Kutafya Tower

The Kutafya Tower is reached from the Trinity Tower on the Trinity Bridge, built in 1516 by the architect Aloisio da Carezano over the Neglinnaya River (now flowing underground), which then served as a moat; the bridge was renovated in 1901. In 1780, the arch of the tower was dismantled and an embrasure (flared opening) was built on the western facade as a direct passage to the Trinity Gate. Like many other Kremlin towers, the Kutafya Tower was given a new superstructure in 1685, in this case a balustraded wall of open windows. The height of the tower is 13.5 metres (43 ft).