One of the main attractions of Moscow, and of Russia as a whole, is the huge Kremlin and the square adjacent to it. Surrounded by a huge stone wall, it has as many as twenty towers installed along the perimeter. Each of them keeps its own history, secret.
The Kremlin and its towers
Starting from the southeast corner and moving forward clockwise, you can see all the diversity and splendor of this architectural structure.
The first on the way is the Beklemishevskaya tower, later referred to as Moskvoretskaya. The next one is Konstantin-Eleninskaya, previously called Timofeevskaya in honor of the nearby gates. And if you pass eleven more tall buildings, the Borovitskaya Tower opens up.
An interesting fact is that all the buildings were built at different times under the guidance of foreign architects. At the same time, they have truly Russian features and character. The only unique of its kind and not quite fitting into the overall ensemble is the Nikolskaya Tower. It was built later and inherited the features of Gothic buildings. All corner towers are rounded, the rest, located along the perimeter of the wall, aretetrahedral.
History
Today it is reliably known that the first settlements on the territory of the Moscow Kremlin existed in the Bronze Age. And only in 1156 the first structures were built to strengthen the territory and protect against frequent enemy raids. The walls were surrounded by a deep moat.
This architectural structure survived quite difficult and turbulent times. And now the moment comes when Moscow acquires the status of the capital of all the principalities and cities of Russia. Then comes the discrepancy between the ancient Kremlin and modern trends. The era of great construction begins.
Aristotle Fioravanti, Petro Solari, Marco Ruffo, Aleviz Novy, Bon Fryazin - all these architects were invited from Italy in order to breathe new life into architecture. However, it is worth noting that, working closely with Russian craftsmen, they adopted the style and character of Soviet buildings. At the same time, local conditions were taken into account. This is how the modern look of the Kremlin, Borovitskaya, Beklemishevskaya and all the other towers appeared.
Borovitskaya Tower: from past to present
As evidenced by ancient records, back in the year 61 of the 14th century, on the site of a modern building, there was a building of the same name. The modern Borovitskaya tower of the Moscow Kremlin appeared thirty years later, at the end of the 14th century. The author was a foreign architect known as Pyotr Fryazin. He arrived from Italy to Russia at the invitation of the Tsar.
In the 16th and 17th centuries, the tower acted as a passage to the Zhitny and Konyushenny yards, to get to whichthrough the main gate was not possible.
In the middle of the sixteenth century, the Borovitskaya Tower received its new name - Predtechenskaya, in honor of the church, which was located in the Kremlin. However, despite all efforts, the name never caught on.
Once upon a time, the icon of John the Baptist was located above the Borovitsky Gate. But at the beginning of the nineteenth century, when the construction of metro lines was actively taking place, the temple of the same name was destroyed. The icon has been lost, and a clock has appeared in its original place.
Architecture
Initially, the Borovitskaya tower was much lower and consisted of one wide rectangular building. On top of it was a roof in the form of a tent, made of wood.
However, after 1666, for several decades, it began to take on a completely new shape. Firstly, three more superstructures appeared, which are gradually decreasing in size, giving a certain pyramidal shape to the structure. Secondly, the very top was decorated with a tall octahedron with a stone roof, striving for the sky.
Soon, an archery and lattice gates appeared on the side of the tower. A bridge was thrown over the river, which could be raised.
The eighteenth century brought with it both calm days and quite difficult ones. Just a few years after the restoration, when the tower acquired beautiful white stone details, the capital is attacked by Napoleon's army. Dozens of historical monuments were destroyed, fortunately, the tower suffered little damage. The blast wave demolished her tent.
After that, the building was put in order for three years. It is during this period that a clock appears above the entrance.
In the middle of the eighteenth century, the tower was converted into a church. The necessary utensils and the throne are transferred there. Pseudo-Gothic details are removed, but they reappear at the end of the 19th century. And above the gates, an image of the Moscow coat of arms is installed. As you can see, the history of the Borovitskaya Tower is filled with various events. Construction, destruction, restoration, change of purpose and nature of use - all this was reflected in the structure and created the look that can be seen today.
The tower was last renovated nine years ago.
Interior
If you look inside, you can see that the Borovitskaya tower of the Moscow Kremlin on its lower quadrangle (lower rectangular structure) is divided into tiers. From here you can go to the basement, which today is dilapidated. In another part of the quadrangle, elements that once adorned the church were preserved.
A built-in staircase leads visitors to the second floor, which has rectangular windows. The last two quarters are combined into one room, the octagon and the tent installed on it have an identical design.
Gate
However, not only the Borovitskaya Tower is remarkable. Find out below how to get to it. And, having got to the right place, you will notice that there is an extension nearby. This is a gate and a diversion archer. The latter connects with the tower at its very bottom, the passage leads to the basementparts. If you look at the building from above, you can see that it has a triangular shape.
Looking above the gate reveals two narrow openings. Once they served as a place for huge chains, which, if necessary, raised the bridge. And if, passing through the gate, look up, you can see the recesses that hid the iron grate. Historians say that these gates appeared among the first in comparison with the others in the Kremlin. In addition, quite old images of coats of arms have been preserved on them, the origin of which has not yet been established.
Bridge
Today it is already difficult to imagine the former view of nature that surrounded the Kremlin walls. The Neglinnaya River, now taken into pipes, was located along the entire western wall. These were marshy and swampy places. Directly at the tower itself, the riverbed abruptly turned and went to the side. A stone bridge was built here in the 16th century.
For strengthening and greater protection, the channel was decided to be brought closer to the tower. Relevant work has been carried out. As a fortress, it was a great decision. However, questions arose: how accessible would the Borovitskaya tower of the Kremlin be, how to get to the right place through stormy waters for the princely troops? The solution was found in the form of a suspension bridge.
Today, there is no trace of this structure, due to the loss of its purpose, it was destroyed.
Guide
The Borovitskaya Tower of the Moscow Kremlin looks quite interesting and picturesque. How to get to it by subway? It's enoughsimply. The main landmarks can be Borovitskaya Square and Alexander Garden. It is these places that are located in close proximity to the tower.
There are four metro stations to get off at the garden:
- "Arbatskaya" (Arbatsko-Pokrovskaya blue line No. 3);
- "Alexander Garden" (Filyovskaya Blue Line No. 4);
- "Library named after Lenin" (red line No. 1);
- "Borovitskaya" (gray line No. 9).
Thus, access to this wonderful attraction is open from anywhere in Moscow.
