The Tsar Bell

The largest bell in the world is also in the Kremlin. The bell was ordered cast by the Empress Elizabeth (Peter the Great's daughter) when she came to the throne but it fractured during the casting process and was never rung. It would have been too heavy to raise to the top of the bell tower with contemporary tools anyway, but that didn't stop Elizabeth from wanting it to be the biggest!

Tsar Cannon

The largest cannon in the world, the Tsar Cannon has never been fired. It was ordered by Peter the Great but could not be used because the amount of powder it would take to fire a cannon ball from it would blow up the cannon itself. You can't see it in this picture but the sides of the cannon are beautifully carved and decorated. Cannon balls of the size that would have been fired are on the ground in front of it.

Cathedrals

I believe that there are four cathedrals within the Kremlin walls (I'll have to check the guide book!). I lost track of which was which, but one of these is the Cathedral of the Assumption where most of the Tsars were crowned over the centuries and I think where Nicholas II and Alexandra were married. I'll look that up and edit this post later. We couldn't take pictures inside but it was awesome to stand where the tsars and their families had worshipped for centuries. It's wonderful that these amazing buildings survived the Communist regime intact. I'm sure there was neglect and outright damage to them but if there was they have all been restored to a state of splendor.

Ivan the Great Bell Tower

Here's Lyndsey in front of the Ivan the Great Bell Tower.

The Armory

This beautiful 18th(?) century building was originally built to store the weapons for Tsar's military. Now it is a museum where the crown jewels are kept. We didn't get to go inside. :-(

Ugly Building

Unfortunately, the first building we saw when we entered the grounds was the stark Congress Hall built by the Communists in the 1950's. It is now used as a theater and there were holiday performances for children going on the day we were there. To my eye it is very much out of place with all the older, beautiful structures of the Kremlin, but it is as much a part of the history of the place as the churches and palaces.

Inside the Kremlin

On Friday, January 5 we had another day of touring Moscow. Our first stop was the Kremlin again. This time we were on the opposite side from Red Square and entered the main gate to tour inside the wall. Elena, the main guide for our group (on the left in the fur hood) left us in the capable hands of Sasha (her real name was Alexandra; she said if the monarchy was ever restored to Russia she should be Tsarina!) who took us into the Kremlin and told us all about it. Not all of our group did the Kremlin tour this day; some of the folks who had been there before preferred to use the time to go to the market at Ismailovo and do more shopping. I wouldn't have missed the tour for the world!

When we left the Blind and Deaf Orphanage and headed back to Moscow we passed the Monastery of St. Sergei, the patron saint of Russia. Beautiful! One of the early tsars asked Sergei to pray for victory over the Mongols who were attacking Moscow. When the victory was won, Sergei was given the credit . We begged the driver to stop for a photo opportunity and he did, even though we were running late. It's a good thing we did; one of the ladies got sick to her stomach and had to find a bathroom (there wasn't one on the bus). Our team leader and the translator went with her up to the Monastery and found an entrance and a public restroom on the other side of the complex. She was OK later but what a nightmare!

The Party Continues!

Just like we did at the other orphanages we moved into the gym where Grandfather Frost and the Snow Maiden led us in dances and games around the tree. The gym was brightly decorated and the kids were so excited. They each received a box of candy and would receive other presents later. It was such fun!