Amusement Palace

This was built in 1652 as a residential mansion for the boyar Ilya Miloslavsky.By order of Tsar Alexei Mikhailovich, the palace was altered and, startingin 1672, it began to be used for theatrical performances and various amusements.Hence its name. During repairs carried out in 1874-75, the appearance ofthe palace was changed drastically. On the side facing the Kremlin wall,a balcony supported by pillars was added to it; on the side facing thestreet, a white-stone portal ornamented with magnificently carved floralmotifs. The upper tier of the palace forms a terem chamber formerly housinga royal chapel. A turret supported by four pillars, used in its time asa belfry and watch-tower, is still intact over the palace's refectory.In the 19th century, the palace was enlarged and converted into a residencein which the Commandant of Moscow lived for a time. However, the main partof the building has remained unchanged, with decorative window surroundsof white stone.