The words “Kremlin” and “Moscow” seem inseparable. The Moscow Kremlin is one of the main symbols of Russia and it attracts millions of tourists annually. However, all Russian cities used to have a kremlin, as this word means “a wooden fortress” – something indispensable in the old times. Sputnik guides you through the spectacular sight of kremlins all over Russia.
The Kazan kremlin has a long history of construction – it was only finished at the end of the 20th century.
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© Sputnik / Ilya Bogachev
Pskov ranks among the oldest Russian cities, as it was mentioned for the first time in 902. The town, situated on Russia’s western borders, performed a crucial defensive role. Its first stone fortifications emerged in the 13th century.
Astrakhan used to be the residence of the Mongolian khans. The city’s kremlin was erected in the 16th century.
The Rostov kremlin comprises the metropolitan’s palace and a bell tower, among other buildings.
The town of Tobolsk, established in 1587, is home to the only stone kremlin in Siberia.
Together with Pskov, the town of Gdov defended the country’s borders in the north-west.
The construction of a stone kremlin began in Vologda in the second half of the 16th century.
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© Sputnik / Ilya Bogachev
Suzdal's first buildings appeared in the 10th century. The town received a wooden fortress a hundred years later.
The Alexandrov kremlin is the oldest country residence of a Moscow sovereign. A stone fortress was erected in the 16th century featuring a splendid palace – no wonder why rulers liked it so much!
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© Sputnik / Ilya Bogachev
The Smolensk kremlin bore the brunt of numerous attacks, as the city was regarded as the key to Moscow. Napoleon’s army destroyed a major part of the fortress while retreating from Russia in 1812.
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© Sputnik / Ilya Bogachev
The Izborsk fortress is depicted in one of the pictures of Nicholas Roerich, a famous Russian artist, traveler and philosopher of the 20th century.
