The Kremlin, the word means fortress, while well known as the Soviet headquarters, dates back to earlier than the 14th century. Most of the cathedrals and fortifications were designed by Italians in the 15-16th centuries.

(44K) 672 x 450	The Kutafya Tower and Trinity gate.	(60K) 672 x 450	The Cathedral of the Assumption on the Right, Cathedral of the Archangel on the Left.
(46K) 672 x 450	Facade of Cathedral of the Assumption, which symbolizes Moscow's claim to lead the Russian Orthodox Church - the see was moved here in 1326, and the present church built in 1479.	(50K) 450 x 672	Cathedral of the Assumption, and in the background is the Church of the Deposition of the Robe, whose name refers to festival which was celebrated in Constantinople of the deposition of a robe believed to be from the Virgin Mary.
(53K) 672 x 450	The Cathedral of the Annunciation, which served as the private church of the dukes and tzars. Erected in 1449, it was restored in 1562 after a fire. A total of 9 domes!	(84K) 672 x 450	Triptych in the galleries of the Cathedral of the Annunciation
(57K) 672 x 450	Iconstasis in the Cathedral of the Annunciation dates from 1405 (having survived the fire) is regarded as the finest in Russia, done by the three masters: Theophanes the Greek, Andrei Rublev and Pokhor of Gorodets.	(57K) 672 x 450	The annunciation (as the Church is called) - but this one was added in the 19th century.
(35K) 450 x 672	In the Cathedral of the Archangel, built in 1508. The massive fresco of the face of Christ, seen in icons and sometimes called "not painted by human hands".	(72K) 450 x 672	Cathedral of the Archangel - side portion of the iconstasis which dates from 1813.
(37K) 450 x 672	The Ivan the Great belltower, erected in 1508, it dominated Moscow's skyline and was the tallest structure in Russia until 1707. It contains 21 bells (the 19th century Resurrection bell is 64 tons).	(46K) 672 x 450	The Cathedral of the Assumption, with the Patriarch's Palace and Church of the 12 Apostles in the background, associated with Patriarch Nikon, whose 17th century reforms of the Orthodox Church caused a schism.
(42K) 672 x 450	Most of the Kremlin, houses the government offices, is still off limits to visitors - here the Presidium, (the Latin word for protection, originally a school for Soviet Commanders) with the Savior Tower in the background.	(36K) 672 x 450	The Tzar's bell, the largest in the world at 200 tons, over 20 feet (6 meters) in height and diameter. As it was being made in 1737, a fire swept the Kremlin, and the water which was poured on the red hot bell caused it to crack.
(53K) 450 x 672	The Tzar Cannon outside the Church of the 12 Apostles, one of the largest ever made, weighing 40 tons, with a caliber of 890 mm (almost 3 feet). Made in 1586, but it was never fired in battle.	(62K) 720 x 578	Famous icon of the holy trinity, in the Church of the Deposition of the Robe. (By either Sidor Osipov or Ivan Borisov.)
(73K) 450 x 672	In the Cathedral of the Assumption. The holy door of the iconostasis, which is called the royal gate.	(74K) 672 x 450	The massive iconostasis dates from 1652, but also incorporates older icons.
(61K) 672 x 450	The walls, ceiling and pillars of the Cathedral of the Assumption are all covered with frescoes from the 1640s.	(65K) 672 x 450	Interior of the Cathedral of the Assumption. The pillars are painted with saints and martyrs, and notice the 46 branch Harvest Chandelier from 1812.
(76K) 672 x 450	Icon of our Lady, similar to the beloved Our Lady of Vladimir.	(66K) 672 x 450	Fresco's on the back wall depict the Apocalypse and Last Judgment.
(65K) 672 x 450	The ceiling above the back wall.	(56K) 672 x 450	The senate palace, commissioned by Catherine the Great and erected in the 18th century, it is now the residence of Russia's president since 1991.
(43K) 450 x 672	The arsenal on the left, with cannons captured during the Napoleonic wars. The St. Nicholas tower is in the background.

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