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, starting in 1672, it began to be used for theatrical performances and various amusements. Hence its name. During repairs carried out in 1874-75, the appearance of the palace was changed drastically. On the side facing the Kremlin wall, a balcony supported by pillars was added to it; on the side facing the street, a white-stone portal ornamented with magnificently carved floral motifs. The upper tier of the palace forms a terem chamber formerly housing a royal chapel. A turret supported by four pillars, used in its time as a belfry and watch-tower, is still intact over the palace's refectory. In the 19th century, the palace was enlarged and converted into a residence in which the Commandant of Moscow lived for a time. However, the main part of the building has remained unchanged, with decorative window surrounds of white stone.