Buildings in the Kremlin
The Golden Tsarina's Chamber

The Golden Tsarina’s Chamber was a part of the palace complex erected in the Kremlin in late XV—mid XIX centuries. Tsarinas’ quarters must have been located in that part of the palace. The Golden Tsarina’s Chamber is situated on a high palace’s podklet (ground floor) of late XV-early XVI centuries. It was first mentioned in manusripts in 1526 as Naugolnaya (Corner). Both the Golden Tsarina’s and the Faceted Chamber are the most ancient civil building in the Moscow Kremlin.

In 1580-s, the chamber was rebuilt for a ceremonial reception room of tsarina Irina Godunova, the wife of Tsar Fyodor Ioannovich. It was richly decorated. The walls and vaults were painted with frescoes against the golden background so that it was given its second name – Golden. The unique wall-painting was based on the life-stories about the lives of famous Byzantine Tsarinas Irina Fyodorovna and Sofia, Russian Princess Olga and Georgian Tsarina Tamara.

The Anteroom or Passage Chamber is adjacent to the west of the Golden Tsarina’s Chamber. In the early XVII century, it was named Zhiletskaya (Dwellers) as the palace’s “dwellers” (guard and servants) were always present there.

The white-stone carved entablement and carved window frames present the original look of the chamber’s facades with features of the Italian Renaissance.

In 1630-1640, the Verkhospasskiy Cathedral and a gallery were built over the Golden Tsarina’s Chamber. At present, a part of its eastern facade can be seen from Cathedral Square under the gallery, belting the 11 domes of the Terem Churches.

In 1683, new stone arches were fixed in the Chamber, whereas the vaults were reinforced with iron beams. Unfortunately, it hurt the harmony chamber’s interior.

The wall-painting was restored several times, saving the composition. While restoration works of 1925 and 1947, two fresco fragments dated by XVI century were found.

At present, the Golden Tsarina’s Chamber in the Kremlin Grand Palace is a hall of the President’s residence.