The Wood's Wayward Wanderings Two: The Armoury

The Armoury was originally responsible for producing, purchasing and storing weapons, jewelry and various household articles of the tsars. The finest gunsmiths, painters and jewelers worked there. In 1640 they opened studios where lessons on painting and handicrafts could be given.

In 1806 it was named the first public museum in Moscow. Even though construction was completed in 1810, it was not possible to open the museum due to the invasion of Napoleon in 1812.

The current building was erected in 1844-1851. It is part of the Grand Kremlin's Palace complex and has 9 halls and over 4,000 items. The collection contains ancient state regalia, ceremonial tsar vestments, coronation dress, vestments of the Russian Orthodox Church's hierarchs, the largest collection of gold and silverware by Russian craftsmen, ceremonial weapons and arms, carriages and horse ceremonial harness. It is also home to the Russian Diamond Fund.

Productions of the Faberge firm

Coronation dress by Empress Catherine II

Russia. 1762. Brocade.

The Russian Diamond Fund is a separate collection of Russian state jewels. It also has Catherine the Great's coronation crown, the world's largest sapphire, the famous Orlov diamond, and natural gold nuggets. In 1968 it became a permanent collection.