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The Kremlin, Moscow’s fortress, was the kernel from which the city developed. The churches and palaces here have long been of the greatest historical and cultural importance. In the Soviet times the Kremlin was the seat of the Soviet government; nowadays President Putin’s office is here. The modern Kremlin dates from the end of the 15th century. During the tour one will see the famous cathedrals of the Assumption, Archangel and Annunciation, Ivan the Great Bell Tower as well as the Tsar Bell and Tsar Cannon.
The Armoury Museum as an institution dates back to the mid-16th century. Later it came to incorporate the gold and silver workshops of the Kremlin. At present the museum houses the treasures of the Russian tsars among which are crowns, thrones, regalia, carriages, clothing, vestments, diplomatic gifts, gold, silver, arms, armour. Faberge jewellery including some of the celebrated Easer eggs, presents one of the highlights of the collection.
Sergiev Posad, previously known as Zagorsk, is 75 km from Moscow. The excursion will take you to the Trinity Monastery of St Sergius, one of Russia’s most important religious and historical landmarks and a place of spiritual pilgrimage. The monastery was founded in 1345 by Sergius of Radonezh.
St.Basil’s Cathedral, apart from the Kremlin, is one of the oldest buildings in Red Square, built in 1560 under the order of Ivan the Terrible.
Red Square history reaches back to the 15th century when it was a market place. In the 16th century it became a ceremonial place. The present day appellation of the square dates from the 17th century, though in the usage of those days the Russian equivalent of the word “red” meant “beautiful”, For centuries it has remained the centre of Moscow life, famous for military parades and festivals.
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