The Armory

The Armory Chamber, a treasure-house, is a part of the Grand Kremlin Palace’s complex. This is the oldest museum in Russia, set up in 1511 by the Grand Prince Vassily III. At that time it was a court workshop for the production and repair of armaments and a storehouse of ceremonial armors.

In 1806, it was designated as a private court museum, but the decision did not take effect until 1812, when the treasures were evacuated to protect them from Napoleon’s approaching troops. The present building dates back to the 1850s and contains a unique collection of old arms, decorated weapons and suits of armor, coronations paraphernalia, church utensils, jewelry, rare textiles, costumes and other valuables.

There are more than 4,000 items presented in nine halls on two floors. Objects of applied art from Russia, Western Europe and Asia, dating from the 4th to the early 20th centuries, including a very famous Faberge Collection, are displayed in the building. Many artifacts in the Armory collection are ambassadorial gifts to Russian Tsars from England, Holland, Sweden and France, presented at the special ceremonies that were held in the Palace of Facets in the Kremlin.

Of particular note in the collection are :

* The Imperial Crown of Russia

* Ivory Throne of Ivan the Terrible

* The Orloff Diamond

  History of Moscow

  Map of Moscow (from 2008)

  Map of Moscow (from 1653)

  Metro Map

  Top art museums

  Favorite monasteries

  Architectural Moscow

  Literary Moscow

  Excursions / Private Guides Moscow

  Boat Tours on the Moscow River

  Viewing Lenin's body in Moscow

  Communism Lives in Moscow

  Secret Soviet Military Bunkers

  Treasures of the Kremlin

    Detailed map of Kremlin with key

    The Grand Kremlin Palace

    The Armory

    Patriarch's Palace

    Assumption Cathedral

    Diamond Fund of the Kremlin

    Ivan The Great Bell Tower

    Tsar Bell

    Tsar Cannon

  Walking Tours of Moscow

    Golden Ring Tour (west)

    Tverskaya Tour (north)

    Kitai Gorod Tour (east)

    Zamoskvorechie Tour (south)

  Banyas (bath houses)

  Guide to Historical metro stations

Night Time Moscow

  Russian Restaurant guide Moscow

    Quaint home-style Russian cuisine

    Inexpensive Russian cuisine

    Elegant Russian cuisine

  Club guide to Moscow

    Bars in Moscow

    Clubbing in Moscow

    Strip Clubs in Moscow

  Chaikovsky Conservatory

Practical Moscow

  How to apply for Russian visa

  Budget accommodation in Moscow

    Hostels in Moscow

    mini-hotels in Moscow

    serviced apartments in Moscow

  Map of Moscow

  Transportation

    Metro map

    Arriving to Moscow by Air

    Arriving to Moscow by Train

    How to Purchase Train tickets

    Ordering a taxi in Moscow

  Communications

    Telephones and making a call

    Using a Mobile phone in Moscow

    Internet access in Moscow

    Posting a letter

  Exhibition centers and how to find

  Banks and money services

  How expensive is Moscow?

  Crime in Moscow

  Medical assistance in Moscow

  Emergency telephones in Moscow

  Pharmacies / Drug Stores in Moscow

  Laundry and dry cleaning

  Dating and introductions Moscow

  Student travel services in Moscow

© 2008 SmartMoscow.Com All rights reserved.                                                                                                            contact us