Why is Moscow called White Stone? Perhaps the answer to this question, which is so interesting for tourists, is known by each of its inhabitants, who truly love their city and are proud of its magnificent history. The name was given to the capital by the white stone Kremlin in Moscow, built in 1367. Over the many centuries of its existence, it has been rebuilt several times and has become a true symbol of the city, its heart and one of the main attractions.
Today, the Kremlin is one of the most beautiful architectural ensembles in the world, and its area is about 27 and a half hectares. Learn more about the history of this grand building.
The first settlements on the site of the Kremlin. The foundation of Moscow
The first ancient settlements on the site of the Kremlin arose a very long time ago. According to archaeological excavations, about five thousand years ago. And already in the VI century AD, the first Slavic tribes appeared here.
Moscow was first mentioned in chronicles in 1147. It was then that
Yuri Dolgoruky invited his cousin, Prince Novgorod-Seversky Svyatoslav, to a meeting in a small border town. This event went down in history as the founding date of Moscow.
The history of the creation of the first Kremlin
The history of the Kremlin begins a little later - nine years later, when Dolgoruky decides to fortify the city with high fortress walls. It was a pine picket fence, backed by a massive earthen rampart for greater reliability. By the way, the place for construction was not chosen by chance. The fact is that the fortress was located on a high hill surrounded by the Moscow River and the Neglinnaya. This made it possible to notice the enemy in time and fight back. In addition, an extremely picturesque view of the surroundings opened from the hill. Interestingly, the area of the first Kremlin was about four hectares, and by now its territory has increased almost eight times!
But a significant drawback of this fortress was that it was built of wood, which means it could easily burn out during an accidental fire or arson. The next time the Kremlin was rebuilt at the beginning of the XIV century, when Ivan Kalita ruled Moscow. He invested a lot of money, effort and time in strengthening and decorating the city. For this, he ordered the construction of new walls. These barriers became much stronger, they were built from powerful and durable oak trunks. And the new white-stone Kremlin in Moscow was built under Dmitry Donskoy several decades later.
Moscow during the time of Dmitry Donskoy
The next ruler of Moscow was Prince Dmitry Donskoy. He was the grandson of Ivan Kalita. It is known that Dmitry Donskoy pursued an active foreign policy, expanding and strengthening the territory of Moscow. Moreover, this time was marked by fierce raids of the Tatar-Mongol hordes. All this required new, more solid fortifications.
In addition, as already mentioned, the old Kremlin was built of wood. Therefore, although it was powerful enough to withstand enemy invasions, it still remained defenseless before the fire. And the fire that happened in 1365 destroyed the whole city to the ground (in history it was called All Saints, since it began in the Church of All Saints). He did not spare the Kremlin’s oak walls either. Then, in order to protect the city, Dmitry Donskoy commands to build a white stone Kremlin in Moscow. The year the construction began was 1367. This is mentioned in the annals of this period.
Construction of the White Stone Kremlin
So, the construction of the white-stone Kremlin in Moscow has begun. Throughout the winter, materials were taken to create a fortress. White stone for construction was mined in the suburbs, thirty kilometers from the city. It has long been used in Russia and was one of the most beloved materials. The white stone was strong and beautiful, but its extraction was difficult, and there were few masters. Therefore, it was not used very widely.
The White Stone Kremlin in Moscow was the first such construction in Suzdal Rus. Its construction began when all the materials were ready, namely in the spring of 1367. A strong foundation was laid under the walls of the new fortress, which still stands safely.
The construction of the white-stone Kremlin in Moscow was quickly carried out (the year of its completion was 1368). This haste was entirely justified. Indeed, shortly after the construction was completed, the army of the Lithuanian prince Olgerd attacked Moscow . He stood for three days under the walls of the Kremlin, but could not take the fortress. Two years later, Olgerd again attacked the city, but just as unsuccessfully.
In 1382, the fortress was severely attacked by Tokhtamysh, which inflicted huge damage on it, but afterwards it was completely restored. Therefore, the construction of the white stone Kremlin, without any doubt, was an outstanding historical event that influenced the further development of the city and its formation as the center of Orthodoxy and the residence of the Grand Dukes.
What did the white stone Kremlin look like?
Unfortunately, so far there have not been documentary reports about what the first white stone Kremlin in Moscow looked like. One can judge this only thanks to the available information from the annals and drawings of A. M. Vasnetsov.
It is known that stone walls and towers were built at a considerable distance from old structures. Therefore, the territory of the Kremlin has expanded significantly. The wall thickness, according to some estimates, reached two to three meters. Also, the role of the protective structures was performed by a wide ditch through which bridges span.
The walls were installed loopholes, which were closed with solid wooden shields. Passage gates were built in six towers. The first stone bridge in Moscow was thrown across the Neglinnaya River . After a century and a half, Troitsky was built in its place, which stands today.
After the construction was completed, the White Stone Kremlin became the most powerful fortress in Europe. By the way, its area at that time almost reached modern.
How was the new Kremlin built?
About 150 years stood the white stone Kremlin in Moscow. Many times he was besieged and withstood the most ferocious attacks. But still they inflicted serious damage and destruction on him, however, as did frequent fires. The walls of the fortress dilapidated in many places and could no longer fulfill their protective role.
Therefore, in the second half of the XV century, under Ivan the Third, a large-scale restructuring of the Kremlin began. For this, well-known Italian masters were invited to Moscow. The fortress was rebuilt gradually, in place of the old white walls, new ones were built of red brick. In general, the reconstruction of the Kremlin took ten years. Temples and cathedrals were also rebuilt. So the modern architectural appearance of the Kremlin was formed.
Subsequently, he was repeatedly rebuilt. The first changes were made during the reign of Boris Godunov, then under Peter I. Great damage to the Kremlin caused the Patriotic War of 1812. After it, large-scale restoration work was carried out. Under Soviet rule, the Kremlin was also rebuilt several times, the towers were decorated with stars, and Tsar Cannon and Tsar Bell were installed on pedestals.
Moscow white stone
The White Stone Kremlin in Moscow stood for almost a century and a half. He withstood more than one fierce attack and an enemy siege, reliably protecting the city from the enemy. Thanks to this fortress, Moscow acquired the name "White Stone". By the way, she wears it now. But few people know that the Kremlin remained “white stone” for another four centuries after new red brick walls were erected.
There is a simple explanation for this unusual fact. The walls of the fortress were specially whitewashed until the 19th century. On the one hand, this was due to concern for the preservation of the brick, on the other, it was a kind of tribute to the first stone Kremlin, built under Dmitry Donskoy. For example, he is depicted on bleached canvas by P.P. Vereshchagin, created in 1879.
Kremlin today
Today, the Kremlin is the residence of the president. In 1997, a large-scale restoration was carried out in it. During the work, a large number of buildings and structures of the Kremlin were restored. Now, on major Orthodox holidays, solemn services are held in it, and excursions are held in the territory and museums of the fortress.
And, perhaps, today not everyone remembers that the white stone Kremlin in Moscow was built under Dmitry Donskoy, but the indigenous inhabitants of the capital know the history of their city and are proud of it.
Interesting Facts
- The architectural ensemble of Red Square and the Kremlin is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
- If several centuries ago the walls of the fortress were whitewashed, today today they are periodically tinted with red paint.
- The Kremlin is the largest surviving fortress in Europe, operating until now.
- In 1941, windows were painted on the walls. This was done in order to disguise the fortress as a residential building.
The White Stone Kremlin in Moscow has gone through many changes over its life, but has remained a symbol of Moscow and a true pearl of the city’s architecture.