The State Kremlin Palace is located in the very center of the capital. There are several Kremlin halls in which various events are held. Various awards are awarded here, prizes are awarded and important government contracts are signed. The halls of the Kremlin Palace, their architecture and features will be described below.
Palace History
By decree of Emperor Nicholas I, the Kremlin Palace was erected from 1838 to 1849. For its construction, the best masters of Russia were involved. The then-famous architect K.A. Ton created a palace project.
The large-scale building of the palace with the Kremlin halls with its facade faces the Moscow River. The building was conceived as a temporary residence of Russian emperors during their stay in the Mother See.
From the street, the building looks as if it has three levels, but in reality there are only two floors. In total, the palace has five main Kremlin halls:
- Alexandrovsky.
- Andreevsky.
- Georgievsky.
- Vladimirsky.
- Catherine.
Each of them has its own characteristics, although they are made in the same stylistic direction.
St. Andrew's Hall
St. Andrew's Hall is also called the "Throne". The hall was named after the Order of St. Apostle Andrew the First-Called. In its original form, the St. Andrew's Hall was preserved from the moment of completion of construction until 1932. In Soviet times, it was combined with the neighboring Alexander Hall. This was done to create a large meeting room.
Years later, in 1994, according to the project of architect S.V. Demidov, the restoration of the hall began. Four years later, the reconstruction and restoration work was completed.
Ten pylons with gilding were erected in the hall, the doors are decorated with chains and crosses, attributes that are present in the order of St. Andrew the First-Called. Provincial coats of arms that existed in the Russian Empire are installed above the window openings.
In the end of the hall there is a throne with three thrones for the emperor, empress and heir. Above the throne is the All-Seeing Eye, bordered by many rays of gold.
Alexander Hall
The Alexander Kremlin Hall was named after the Order of St. Alexander Nevsky, established in 1725 by decree of Catherine I.
Its walls are decorated with pinkish marble, the arches are sail-shaped and decorated with emblems and stars. The lining of the backs of the chairs has the same decoration, and its color is stylized to the color of the sash.
The walls of the hall are also decorated with paintings from episodes of the life of Alexander Nevsky. Currently, there are meetings of the State Council of Russia.
Vladimir Hall
Vladimirsky Hall has an unusual layout. It is square, but because of the created corner niches it seems that it is made in the shape of an octagon. The decoration and decor of the room is dominated by the colors that are used in the Order of St. Vladimir.
The hall has a tented arch with 16 faces and is made using ceramics, which greatly facilitates the entire structure. This room, due to its unusual design, is characterized by unique acoustic properties. The hall looks especially solemn thanks to the lighting system and the light opening created at the top.
St. George's Hall
St. George’s Kremlin Hall is the front door. It got its name in honor of the Order of St. George the Victorious. It was established by Catherine II in 1769. He was the highest award in the ranking of orders and medals in the Russian Empire. The decoration of the hall is also made, as in other halls, in the colors of the order. St. George Hall is a temple of glory and valor of the Russian troops.
On the walls of the room there are stars of gold, as well as bandages from orders bearing the inscription: "For service and valor." Since the St. George Hall, executed in white-blue and gold tones, is the ceremonial hall, military awards were presented in it from the very beginning. This tradition has been preserved to this day.
Catherine Hall
The Catherine’s Small Kremlin Hall also has a ceremonial status. Initially, it was a throne room, but later it became the St. Andrew's Hall. It received a name in honor of the Order of St. Catherine, established by Peter the Great in 1713. From that moment, this order was the only one that was awarded to the fair sex.
The room has a large number of decorations and looks very pompous and magnificent. Pilasters decorated with malachite plates and mounted on massive pillars adorn the entrance to the hall. The main place in the hall of the Kremlin Palace is reserved for the dome crowning the entire room. Thanks to him, the inner space seems more voluminous.
It is quite difficult to single out any of the halls, since each of them is distinguished by its unique beauty. Expensive gold and stucco trim accentuates each of the rooms. It is safe to say that the Kremlin halls are a real gem of Russian architecture. The harmony and beauty of this place seems to bring extraordinary energy to everyone who finds themselves in these walls.