Moscow Kremlin

About this place

The Moscow Kremlin is a fortified complex at the heart of the capital, with five palaces and four cathedrals inside a long wall with many towers. In Russian the word kremlin means a fortress within a city, and many cities have one, but this is the best known. It overlooks the Moskva River to the south, Red Square to the east and Alexander Garden to the west. The Meryans lived on the site from the 2nd century BC, and Slavs occupied part of Borovitsky Hill from the 11th century. Inside stands the Grand Kremlin Palace, once a residence of the tsars and now the residence of the president of Russia. The Moscow Kremlin Museums run public visits at the times when it is open. From the riverbank you see a long red wall topped by green-roofed towers, with gold and white domes and the tall Ivan the Great Bell Tower behind. Inside is Cathedral Square, the finest part open to visitors, seen from outside among white and yellow buildings. The Armoury holds historic collections of crowns, carriages and old arms. Red Square is under half a kilometre away in a straight line, and the entrance is from Alexander Garden. Book a ticket ahead and expect a security check, as large bags are usually banned. Do not take photos near official areas if told not to. The UK Foreign Office advises against all travel to Russia, and non-Russian bank cards may not work, so read the current advice before you plan.