Grand Prince Ivan III (1440-1505) - a talented statesmen and diplomat. During the reign of Ivan III, the unification of the Russian principalities was finished and Moscow become the capital of a centralized Russian state. The Tatar-Mongol yoke was cast off at last (after 250 years). The new political importance of Moscow as the capital demanded that Ivan III's residence should be majestic and impressive. Over a period of 35 years, the Kremlin was completely rebuilt. The Kremlin was to become a fitting place for official ceremonies, religious festivals and court processions. Ivan III invited masters from Pskov, Novgorod, and Vladimir, as well as masters from Italy which was famous for its architects and engineers. The Dormition Cathedral, the Annunciation Cathedral and the Faceted Hall (Palace of the Facets) were built during his reign. Ivan III was buried in the Archangel Michael Cathedral.

Ivan the Terrible (Ivan IV) - the Grand Prince of all Russia from 1533 and the first Russian Tsar from 1547. He was nicknamed "the Terrible" because of his cruelty and suspiciousness. The Khanate of Kazan was subjugated by the tsar's army in 1552. Ivan the Terrible ordered builders to erect a cathedral to commemorate the great Russian conquest - the Intercession Cathedral. Ivan IV established the oprichnina (special administrative elite) to support the autocracy. During the reign of Ivan the Terrible, trading relations were established between Russia and the Great Britain. The first printing-house was established by the order of Ivan IV. Ivan IV was buried in the Archangel Cathedral.

Osip Ivanovich Bove (1784-1834) - an architect. One of the representatives of Empire. He was born in the family of an Italian painter. In 1802-1807 he studied at the architectural school. After 1807 he worked in Moscow as an assistant, helping M.F. Kazakov and K.U. Rossi in their work in Moscow and Tver. After the Great Fire of Moscow in 1812, he worked as the General Architect in the projects of reconstruction of Moscow. He took part in the reconstruction of Red Square in 1815, creation of Theatrical Square with its Bolshoy Theatre in 1821-24, establishment of Aleksandrovsky Park, and construction of many other buildings which have since been rebuilt. He died in 1834 and was buried in the Donskoy cemetery.

Dionisius (c. 1440-after 1503) - an artist. During his life he painted many churches, among which was the Cathedral of the Dormition in the Kremlin. The characteristic feature of his frescos and icons was the light and joyful colours. But in general, he paid more attention to the outer world of his works than to the inner one. Many of his works are kept in the Tretiakov Gallery now.

Dmitry Ivanovich Donskoy (1350-1389) - the Grand Duke of Moscow and Vladimir. He was awarded his nickname "Donskoy" after the victory at the Kulikov Field (near the Don River) in 1380. He did his best in saving Moscow, the capital of his possessions. In 1367, on the place where the old Kremlin wooden fortress had been burned, he ordered the building of new walls made out of stone. Consequently, two attempts of Litvanian Prince Olgerd to capture Moscow failed. Moscow became the capital of Russia during the government of Donskoy. He was buried in the Archangel Cathedral in the Kremlin.

Aristotle Fioravanti (c. 1414-c.1486) - an engineer. He was one of the famous engineers and Kremlin which were made of white stones and decided to build new ones made of red bricks. But he didn't realize his plans. He visited Vladimir and researched the Cathedral of the Dormition there. In 1505-1508 he built the Cathedral of the Dormition in the Kremlin in Moscow, but it was much more beautiful than the cathedral in Vladimir.

Alevis Fryazin the Elder (Alevis Milanetz) - an architect. He lived at the end of the 15th and the beginning of the 16th century. He was an Italian. He arrived to Moscow from Milan at the invitation of Ivan the Third in 1504. In 1494-1499 he rebuilt the walls and towers of the Kremlin along the Neglinnaya River, built the chambers made of stones in the Kremlin, and made the deep ditch along the Kremlin walls (which was later filled up in the 19th century).

Alevis Fryazin (Alevis Novi) - an architect. He was born at the end of 15th century, died at the beginning of 16th century. He was an Italian. He arrived to Moscow from Milan at the invitation of Ivan the Third. He built the Archangel Cathedral in the Kremlin in 1505-1508. According to chroniclers he built 11 other churches in different parts of Moscow but they have not been well preserved.

Ivan I Kalita (Money Bag) (?-1340) - the Prince of Moscow beginning in 1325 and the Grand Duke of Vladimir beginning in 1328. During all of the 16th century, Moscow was competing with Rjazan, Novgorod and Tver for supremacy in Russia, and Ivan Kalita played a major role in this fight. During his government, Moscow became an important economical, political and religious centre. He received his nickname "Kalita" (which means "purse") because he was very prudent and careful politician. He directed extensive construction in Moscow. There were several churches built in a rather short time (1326-1333). In 1339-1340, there were new walls, which were made out of oak, built around the Kremlin. The Kremlin was surrounded by a deep ditch filled with water and by an earth bank. Ivan Kalita ied in 1340 and was buried in the Archangel Cathedral in the Kremlin.

Matvei Fedorovich Kazakov (1738-1812) - an architect. He was one of the founders of Classicism in Russian architecture. He was born in Moscow and studied in the architectural school. His teacher was Uchtomsky. In 1768-74 he worked as an assistant and helped Bashenov on his project of the Great Kremlin Palace. He was the designer of several public buildings, including the buildings of the Senate, the University, Golitsen's and Pavlov's hospitals, several churches and others. Kazakov was the founder of the architectural school, and his students included Egotov, Bakarev, Bove and others.

Napoleon Bonaparte (1769-1821) - emperor of France, outstanding military general and great statesman. Under his leadership, the French army began its attack against Russia on the 12th of June 1812. It was the beginning of the Patriotic War. The Russian army suffered a defeat and, on the 2nd of September, 1812, left Moscow. But, under circumstances of starvation, Napoleon understood the difficulties of continuing the war, and came to the conclusion to leave Moscow. Napoleon ordered his troops to blow up the Kremlin, but the explosion failed as it was raining cats and dogs, and the fire was calmed down. Nevertheless, there was great damage. He managed to blow up the Armory Chamber, the Ivan the Great Bell Tower, and the tops of the Pinewood and St.Nicholas Towers. The reconstruction of the Kremlin was done under the leadership of O.Bove.

Andrei Rublyov (c. 1360/70-1427) - a great painter. He was the founder of the Moscow Art School. His works (icons and frescos) in Cathedral of the Annunciation in the Kremlin were failed. His famous work, "Troitza," was painted at the end of the 14th - beginning of the 15th century. Some of his frescos are kept in the Cathedral of the Dormition at Vladimir now. Rublyov was buried at the Andronikov Convent, where in 1947, the Museum of the Russian Ancient Art, named after Rublyov, was founded.

Marco Ruffo (Marco Fryazin) - Italian architect of the 15th century. According to chroniclers, he worked in Moscow in 1487-1491. After 1485 he took part in construction of the Kremlin walls and towers made out of bricks. Together with Pietro Solari, he built the Palace of the Facets.

Aleksei Viktorovich Shchusev (1873-1949) - an architect, Honoured Architect of the USSR (1930), Academician of the Academy of Science of the USSR (1943). He studied in the St. Petersburg Academy of Art (1891-1897). After 1910 he was the academician of Academy of Art. He also was the Director of Tretiakov Gallery (1926-1929), and the Manager and Director of the Museum of Architecture. He took part in the reconstruction of the building of Kazansky Station (1913-1926), and worked on the first project of the plan of reconstruction for Moscow (1918-1925). The Lenin Mausoleum was built under the direction of Shchusev. He was buried at the Novodevichje Cemetery.

Pietro Antonio Solari (Peter Fryazin) (1450-1493) - an Italian architect. After 1490 he worked in Russia. He took part in the construction of the walls and towers of the Kremlin, and built the Palace of the Facets together with Marco Fryazin.

Konstantin Andreyevich Thon (1794-1881) - a Russian architect. He studied at the St. Petersburg Academy of Art. His teacher was Voronihin. In 1819 he was sent to Italy where he worked until 1829. In Russia, he built the Temple of Isus the Rescuer, which was destroyed after the Great October Social Revolution. He also built the Great Kremlin Palace and Armory Chamber in the Kremlin.