Moscow: Places to Explore

Heart of Russia: The Kremlin and Red Square

Few places in the world possess the historic resonance of the Kremlin, the walled ancient heart of Moscow and the oldest part of the city. The first wooden structure was erected on this site sometime in the 12th century. As Moscow grew, the city followed the traditional pattern of Russian cities, developing in concentric circles around the elevated fortress at its center (kreml means "citadel" or "fortress"). After Moscow emerged as the center of a vast empire in the late 15th century, the Kremlin came to symbolize the mystery and power of Russia, as it has ever since. Before the black-suited men of the Bolshevik Revolution took over, tsars were ceremoniously crowned and buried here. In the 20th century the Kremlin became synonymous with the Soviet government, and "Kremlinologists," Western specialists who studied the movements of the politicians in and around the fortress, made careers out of trying to decipher Soviet Russian policies. Much has changed since the Soviet Union broke up, but the Kremlin itself remains mysteriously alluring. A visit to the ancient Kremlin grounds reveals many signs of the old—and new—Russian enigma.

You can buy tickets for the Kremlin grounds and cathedrals at the two kiosks on either side of the Kutafya Tower. Tickets, which cost 300R, grant you access to all the churches and temporary exhibits within the Kremlin. Tickets to the Armory Palace (Oruzheynaya Palata) and Diamond Fund (Almazny Fond) cost extra (350R each); you can buy them at the kiosks or at the entrances to these buildings. Tickets for the Diamond Fund are limited in number and are sold 1½ hours before the four showings each day. Between April and October tickets are also available for a changing-of-the-guard ceremony, which takes place on Saturday at noon. Tickets cost 1,000R and include entry to all the churches and temporary exhibits. Ignore scalpers selling tickets. Keep in mind that you need to buy a 50R ticket if you wish to take pictures with your camera, and that video cameras are not allowed. All heavy bags must be checked for about 60R at the kamera khraneniya, which is in Aleksandrovsky Sad (Alexander Garden), to the right down and behind the stairs from the ticket kiosks.

The best way to get to the Kremlin/Red Square area is to take the metro to one of the following stations: Ploschad Revolyutsii, Alexsandrovsky Sad, Borovitskaya, or Teatralnaya.