Moscow is one of the major historical cities of the world which is full of palaces, cathedrals, and religious historical sites. One can undoubtedly recognize the value of cathedrals in Moscow by having a simple journey through the city. For instance, the Kremlin complex inside Red Square has three cathedrals and several churches at Cathedral Square. One of the religious places, which is also one of the most famous ones of them, is Ivan the Great Bell Tower. One could quickly find the tower from any part of the city for centuries, by only a slight look at the center of the city.
This 81-meter-high tower locates at the Kremlin’s Cathedral Square, and for centuries no one was allowed to build a structure taller than the tower inside the city. Thought this tower wasn’t built at once, several features added to the tower throughout its existence. Ivan the Great commissioned the Italian architect, Marco Bono to build a bell tower in the Cathedral Square for the Cathedral of Assumption, the Cathedral of Archangel, and the Cathedral of Annunciation in 1505. He completed the task in 1508.
Almost thirty years later, Petrok Maliy, another Italian architect built a four-story belfry for the Assumption Cathedral, which currently houses the biggest bell of the tower. The 64-ton Resurrection Bell was added in the 19th century, and it only rang on the occasional ceremonies such as Easter. The Filaret Tower which has a tent-like roof annexed to the complex in 1624. The two golden domes of the tower which resemble two flaming candles in the sky of Moscow installed on the towers after one enormous renovation.
The tower underwent lots of damages throughout its existence. For example, during the French invasion, Napoleon commanded his army to destroy all the structures inside the Kremlin complex including cathedrals, palaces, and the bell tower when they had decided to retreat the city, but luckily, they had failed the task and only damaged some parts of the buildings. Though the bell tower didn’t take many damages, the Filaret Tower and the belfry gravely damaged during that assault.
One of the extraordinary traits of the tower is its bells. The tower has around 22 bells which the hugest one is around 65.5 ton and only rang in particular ceremonies of the Orthodox Church. The oldest bell in the complex was built in the 16th century. The tower also houses the permanent exhibition at the ground floor of the structure which is about the history of the bells, the methods, and a summary about how each one of them works.
One of the magical views over the city of Moscow is also from the top of this 80-meter- high tower which ones should take 137 steps to get on the observation deck. One can observe almost all the city from there, which is the most magical feature of this tower.
The ground floor of the tower which is where the permanent and temporary exhibitions held attached to the structure in 1950 after a complete renovation. Though back then it only housed temporary exhibitions, currently it has the bells exhibit and holds less temporary exhibitions under the Kremlin Museum management compare to when the Soviet Union was in charge.
If one wants to observe the whole city from somewhere other than the Ivan the Great Bell Tower, they can visit the Ostankino Television Tower which has the other fabulous view over the city of Moscow. If one wants to experience a similar scene over the city of Saint Petersburg, they can visit the Saint Isaac’s Cathedral and by taking the Cathedral’s Colonnade experience a significant view over St. Petersburg and its attractions from above. Though there is another way to have a brilliant view of the city of Saint Petersburg, and that’s the Helicopter tours which has its unique fans.
On the trip to Moscow since the Kremlin would be one of the main targets in your Russia tour plan, visiting the religious sites and cathedrals of the complex beside the Terem Palace and other attractions inside Kremlin is a necessary act. One can also enjoy another view over the city if the Sparrow Hills was included in their Moscow tourism tour schedule. The cable cars of the park are great platforms for people who admire the view of the city from above. So with all of these attractions and usually the time limits, don’t forget to check your Russia tour plan before you visit Moscow to have the most satisfying experience of your trip.
