Not only in Moscow: in which cities of Russia is the Kremlin

Today, the Moscow Kremlin is the official residence of the President of Russia and a symbol of the country. Built for the defense of an ancient urban settlement, the Kremlin is of great historical value not only for Moscow, but for the whole country. But the Moscow Kremlin is far from the only such construction on the territory of our country.

Since the 9th century, in the ancient cities of Russia, wooden and then stone walls with watchtowers were erected to protect the settlements. Later, the central part of the city, surrounded by a defensive wall, became known as the Kremlin. On a section of the city surrounded by a protective wall, temples and cathedrals, as well as other objects significant for the city, were located. In several cities of Russia, ancient defensive walls are still preserved, some of which in their beauty can be compared with the objects of the Moscow Kremlin and even are included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. We will tell about the most important from a historical point of view and well-preserved ancient fortresses in our review.

Novgorod Kremlin

Novgorod fortress, or Novgorod detinets, is located on the left bank of the Volkhov River and is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. The first mention of the fortress in this place dates back to the XI century. The modern walls of the fortress, which tourists can admire, were built of brick and stone in the 15th century. Spasskaya and Pokrovskaya towers were erected at the turn of the XIII-XIV centuries.

Kazan Kremlin

Another Kremlin from the UNESCO list in our country. Various parts of the Kazan Kremlin date from the X-XI centuries. The first fortifications were built by the Bulgars, and then during the Golden Horde. The stone walls and towers that have survived to this day were erected after the capture of the city by Ivan the Terrible in the second half of the 16th century. Today, the Kazan Kremlin is a landmark of the city, and it houses the residence of the President of the Republic of Tatarstan.

Astrakhan Kremlin

The Astrakhan Kremlin is one of the well-preserved ancient defensive structures built in the 16th century. Seven of the eight towers of the Astrakhan Kremlin have been preserved in their original form. The defensive walls of the Kremlin with loopholes and towers are almost 1.5 kilometers long.

Tula Kremlin

The Tula Kremlin is also over 400 years old. This well-preserved architectural monument includes 9 towers and walls with a length of more than 1 kilometer, which are decorated with two-horned battlements. These battlements make the walls look like those that rise in the Moscow Kremlin.

Pskov Kremlin

The Pskov Kremlin is one of the oldest in Russia. Some of its parts, such as Dovmontov city, were built in the XIII century. 7 towers of the Pskov Kremlin, Trinity Cathedral and several city buildings have survived to this day.

Smolensk Kremlin

Smolensk fortress, or Smolensk Kremlin, was built at the turn of the XVI-XVII centuries. Despite the fact that the fortress was badly damaged during the Patriotic War of 1812 (Napoleon's troops destroyed part of the structure during the retreat), there is something to see. Well preserved 17 towers of the Kremlin and more than 3 kilometers of brick walls.

Zaraisk fortress

The Zaraisk Kremlin was built in the 16th century, when the city was still called Novogorodok-on-Sturgeon. The Kremlin walls have repeatedly saved this city, located in the Moscow region, from attack by invaders and withstood a long siege.

Nizhny Novgorod Kremlin

The most beautiful historical and architectural monument of Nizhny Novgorod is located on a high bank at the confluence of the Volga and Oka rivers. The Nizhny Novgorod Kremlin was built at the beginning of the 16th century. 13 towers, brick walls with a length of more than 2 kilometers and St. Michael the Archangel Cathedral, also dating from the 16th century, are perfectly preserved.

Kolomna Kremlin

The Kolomna Kremlin was built at the beginning of the 16th century to protect the city from nomad raids during the reign of Tsar Vasily III. 7 towers, almost 2 kilometers of walls, the Assumption Cathedral in the Kremlin, two monasteries and several more buildings have survived to this day.

Tobolsk Kremlin

The only Kremlin located in Siberia, in the former capital of the Tobolsk province - the city of Tobolsk. The Kremlin was built to protect the city from attacks by nomads in the XVII-XVIII centuries. 7 towers of the Kremlin have been preserved, and inside it are located the Sophia, Pokrovsky and Sophia-Assumption Cathedrals, as well as other historical buildings.

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