[The Kremlin from across the river]

The Kremlin

"Kremlin" (actually kreml) is the Russian word for citadel, and that's exactly what the Moscow Kremlin was: a medieval walled city on a hill above the Moscow River. Long ago, of course, the city grew far beyond the walls, but the citadel remained the seat of government.

[The Trinity Tower]
Visitors enter the Kremlin through the Trinity Tower on the west side. Beyond the tower on the right is the Soviet-era Palace of Congresses.

[The Cathedral of the Twelve Apostles, the
Ivan Bell Tower, and the Cathedral of the Assumption] [The Cathedral of the Twelve Apostles] [The Cathedral of the Assumption] [The Cathedral of the Assumption]
Inside the Kremlin walls is a mix of buildings, ranging from somewhat drab Soviet-era government offices to antique churches, such as the Cathedral of the Twelve Apostles (second from left) and the Cathedral of the Assumption.

[Steve and Lenin] [The Tsar Cannon] [The Tsar Bell]
Along with the buildings are monuments (including a large Lenin statue) and the Tsar Cannon, the largest cannon ever built, and the Tsar Bell, the world's largest bell.

[The Kremlin woods] [A walkway in the woods] [A walkway along the south wall]
Despite the abundance of buildings, the southeast part of the Kremlin interior is a large garden, almost a small forest, with carefully maintained walkways.

[Spasskaya Tower] [Spasskaya Tower from Red Square] [Tainitskaya Tower] [Beklemishevskaya Tower]
The most famous of the Kremlin's towers is the Spasskaya (Savior) clock tower, also visible from Red Square, but there are eighteen others, including the Tainitskaya and the Beklemishevskaya, both seen here from the walkway along the south side of the Kremlin interior.

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