Taynitskaya Tower played a key role in the defense of the river side of the Kremlin. It was built with a secret well and a hidden exit to the Moskva River, had a shooting gallery connected to the tower by a stone bridge, and included passage gates. The shooting gallery could be accessed via a drawbridge.

In the 17th century, the tower acquired a fire protection function. Until 1674, it had a clock with chimes. In the 1670s-1680s, a tented roof was built over the massive base of the tower. In 1770-1771, due to plans for the construction of the Kremlin Palace, Taynitskaya Tower was dismantled, and in 1783 it was restored without the shooting gallery. In 1812, it suffered from explosions, but was rebuilt again in 1816-1818. In 1862, the shooting gallery was restored in the style of the 17th century.

In 1930-1933, the tower was renovated, during which the shooting gallery was dismantled again, the well was filled in, and the passage gates were bricked up from the outside.

The height of Taynitskaya Tower is 38.4 meters.