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Kremlin Facts

Kremlin Facts
The Kremlin is a fortified complex in Moscow, Russia, along the Moskva River, where the Russian President lives. The grounds where the Kremlin stands had been inhabited since 500BC but it wasn't until 1146 that the first wall (made of wood) was built to fortify the area. Many of the original Kremlin buildings were built between 1482 and 1495, including the Cathedrals of the Assumption, and the Palace of Facets. In the years that followed many more magnificent structures were added to the Kremlin, including Saint Basil's Cathedral. The Kremlin has survived many attacks, including Napoleon's attempt to blow it up in 1812. In 1990 it was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Interesting Kremlin Facts:
The Kremlin was founded by Prince Yury Dolgoruky in the 1100s.
The Kremlin encompasses an area of 90 acres of land.
The word 'kremlin' means 'fortress'. The Kremlin in Moscow is also sometimes referred to as the Moscow Kremlin, but most people consider it to be 'The Kremlin'.
The Kremlin is the largest fortress of its kind in Europe.
The Kremlin houses several churches and cathedrals including the Cathedral of the Annunciation, the Cathedral of the Assumption, the Cathedral of the Archangel, the Cathedral of the Twelve Apostles in the Patriarch's Palace, the Church of the Nativity, and the Church of the Deposition of the Robe.
Palaces of the Kremlin include Great Kremlin Palace, Terem Palace, Poteshny Palace, and State Kremlin Palace.
Other important buildings of the Kremlin include Faceted Chamber, the Arsenal, and the Senate Building.
The biggest bell in the world is located at the Kremlin - the Tsar Bell. One of the largest, but unused cannons in the world is located at the Kremlin - the Tsar Cannon.
The Kremlin has many towers that were built in its early years, including Saviour's Tower, Tsar's Tower, Alarm Tower, Konstantion-Yeleninskaya Tower, Beklemishevskaya Tower, Peter's Tower, Nameless Towers, Secret Tower, Annunciation Tower, Water Pump Tower, Borovitskaya Tower, Armoury Tower, Commandant's Tower, Trinity Tower, Kutafya Tower, Middle Arsenal Tower, Corner Arsenal Tower, and St. Nicholas Tower.
In the heart of the Kremlin is Sobornaya Square, where all Kremlin streets once converged, and where guests are traditionally welcomed.
A flock of doves is released from Sobornaya Square each year at the Annunciation, symbolizing the spread of the good word.
The Kremlin's largest square is Ivanovskaya Square.
The famous Faberge Eggs are located in the Kremlin Armoury, which is now a museum. Inside the Kremlin Armoury are Tsar weapons and collectibles as well.
The Kremlin is similar in meaning and importance to the White House in the United States.
A helipad was built at the Kremlin in 2013 so that the president's motorcade would not cause a major traffic disruption.
During World War II the entire Kremlin was camouflaged in order to make it more difficult to find and to bomb.
Some people believe that the ghosts of past rulers haunt the Kremlin. People have reported seeing Ivan the Terrible, Vasily II Tyomniy, Ivan Kalita, and Lenin.
Some believe that if Lenin had not chosen the Kremlin as his official residence it may not have survived when other historical buildings were being demolished in the early 1900s.


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