Buildings in the Kremlin
The Patriarch’s Palace and the Twelve Apostles’ Church

The Patriarch’s Palace is one of the best and rarest monuments of Moscow mid XVII century’s civil architecture. The Palace was erected in 1653-1655 by Russian masters on Patriarch Nikon’s order on the place of more ancient constructions of the Metropolitan and later Patriarch’s Estate in the Moscow Kremlin.

Nowadays, the Patriarch’s Palace is one of Moscow Kremlin Museums.

The tremendous three-storey building touches the northern side of Cathedral Square. The Patriarch’s Palace is an entire architectural unit. The home Twelve Apostles’ Church placed on high archway is melt into the construction to complete the architectural entity.

The palace’s ground-floor was used for household needs and divisions’ location. The first floor housed ceremonial halls and the home church, the second – private Patriarch’s quarters.

Of special interest is the palace’s Cross Chamber, a ceremonial reception hall of Patriarch Nikon of 280 sq.m. area covered with a closed vault with no support, which was an innovative achievement in the Russian architectural practice of that time. The Cross Chamber became a model to be followed in construction of large monasteries’ refectories and played a key role in recognition of open hall area’s beauty.

Nowadays, the Patriarch’s Palace is one of the most frequented Moscow Kremlin’s museums. Its first floor houses a display presenting specific features of the Russian XVII century culture.