Thursday, March 24, 2011

The Saviour's (Spasskaya) Tower


The Gothic-spired Spasskaya (Savior's) Tower is considered the most beautiful tower of the Kremlin. It was built in 1491 under the supervision of the Italian architect Pietro Antonio Solario. The Tower stands on the north-eastern side of the citadel, bordering Red Square.

The gate of the Spasskaya Tower has been the official entrance to the Kremlin for centuries. Until the 17th century the tower was known as the Frolovskaya, due to its location not far from the St. Frol church and monastery. In 1658 an Icon of the Saviour was mounted above the gate facing Red Square, and the tower's name was changed to Spasskaya by decree of the Tsar.

During the 16th and 17th centuries the Spasskaya Tower was used for ceremonial processions made by the Tsar and the Patriarch and for greeting important Moscow foreign visitors.

The tower is crowned by an illuminated ruby-red star, which replaced the double-headed Russian eagle in 1937, raising the tower's height to 71 metres.
One of the collectibles from Moscow bought by my eldest daughter.

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