Aleksandrov’s Kremlin

The unique palace and temple complex of the Alexander Kremlin is the second largest after the Moscow Kremlin. Its main building is the Trinity Cathedral. It was erected in the sovereign court in 1513. The cathedral combines the early architecture of Moscow from the late fourteenth – early fifteenth century and the ornaments of Italian architects of the fifteenth-sixteenth centuries. The cathedral is decorated with white stone carvings and frescoes from the 16th century. Until today, near the Cathedral of the Trinity there are large copper doors of the fourteenth century, which were taken by Ivan the Terrible of Novgorod and Tver.

The Assumption Church of the 16th century is striking in its beauty. Under the church, large wineries are well preserved, where the vaults of Vasily III and Ivan the Terrible were located. Next to the Church of the Assumption there is a Tent Intercession Church. The exact date of the foundation of the church is unknown; It is believed that it was erected in the mid-16th century and was the church of the house of Tsar Ivan the Terrible. On the edges of his shop, a unique and incomparable mural painting was preserved, which was commissioned by the king. This is the only known painted tent of the 16th century in Russia. It represents the Russian princes and martyrs, along with the kings of the Old Testament and the righteous.

In the Kremlin building complex is the high bell tower of the 16th-century Crucifixion church, which dominates all the buildings. Small bell chambers next to the bell tower, in which the Russian Empress Elizaveta Petrovna spent several years in exile.

Inside the Kremlin are the exhibitions and exhibitions of the State Historical and Architectural Museum-Reserve “Alexandrovskaya Sloboda”.

The historical and architectural complex of the city of Alexandrov (130 km from Moscow) is part of the Golden Ring of Russia. Its palaces and temples were built by the best Russian and Italian architects who built the Moscow Kremlin. The architecture of the complex traces elements of the Vladimir-Suzdal style, the 16th-century Moscow architecture and the Italian Renaissance, you can see buildings from a later period. Royal palaces, white stone chambers, carp temples with murals form a unique ensemble that creates a unique atmosphere.

• Historical background
• What to see
• Excursions and interactive programs.
• Practical information
• Virtual tour

Historical background

In the early 16th century, Tsar Vasily III, the father of Ivan the Terrible, often rested in Aleksandrovskaya Sloboda. Later, a palace was built under him, renamed Alexander Kremlin. The Kremlin became known in history mainly thanks to Ivan the Terrible, who made it look like the state capital. It is believed that it was here that he established the oprichnina, organized the oprichny Boyarsky Duma. Under Ivan the Terrible, Alexander’s Kremlin became a place of negotiations with foreign ambassadors: interstate agreements, ambassadors from different states were signed here and the Pope came here.

After the murder of his son, Ivan the Terrible leaves this place forever.

In the 17th century, a convent of nuns appeared in the Kremlin, fortified walls were built, towers were built in the corners. After the October Revolution, the Soviet authorities closed the monastery and a museum was organized in the Kremlin and in the Trinity-Sergio Lavra.

Currently, the museum reserve and the newly recreated Monastery of the Holy Assumption coexist here.

What to see

The Kremlin is open to visitors throughout the year. In its churches of the Trinity, Asunción and Intercession Cathedral, hospitals and cell buildings there are about 20 permanent exhibitions.

One of the interesting exhibits in the Church of the Intercession is the 16th-century dining room. It reproduces the interior of the chambers, where they received ambassadors, boyards and guards, organized abundant parties.

Here visitors can get acquainted with the historical reconstructions of the royal menu and the table label of the time of Ivan the Terrible.

The exhibition dedicated to the legends and stories of the Alexander Kremlin is constantly working. Their materials tell, in particular, about the fate of the famous “Liberia” – the library, which, according to legend, belonged to the Byzantine emperors and met for several centuries. After the fall of Constantinople, he moved to Moscow and Ivan the Terrible became its owner. One version links the last location of the famous book collection with the Alexander Kremlin.

The “medieval cellars of the 16th century”, possible places of imprisonment and torture of the time of Ivan the Terrible are frightened. Climbing the bell tower of the Crucified Church, you can see the panorama of the Kremlin and the surroundings from a height.

Excursions and interactive programs.

So that the guests could feel the era of Ivan the Terrible, the organizers created many short interactive programs. The most popular of them:

“The Tsar’s Bride’s Choice” is a small theatrical representation of the bride, in which the guests participate under the guidance of a guide. Everything happens in medieval interiors and in stylized costumes (cost – 80 RUB per person). The prices on the page are for October 2018.
“Kvassnaya del Tsar”: a name of the Hearty courtyard chambers, traditions and recipes for cooking kvass and honey “cooked and prepared” for the Tsar’s table, and in the final tasting of real Russian kvass of old ladles (80 RUB per person).
“The samovar is in full swing, it does not tell you to go”: tea drinking gingerbread cookies in a merchant shop under the history of the traditions of “tea ceremonies” in Russia (80 RUB per person).
“Matchmaking” is an interactive program of the museum about the traditions and rites of the pairings between peasants of the 19th century. The guests play the role of matchmakers, mother, boyfriend, girlfriend and witnesses in folk costumes (RUB 80 per person).
The search game “In search of real treasures” is a game for children about the treasure hunt in the royal residence, during which they learn about the history of the Alexander Kremlin and the form of government of Tsar Ivan the Terrible (250 RUB per person).

Practical information

Address: Alexandrov, Vladimir region, Museum of passage, 20. Website.
The museum is open every day from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., Fridays from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., the holiday is Monday; from June to September on Fridays from 12:00 to 19:00, on Saturdays from 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Cost: an individual ticket for all exhibitions for adults – RUB 380, for students – 320 RUB, for children under 16 years – free of charge; A tourist tour for adults – 400 RUB, for students – 370 RUB, for students – 320 RUB. The duration of the program is 2 hours, the minimum composition of the group is 5 people.

Virtual tour