Information Kremlin map Kremlin museums Pages of history Exhibitions Education Museum collections News Chronicle of scientific life Virtual exhibitions Press-service Library
Main page Site map Ðóññêàÿ âåðñèÿ News Library Guestbook


Towers of the Kremlin Buildings in the Kremlin The Tsar Cannon
The Tsar Bell Artillery cannons 
The Moscow Kremlin
Virtual tour Library Virtual exhibitions New on the site
Virtual tour Library Virtual exhibitions New on the site
Buildings in the Kremlin
The Golden Tsarina's Chamber

The Golden Tsarina"s Chamber. Eastern facade
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.

Cathedral Square. To the right of the Faceted Chamber in the arch - three windows of the Golden Tsarina"s Chamber
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.

The Golden Tsarina"s Chamber. Interior
The Golden Tsarina"s Chamber.  Fragment of interior painting
The Golden Tsarina"s Chamber. Entrance portal
At present, the Golden Tsarina’s Chamber in the Kremlin Grand Palace is a hall of the President’s residence.

 
   The Church of Our Lady’s Nativity
 
   The Assumption Cathedral
 
   The Church of Laying Our Lady's Holy Robe
 
   The Annunciation Cathedral
 
   The Faceted Chamber
 
   The Archangel's Cathedral
 
   The Ivan the Great Bell-Tower complex
 
   The Golden Tsarina's Chamber
 
   The Terem Palace
 
   The Upper Saviour’s Cathedral and Terem Churches
 
   The Patriarch’s Palace and the Twelve Apostles’ Church
 
   The Fun Palace
 
   The Arsenal
 
   The Senate
 
   The Grand Kremlin Palace
 
   The Armoury Chamber
 
   The A.R.C.E.C. Kremlin Military School
 
   The State Kremlin Palace

InformationKremlin mapKremlin museumsPages of historyExhibitionsEducationMuseum collections
Main page Site map Ðóññêàÿ âåðñèÿ News Library Guestbook
The Moscow Kremlin The Moscow Kremlin GAZPROMBANK RBC SOFT
You  Ðåéòèíã@Mail.ru  visitors of the site since November 28 1997
 
  Ìóçåè Ðîññèè - Museums of Russia - WWW.MUSEUM.RU  Ñåðâåð îðãàíîâ ãîñóäàðñòâåííîé âëàñòè Ðîññèéñêîé Ôåäåðàöèè