Cathedral Square of the Moscow Kremlin is a unique architectural historical monument. The main period of formation of the magnificent ensemble is the XV-XVI centuries.
How it all began
Strengthening the economic position of the Moscow principality led to the beginning of the construction of majestic churches and cathedrals. Princes Dmitry Donskoy and Ivan Kalita ordered the construction of temples, which later determined the structure of the layout and the spatial composition of the square. Unfortunately, the original structures have not been preserved. During the reign of Ivan the Third, new temples worthy of the capital of the great Russian state were erected in the same places.
Object purpose
From the very beginning of its appearance, the Cathedral Square of the Moscow Kremlin was used for various ceremonies and processions. At royal weddings, coronations and on the days of great church holidays, crowded events were held on its territory. The place at the porch of the Faceted Chamber was intended for a solemn meeting of foreign ambassadors. Funeral processions crossed the squareto the final resting place of patriarchs, metropolitans, kings and grand dukes.
Cathedral Square in Moscow in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries was more than once paved with stone slabs made of sandstone. For several decades of the twentieth century, it was asph alted. During the reconstruction of 1955, the square was resurfaced with stone pavement.
Objects that have not survived to this day
The ensemble of the Cathedral Square of the Moscow Kremlin has been repeatedly transformed. Initially, structures made of wood were erected around the perimeter. Some of them failed to survive during the constant fires in the capital, others simply dilapidated, after which new ones were erected in their place. Almost all the churches now standing on the Cathedral Square had predecessors. The most famous of the objects that do not exist today are the Church of the Deposition of the Robe, the Temple of the Solovetsky Wonderworkers, the Cathedrals of the Archangel, the Annunciation and the Assumption, the old Patriarch's Chambers.
There were buildings that were destroyed or seriously damaged by the enemy. So it was during the period of the Great Troubles (year 1612) and the invasion of Bonaparte (year 1812). For example, when the French troops retreated from the capital, the unique Filaret's extension to the bell tower of Ivan the Great was destroyed. The same fate awaited the nearby three-span belfry. The church of St. John of the Ladder has not been preserved either. It was erected by the decree of Ivan Kalita in 1329. The building had the shape of an octahedron with arches for bells located on the second tier. It was simply dismantled in the fifteenth century withthe purpose of freeing up the territory for the construction of a bell tower in honor of Ivan the Great.
The architectural appearance of the erected temples changed as time required. Some buildings have been updated with new chapters, cloisters and other elements.
Features of the architectural style
Cathedral Square of the Moscow Kremlin (photos are presented in the article) has some features characteristic of the architectural schools of the Vladimir-Suzdal Principality and Pskov. Masters, invited from the two indicated centers of domestic stone architecture, in the construction of churches and cathedrals not only adhered to classical techniques, but also introduced new ones. For example, during the construction of the Rizopolozhenskaya Church, a high basement was made for the first time. The Pskov school had a significant impact on the decorative design of facades. So, on many temples you can see curbs, ornamental belts on the drums of domes, runners, a three-bladed variant of finishing facades. As for the Vladimir-Suzdal school, its influence was most pronounced in the design of the Assumption Cathedral (narrow windows and an arched belt on the apses).
New style
On the basis of the synthesis of the outstanding features of the two architectural schools of regional importance in the fifteenth century, an early Moscow style arose, characteristic of stone architecture, which later became all-Russian. It was distinguished by keeled kokoshniks on the facades, elevated central parapets and girth arches. At the same time, the central drum of the dome is more and moreclearly shifted to the eastern zone of the volume of the structure.
Overseas influences
For some time Cathedral Square of the Moscow Kremlin was heavily influenced by the architecture of the Italian Renaissance. Despite the fact that the invited foreign architects tried to adhere to the traditional options for the construction of stone structures in Russia, the decorative design of the facades of some buildings (the Archangel Cathedral, the Faceted Chamber and others) is distinguished by elements characteristic of Florentine buildings. Among them are the design of window openings and tympanums, as well as ornaments. For example, Bon Fryazin for the first time in Russia used metal ties in the construction process. Subsequently, this seemingly insignificant element prevented the collapse of the Ivan the Great Bell Tower during an attempt to blow it up in 1812
A little about architects
Unfortunately, in the documents of the fifteenth century there are not many names of those who gave birth to the Cathedral Square of the Moscow Kremlin. The annals mention Krivtsov and Myshkin, the leaders of the artels of masons from Pskov, who were engaged in the construction of the Church of the Annunciation and the Church of the Robe.
Due to the lack of their own experienced architects, foreigners began to be invited to Moscow. One of the first Italian specialists to arrive was Aristotle Fioravanti. He led the process of building the Assumption Cathedral. The famous Palace of Facets was built by Marco Fryazin and Pier Antonio Solari. Early sixteenth centurythe construction of the Assumption Cathedral was headed by Aleviz Novy.
Bona Fryazina is called the most mysterious of the Italian masters. There is practically no information about his life and work. He supervised the process of building the first two tiers on the Ivan the Great Bell Tower. It happened in 1505-1508. His work was continued by Petrok Maly, also an Italian. He worked at the Kremlin construction sites for seventeen years (since 1522), his high skill and status confirms the title of architecton. Only two more Italians could boast of such recognition - Solari and Aleviz Novy.
Modernity
What does Cathedral Square of the Moscow Kremlin look like today? The scheme of the ensemble, of course, has changed over time. It is important to note that historians, restorers and other specialists have been working for several decades to restore the unique appearance of many monuments of culture and history. At present, an outstanding project of the XV-XVI centuries appears before admiring visitors in all its glory. Let's take a closer look at some of its elements.
Annunciation Cathedral
Cathedral Square of the Moscow Kremlin (the plan of the southwestern part reflects this) is known for the cathedral built by Pskov craftsmen in 1484-1489. From the reign of Ivan the Third to the beginning of the seventeenth century, the Annunciation Cathedral was the house church of the tsars of Russia. The temple, which is crowned with five gilded domes, is a harmonious composition in the style of the early Moscow architectural school. Inside ityou can admire the rarest examples of religious painting of the sixteenth century. Ideas about the mission of the Orthodox Church in Russia as the direct heir of Byzantium are expressed in a complex pictorial form.
Arkhangelsk Cathedral
Currently, this building serves as the tomb of many Russian rulers. It is located in the southeastern part of the central square. The decorative appearance of the temple was largely influenced by the principles of the Italian Renaissance school of architecture. The renovated cathedral was erected on the site of the temple of the Archangel Michael, seriously damaged by the storm (the fourteenth century of construction). The building successfully blended into the ensemble of the Kremlin.
The Faceted Chamber
This building was intended for holding court feasts and solemn ceremonies. It was erected in the period from 1487 to 1491. The Italian architects Ruffo and Solari supervised the construction. The design of the eastern facade of the building with faceted rustication and the arrangement of lancet windows are the result of the influence of Italian architecture. In the seventeenth century, the walls of the Chamber were painted by Ushakov himself.
Ivan the Great Bell Tower
The building's exterior is designed to symbolize the full power of Russia. For a long time, the bell tower was the tallest building in the capital and played an important role as the main watchtower of the Kremlin. It has become a standard for the construction of similar pillar-like temples throughout the state.
Assumption Cathedral
This is the main Orthodox church in Russia. It was erected on the model of the cathedral in Vladimir. Years of construction - 1475-1479. On the central dome at a heightForty-five meters, a gilded cross is installed. Within the walls of this temple, Russian rulers were crowned kings and Orthodox hierarchs were elevated to the rank. Today, many patriarchs and metropolitans of the country rest there. The bright central hall was painted by one hundred masters of their craft.
How to get there?
Where is Cathedral Square? The unique ensemble is located on the territory of the Moscow Kremlin. You can get to it by bus number 6 or trolleybuses number 1, 33 (get off at the stop "Borovitskaya Square"), as well as by metro (to the stations "Aleksandrovsky Sad", "Borovitskaya", "Arbatskaya", "Biblioteka im. Lenin).
Conclusion
Cathedral Square of the Moscow Kremlin (a map of the ensemble is presented in the article) is a grandiose project. During its five hundred years of history, it has repeatedly become a place where fateful historical events unfolded.
