Moscow is one of the primary tourist destination cities in Russia. Millions of people have traveled and continue to travel to Moscow annually because of history, and all the attractions it offers to its visitors on tour to Russia. Although Moscow is a big city with multiple attractions all over it, most of Moscow's major attractions are gathered in the center of the town. The most significant attraction in Moscow is the famous Red Square, which houses several other attractions. One of which is Kremlin. There are no Russia tour operators that don't include Kremlin on their tour to Moscow program simply because of its importance. Kremlin is where you can find several significant attractions, including several notable cathedrals, multiple museums, and some of Moscow's architectural attractions. One of the significant museums in Kremlin is the State Diamond Fund, which only accessible by planned tours. It means that if you want to visit this museum, which locates on the Armory building, you need to reserve a group visit via your tour to Russia agency. Although it only takes 20 to 30 minutes of your Moscow tour program, it will be one of the highlights of your trip to Moscow without a doubt.
The history of the State Diamond Fund Museum dates back to when Peter the Great had an idea to collect jewels that belonged to the state rather than in possession of the ruling family. Before Peter the Great, all the treasures, gifts, and valuable stuff collected by the emperors and their family belonged to them only. However, Peter the Great had seen something similar to his idea on his journey through Europe and decided to create a state depository of crown valuables in Russia. Peter the Great issued a proclamation that ordered his family, and his successors to leave a number of their valuable and jewels to state. In his order, all the valuable things and jewels that were donated to the state fund were declared inviolate, which meant that they could not be sold, given away as a gift, or altered. One of the main reasons behind Peter the Great decided to create the symbols of the power of national importance. However, after the creation of the State jewel fund, that idea went beyond Peter the Great's idea and extended to other valuables. The person who was in charge of caring for the fund had changed with each ruler after Peter the Great. Although establishing a Diamond Fund belonged to Peter the Great, it was Catherine the Great, who had contributed the most items to the fund. Catherine the Great had a particular interest in diamonds and expensive rocks, which is why she provided the most articles to the fund. It was during her reign that the Diamond Chamber was constructed in the Winter Palace as well. Among all the items inside the Diamond Fund, 85% of the Diamond Fund's collection was contributed by the monarchs from Peter I to Nicholas I. Only 15% of the items were contributions from the last three emperors. At the beginning of the first world war, with the threat of German invasion looming, all the Diamond Chamber's collection was moved to Moscow and placed in the basement of the Armory of Kremlin for protection. Although the collection was half-forgotten during the civil war and several years after, the Soviet Diamond Fund was officially opened in 1922. Unfortunately, part of the collection was looted or sold abroad during the Soviet era. However, when the collection was displayed to the public for the first time in 1967, it still had multiple outstanding items as well as some of the significant imperial treasures. On the 50th anniversary of the Soviet state in 1967, the Soviet Diamond Fund was supposed to display a temporary exhibition of its collection for a year to the guests of state who had traveled to Russia to celebrate the anniversary. Still, because of its impact on the culture and turned to a significant event in Russia, The Soviet government had decided to make it a permanent exhibition. After the fall of the Union, Russian Federation continued to increase the Diamond Fund collection items and has added several essential items, including "Alexander Pushkin," second-largest raw diamond, golden nugget, and "The Creator" to the collection.
Currently, the State Diamond Fund is situated inside the Armory in Kremlin. However, if you want to visit this museum on your tour to Russia, you need to purchase a separate ticket, and it is accessible only through tours of fixed duration. However, if you visit this museum during your travel to Moscow, you'll find many exceptional jewels and diamonds that change your mind about beauty at the end of your tour. This collection contains several historical gems from the second half of the 18th century to the present day; several magnificent jewels, such as the berry-shaped one, are among the most unusual gems in the collection of multiple medals and raw diamonds.
Although there are many items inside the State Diamond Fund's collection that can catch your attention, there are several highlights in the collection that even surprise experts and collectors. One of the significant items in the collection is the Imperial Crown of Russia. The rulers of Russia used the Imperial Crown of Russia, also known as the Great Imperial Crown, from 1762 until Nicholas II. He was the last emperor of Russia that worn at his coronational ceremony. Besides the Imperial Crown, we can also mention the Seven Historical Gems, including the Shah diamond, which was a gift from Shah of Persia in 1829, the Sapphire, and Orlov diamond. You can also find many gold nuggets and raw diamonds inside this magnificent collection if you visit the museum on your travel to Russia.
Although you can learn a lot about the items inside this collection on the internet, and even see each one of them through the screen of your devices, visiting the museum during your tour to Russia and see them up close has another feeling, which can be a highlight from your travel to Moscow. You can learn about other attractions of Moscow tour, especially Kremlin and Red Square, on our weblog.
