The whole world knows that in Russia there are a great many historical, cultural and architectural monuments that are world heritage. Such a museum, which has priceless, unique treasures, is undoubtedly the Armory, which is part of the Kremlin Palace complex .
It was first mentioned in chronicles in 1508, but information (a letter from Ivan Kalita from 1339) about the values that laid the foundation for the magnificent grand-ducal treasury has been preserved. This document describes jewelry, dishes made of precious metals, clothes from expensive beautiful fabrics, expensive weapons. A century later, the treasury included numerous values that were stored in the basements of Kremlin cathedrals and palaces.
By the end of the 15th century, Moscow became famous as a center for artistic crafts. Soon there appeared talented foreign and Russian masters who created genuine works of art. Many of these masterpieces are still kept by the Armory.
Foreign embassies brought expensive gifts to Moscow - exquisite fabrics, magnificent pearls, weapons, and a ceremonial harness. During the reign of Ivan the Third, the grand-ducal treasury grew so much that it became necessary to build a special room for its storage. Such a storehouse was erected in 1485 on the territory of the Kremlin. “The government courtyard” - this is the name given to the new building with deep basements. For about three hundred years, priceless treasures of Moscow princes and tsars have been kept here. Most of the values were made on the territory of the Kremlin in art workshops, which were called chambers. The leading one - the Armory - gave the name to the world famous museum.
The museum building was built at the end of the XVI century (1581) under the leadership of Konstantin Ton. The basis of the museum collection are precious objects that have been kept for centuries in the royal treasury. They were made in the workshops of the Kremlin and received as gifts from foreign embassies.
The Armory is the largest repository of ancient state regalia, the largest collection of gold and silver products of the great Russian masters. The decoration of the collection was the jewelry of the great Faberge, which has no analogues, an absolutely unique collection of carriages, as well as exquisite items of festive horse decoration. A unique exhibit is stored here - the summer stroller of Catherine the Second, which looks like a gondola.
The Armory Museum offers for viewing about four thousand unique works of art and history of Russia, countries of the East and Europe.
Museum visitors are especially interested in the watch collection: its exposition has more than two hundred samples. A collection of orders and medals is also presented there.
Excursions to this extraordinary museum are not just interesting, they are extremely informative. Before the visitors, the history of Great Russia, the fate of its famous people, the change of power, the development of culture and art are passing through at a glance. Everyone, at least once visiting this unique treasury, is imbued with pride and a sense of greatness and wealth of the Russian state.
The Moscow Kremlin (the Armory in particular) is today the greatest historical monument of value not only for Russia, but for the whole world.