple explanation. The walls of the fortress were especially whitened until the 19th century. On the one hand, this was due to concern for the safety of the brick, on the other - it was a kind of tribute to the memory of the first stone Kremlin built under Dmitry Donskoy. For example, it is depicted on the canvas by PP Vereshchagin, created in 1879.

The Kremlin today

Currently, the Kremlin is home to the president's residence. In 1997, it was carried out a large-scale restoration. In the course of the work, a large number of Kremlin buildings and structures were restored. Now, on major Orthodox holidays, solemn divine services are held in it, and excursions are organized around the territory and museums of the fortress.

And, perhaps today, not everyone remembers that the white-stone Kremlin in Moscow was built at Dmitri Donskoi, but the indigenous inhabitants of the capital know the history of their city and are proud of it.

Interesting Facts

• The architectural ensemble of the Red Square and the Kremlin is on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
• If a few centuries ago the walls of the fortress were whitened, today they are periodically tinted with red paint.
• The Kremlin is the largest surviving fortress in Europe, still in force.
• In 1941, windows were painted on the walls. This was done in order to disguise the fortress for a residential building.

The white-stone Kremlin in Moscow for its life has experienced many changes, but remained a symbol of Moscow and a real gem of the city's architecture.