Bell Tower

The Ivan the Great Bell Tower, The Assumption Belfry and the Filaret's Extension

on Cathedral Square

It was constructed over 3 centuries, between 1505 and 1815.  It includes the pillar for the bell tower, the belfry for other bells and the annex or exhibition hall.

The ground floor of the Assumption Belfry houses an exhibition hall of Moscow Kremlin Museums.  Artworks are from the Kremlin's collections and those of other Russian and foreign museums.

Once the tallest building in Moscow, the 266 foot bell tower was built for the Russian Orthodox Cathedrals on Cathedral Square, namely the Assumption, Archangel and Annunciation which do not have their own belfries.

From 1329, Moscow's first stone bell tower stood on this site.  The church was erected by Grand Duke Ivan Kalita and was the first to be built of stone, rather than wood.  When major renovations of the Kremlin were taking place, a new church was erected in 1505.  A new and larger tower was also built on the foundations of the older tower which also served as an observation point against fires and the approach of enemies.

In 1532 to 1543 the belfry was adjoined to the tower.  It contains the Great Assumption Bell which was cast in the mid-19th century and is the biggest of all the Kremlin bells (65.5 tons).  The ensemble contains 22 large bells.  The new bell tower had 2 belfries on 2 levels.  Each bell has been given a name, has its own history and the date that it has been cast.  

Ochepny Method

the bell was swung from the ground by a lever

All of the buildings are made of brick and are whitewashed in accord with the neighboring buildings of Cathedral Square.  It has two octagonal drums surmounted by a gold dome and a seven meter high cross.  There are cut-out windows for the bells.  The walls at the base are 5 meters thick, which is why there is little room for a chapel.

Napoleon attempted to blow up the tower.  The blast destroyed the former church but the tower suffered only a few cracks in the foundation walls. 

from the front

from the side

from the back

No pictures were allowed inside.

Virtual Tour:

http://belltower.kreml.ru/en-Us/virtual tour/

About the museum:

http://www.kreml.ru/en-Us/about-museums/kremlin/

Or, see:  Museums of the Moscow Kremlin

visited:  Saturday, November 21, 2015