You are welcome to make a virtual visit to the exhibition "Ratification of friendship …" Ambassadorial gifts to Russian Tsars" which presents the world largest collections of Ambassadorial gifts, preserved in Moscow Kremlin Museums. Tradition of mutual donations between the rulers is of ancient history. It was well known in the medieval Europe and became an eminent diplomatic instrument and a way of   communication between countries. In the 17th century, world monarchic treasuries were formed by artworks brought by foreign ambassadors. Under the first Romanovs, the royal treasuries were enriched by items of luxury, brought to the Russian Court by Ambassadors either as their private donations or state gifts.

Chronological frames of the exhibition are limited, at one side, by the beginning of external political activity by the government of Michael Fyodorovich Romanov, at the other side, by the visit of the last embassy, which have visited Moscow, to future Emperor Peter I. All the states, supported diplomatic communications with Russia in XVII century, left their "visiting cards" in the Kremlin Treasury. The eleven countries are represented by artworks of the famous West-European silversmiths, the horse harness, the precious fabrics, the ceremonial weapons, the exotic Eastern items as well as the carved crosses and staffs, accepted from the representatives of the Christian East. The gifts of Holland are exhibited in the hall 1, of England - in the halls 2 and 3, of Schleswig-Holstein - in the hall 3. The hall 4 includes both the supplies from Iran, Turkey and the Christian relics which are the gifts to the leaders of the Russian Orthodox Church. The gifts of Poland are collected in the hall 5. The last hall 6 represents the gifts of Sweden.

Have a nice trip!