The tower is located in the southeast corner of the Kremlin triangle and was built in 1487-1488 by the Italian architect Marco Friazyn. It is named after the courtyard of the boyar Beklemishev, which adjoined it on the territory of the Kremlin. Under Vasily III, the courtyard along with the tower was turned into a prison for disgraced boyars. The modern name of the tower is associated with the nearby Moskvoretsky Bridge.

The tower played an important role in the defense of the Kremlin, as it was located at the junction of the Moskva River and the moat, and was the first to take the hit. This likely explains its architectural solution: a tall cylinder on a sloped white-stone base, separated by a semicircular ledge. The cylinder is pierced by narrow windows, and the tower is topped with machicolations and a fighting platform that is higher than the adjacent walls. A secret listening chamber was arranged in the basement to warn of mining.

In 1680, the tower was adorned with an octagonal structure topped with a high tent and two rows of loopholes, which softened its severity. In 1707, anticipating a possible attack by the Swedes, by order of Peter I, bastions were built at the foot of the tower, and the embrasures were widened for more powerful artillery.

After Napoleon's invasion, the tower was repaired. In 1917, during shelling, the top of the tower was damaged, but it was restored by 1920. In 1949, during restoration, the embrasures were returned to their original appearance. It is one of the few Kremlin towers that has not undergone significant reconstruction.

The main cylindrical volume of the tower consists of three tiers of round vaulted rooms, and the tent is open to its full height.

The height of the tower is 46.2 meters.