The Grand Kremlin Palace, former residence of Russian emperors, is located in the Moscow Kremlin. It was built between 1838 and 1849 by a group of architects led by K. A. Ton on the orders of Emperor Nicholas I. The architectural ensemble includes the Terem Palace, the Faceted Chamber, the Armory, the apartments of the Grand Dukes, palace churches, and other structures. The palace has over seven hundred rooms dating from the 14th to the 20th centuries. In 1918, the palace became the residence of the Soviet government, and in 1934 it was partially reconstructed. In 1994 and 1999, the halls were renovated to restore their original appearance. As of 2021, the Grand Kremlin Palace houses the residences of the President of Russia and the Patriarch of Moscow and all Rus. Tours of the palace are conducted by appointment only.

Construction

The first princely terem on the site of the modern palace appeared in the 14th century under Dmitry Donskoy. It featured the only clock in Moscow, and the roof was covered with gold. The terem was replaced by grand princely stone chambers built under the guidance of the Italian architect Alevis Frazin. Construction began in 1499 under Ivan III and was completed in 1508 under his son Vasily III.

In 1730, Empress Anna Ioannovna made changes to the chambers, building wooden apartments in the baroque style known as the "Winter Annenhof." Elizabeth Petrovna expanded the building in 1752, creating a new residence resembling the Grand Peterhof Palace, named the "New" or "Winter Palace." The work was carried out according to the designs of architects K. B. and F. B. Rastrelli.

Catherine II considered the palace outdated and decided to build a more grandiose structure. In 1768, architect V. Bazhenov created a model, and space was cleared for construction by demolishing old buildings and part of the Kremlin wall. However, in 1774, the project was deemed too expensive and was halted. Instead, a modest Senate building was constructed, and the demolished parts of the Kremlin wall were restored.

In 1837, Nicholas I commissioned architect K. Ton, the author of the Christ the Savior Cathedral project, to build a new palace. Construction began in 1838 and was completed in 1849. The palace was consecrated by Metropolitan Philaret in the presence of the tsar.

Architecture

The Grand Kremlin Palace includes a complex of buildings, including ancient structures from the 14th to 17th centuries: the Faceted and Golden Tsarina Chambers, the Terem Palace, and nine churches. In 1851, the Armory and apartments were added, connected to the palace by a gallery. The main facade of the building, 125 m long and 47 m high, faces the Moscow River. The building has two floors, although it appears three-story due to the two tiers of windows on the second floor. The architecture includes modern solutions for the time, such as large spans with metal structures and the use of cement.

Residence of the Soviet Government

During the October Revolution, the building was damaged by shelling, but its overall condition remained satisfactory. In 1918, the Soviet government moved to Moscow and placed its offices and apartments for party workers in the palace. In 1934, it was decided to carry out reconstruction to organize a dining room for the delegates of the party congress. The Red Porch and the Church of the Savior on Bor were demolished, and the Alexandrovsky and Andreevsky halls were combined.

The Palace during the Great Patriotic War

During the war, the Kremlin ensemble was camouflaged for protection against air raids. The building was damaged by bombings, but the government continued to work in its offices. In 1945, a reception was held here in honor of the participants of the Victory Parade.

Restoration of the Historical Appearance

In the late 20th century, work was carried out to restore the historical appearance of the palace. Original paintings were returned, inlays were updated, upholstery was replaced, and the grand staircase was restored. After the collapse of the USSR, at the request of the first President of Russia Yeltsin, the combined halls were restored, and imperial thrones were returned. The facade of the palace was restored to its former appearance, including bas-reliefs with the coat of arms of Russia.

The Palace Today

Today, the Grand Kremlin Palace serves as the residence of the President of the Russian Federation. Official events are held here, such as award ceremonies in the Georgievsky Hall and inaugurations in the Andreevsky Hall. The palace is open to visitors, but tours are conducted by appointment only. Guests have access to the Terem Palace, the Faceted Chamber, the Private Half, the Golden Tsarina Chamber, the Emperor's office, and the ceremonial halls, except for the Catherine Hall.