Cathedral Square

Cathedral Square is the oldest part of the Kremlin. The composition of the square is unusually ceremonial and picturesque. It is surrounded by cathedrals, each of which is a masterpiece of Old-Russian architecture. On the south side, adjoining the Great Kremlin Palace, is the Cathedral of the Annunciation. To the right (west) of this is the Cathedral of Archangel Michael, the only one of the Kremlin cathedrals to have silver domes (though the central dome has recently been gilded). Next to this rises the Kremlin's tallest building, the Ivan the Great Bell-Tower, at the foot of which is the world's largest bell, the Tsar Bell. On the north side of the square, set back a little, stands the former Patriarch's Palace with the Cathedral of the Twelve Apostles. Another great tourist attraction, the Tsar Canon, is not far from this cathedral. Also on the north side of the square is the Cathedral of the Dormition, in which the tsars were crowned. To the left of this is the Church of the Deposition of the Robe. Between this church and the Palace of the Facets to the west, the east wall of the Terem Palace extends. The main streets of the Kremlin meet here, and formerly magnificent festive ceremonies took place on this square. Cathedral Square was originally formed at the beginning of 14th century, in the reign of Ivan Kalita. Since the great building and rebuilding operations of 1475 to about 1530, it has been the social and political centre of the Kremlin, and thus of Moscow.