Kolomna is one of the most beautiful cities in the Moscow region. In addition to ancient towers, houses decorated with carved painted shutters, this city is also famous for the museum of marshmallows prepared according to original recipes. Well, the main attraction is, of course, the Kolomna Kremlin.
How it all began…
The first records of the formation of Kolomna are found in the Laurentian Chronicle of 1177, which later served as the date of the founding of the city itself. At that time, wooden buildings already existed as protection - the raids from the Golden Horde practically did not stop. For four centuries, the wooden Kremlin was repeatedly destroyed - about six times it was burned by the Horde khans during their attacks on Russia.
The constant devastating raids of the Tatars were the reason for the construction of a stone fortress that protects the inhabitants from enemies. By decree of Prince Vasily III in 1525, the construction of this building in the city of Kolomna began.
The Kremlin, rebuilt and fortified, waspolyhedron resembling an oval. Each wall along the entire perimeter has towers that served as protection for the soldiers during the defense. The Kremlin was located more than conveniently: in the north and northwest, access to the city was blocked by the Moscow and Kolomenka rivers. The remaining sides were surrounded by a deep moat. The fortress reached a height of about 20 meters, the width of the lower part of the walls was 4.5 meters, the upper - 3 meters.
The construction of this facility affected the life of the entire Moscow principality. During this time, many residents of both adjacent villages and the city of Kolomna were attracted.
Kremlin - the history of creation continues
The power of the Mongol-Tatar yoke was defeated. However, the attacks on the city did not end there. Here and there, for another century, popular unrest and peasant uprisings broke out periodically, but the Kremlin stoically guarded its inhabitants. For a long time he served as a defensive force, and no one managed to penetrate into the very heart of the fortress. But by the middle of the 17th century, the borders of the Moscow state began to move away from the city. Its main activity was the organization of trade relations between other states. It was already a new large industrial center Kolomna. The Kremlin, having lost its original status of a military fortress, was gradually destroyed by the inhabitants. And only in 1826, by decree of Nicholas I, the restoration of the remaining buildings began.
The Kremlin today
At the moment, this is the main attraction of the city of Kolomna. The Kremlin - you can see a photo of it in the article - is located next to the river, which gavehim his name. Along the walls stretch towers that have been preserved. To date, there are 7 of them left out of 17 existing until the middle of the 17th century. However, the Kremlin is still an architectural monument that inspires power and strength. As in medieval times, entire settlements were formed inside the fortress, so these towers, miraculously surviving, reliably guard their small town, which has an amazing history passed down from generation to generation in the city of Kolomna.
The Kremlin is rich in cultural and architectural heritage. The main attraction, of course, is Cathedral Square. Here you can also see the Assumption Cathedral, built in the 14th century. Dmitry Donskoy ordered to build it in honor of the long-awaited victory of the Russian army against the Tatar-Mongols in the well-known Kulikovo battle. Nearby is the Church of the Resurrection. It is one of the oldest buildings built here. According to legend, it was here that the wedding of Grand Duke Dmitry Donskoy and Evdokia of Suzdal took place.
Inside the great building there is also a hipped bell tower, which can rightfully be called the loudest and most sonorous belfry in all of Russia, not only in the city of Kolomna.
Kolomensky Kremlin also includes a military-historical complex of a sports and cultural type. Its opening happened relatively recently, but it has already managed to fall in love not only with residents, but also with tourists. Various competitions of wrestlers, knightly tournaments for honor are held here.noble lady, fairs are organized, as well as festive folk festivals. Everyone can try on the role of a brave warrior thanks to the available weapons and uniforms from the time of the reign of the great princes of Russia.
Marina Mniszek is a recluse involuntarily
The tallest tower in the Kremlin is Kolomenskaya. During the uprisings, it also served as a guard post, since it provided an excellent overview of the area. The height is about 30 meters. The tower includes 8 floors, and the windows located along the entire diameter in a checkerboard pattern allowed the soldiers to follow the enemies and not weaken the defense for a minute. Several names have been given to this tower. However, "Marinkina" turned out to be the most popular. There is a legend that the wife of False Dmitry was imprisoned here. Here Marina Mnishek lived, waiting for salvation in the person of ataman I. Zarutsky. She soon managed to escape, but the joy did not last long. The impostor was soon caught, and until her death she lived in her tower, not seeing the white light. They say that then she turned into a magpie and nevertheless broke free. But this is nothing more than a beautiful legend. At the moment, in the place of detention of Marina Mnishek, the cell has been restored, in which the unfortunate queen whiled away for many years.
And the name - Marinkina - subsequently took root, and the tower began to be called that way.
Border locked…
Residents, fearing constant attacks from the Tatars, tried to secure their lives as best as possible. Only by passing through the gate could one enterthe city of Kolomna. The Kremlin was securely guarded from all sides.
The most important were the Pyatnitsky gates, located on the east side. The tower, which was nearby, is two-tiered. Its height is 29 meters and its diameter is 13 meters. The bell, mounted on the top, performed an important mission - with its help, the soldiers gave a signal when they saw the approach of dangerous opponents. The tower has survived to this day.
The Ivanovo gates were next in importance. But, unfortunately, at the beginning of the 19th century, they - like Oblique and Vodyany - were destroyed. They were not restored.
Mikhailovsky Gates are located between two towers - Marinkina and Granovita. They were founded in the 16th century. Over time, the masonry gradually collapsed, but most recently the gates were restored. Today you can see them by visiting Kolomna.
The Kremlin today, therefore, out of 6 gates erected in the 16th century, has only 2. But they are an amazing sight and keep a long history of creation and opposition to the enemy.
Through the streets of the Kremlin…
The tour of this wonderful architectural structure starts at the Square of Two Revolutions. A real policeman takes you inside, and here all the magic begins … The main street of the Kremlin is named after the writer I. I. Lazhechnikov, who was born in these places. On its left side are the Assumption Cathedral and the Church of the Assumption of the Virgin.
One ofThe distinctive features of the Kremlin are residential buildings inside the building itself. Basically, these are noble estates that have retained their appearance from the period of the conquests of the Grand Dukes and are literally saturated with the spirit of that era. Carved shutters, elegant fences, well-groomed yards - all this shows that history is alive, and time has no power over it.
You can also see buildings that gained popularity during the prosperity of trade and merchant relations in the city of Kolomna.
Kremlin - how to get to the heart of the city?
You already know that the most famous landmark of the city of Kolomna is the Kremlin. Any resident can also tell his address - st. Lazhechnikova, house number 5. You can get to the Kremlin from the Russian capital by bus from the Vykhino metro station. Also every day trains run from Kazansky railway station to Two Revolutions Square. Entrance is possible from Lazhechnikova Street or near the Yamskaya Tower. The Kolomna Kremlin is open 24/7. Anyone can enter for free. The organization of the excursion and its cost should be agreed in advance with the employees of the Kremlin museums.
Pride of the country
In 2013, the Russia-10 multimedia contest was launched to select the best architectural monuments. Among the other most famous sights was the Kolomna Kremlin. From the very first days, the Kadyrov Mosque "Heart of Chechnya" became the leader. However, at the second stage of the project, the Kremlin was ahead of the aforementioned architectural monument. As a result, these two attractions, due to the large margin of votes from the rest, wererecognized as early winners of the contest.
What else is there to see?
Undoubtedly, the most important architectural monument of such an ancient settlement as Kolomna is the Kremlin. Attractions, however, this city is quite diverse. Each of them has its own uniqueness and originality, as well as a rich historical past. Among other things, the following museums can be distinguished: marshmallows, kalach. In them you can learn the history of the creation of each food product, taste them. Kolomna mead is also known throughout the region, which everyone should try when they get to this amazing place.
