What is an architectural ensemble. Architectural ensemble of the Moscow Kremlin

A lot of lines were devoted to the Moscow Kremlin by Russian poets. On many canvases of famous artists this masterpiece of medieval architecture is depicted. The Moscow Kremlin is an outstanding architectural ensemble in Russia. And it is about him that will be discussed in this article.

The architectural ensemble is ...

The word "ensemble" of French origin. It is translated as "unity, integrity, coherence".

The architectural ensemble is a complex of residential and public buildings, as well as other structures (bridges, roads, monuments, etc.) that make up a single spatial composition. Its elements can be not only houses and structures, but also sculptures, monuments, works of art, gardens and gardens. The perception of this or that ensemble of architecture largely depends on the time of year, the level of illumination. The presence of people, as well as the intensity of traffic, also have weight.

The most important component of any architectural ensemble is the surrounding landscape. First of all, the terrain, as well as the presence of water bodies (rivers, lakes, reservoirs) plays a huge role.

Quite often a compositional center of an architectural ensemble is a monument or an obelisk. Among such examples can be called St. Peter's Square in the Vatican or Round Square in Poltava. To honor the memory of an outstanding personality or to emphasize the historical importance of an event is the main goal pursued by such an architectural ensemble. Photos of such a complex you can see below (this is the St. Peter's Square, the Vatican).

Types of architectural ensembles

Some architectural ensembles are created immediately and comprehensively, according to a pre-prepared master plan. Others develop over the course of dozens of years, gradually supplemented by new buildings and elements. By the way, the second option is more common in the world.

There are several different types of architectural ensembles. Among them:

• Ensembles of squares;
• Fortresses;
• Prospectuses;
• Palace and park;
• Estate;
• Monastic ensembles.

The Moscow Kremlin is an outstanding architectural ensemble of Europe

The Kremlin in Moscow is the largest fortress in Europe from those that have been fully preserved to the present day. This architectural ensemble is located in the heart of the Russian capital, it is the main public and political complex of the city, as well as a sacred symbol for the whole country. It is here that the main residence of the President of the Russian Federation is located.

The architectural ensemble of the Kremlin in Moscow is built at the place of the confluence of the river Neglinnoy into the Moscow River. Triangular in terms of the fortress covers an area of 27.5 hectares. On the one hand, the Kremlin borders on the Red Square, and on the other - with the Alexander Garden.

In the early 90s, a large-scale reconstruction was carried out within the architectural complex: in particular, then the Senate building was reconstructed, as well as several halls of the Grand Kremlin Palace. At the end of the 20th century, the walls and towers of the ensemble were also restored.

By the way, not everyone knows that the walls of the Moscow Kremlin were not always red, as we all used to see them. During the XVIII-XIX centuries, according to the surviving paintings and descriptions, they had a white color (until 1880). Today, the walls of the Kremlin from time to time tinted with red paint.

Another interesting historical fact about the Kremlin refers to the times of the Great Patriotic War. So, in 1941, an order was given to finish the windows on the ramparts so that the building had the appearance of a residential object.

A Brief History of the Architectural Ensemble

Defensive structures on the site of the modern Kremlin existed in Moscow for a long time. However, in ancient times they were wooden, and therefore very much suffered from fires. Therefore, in the XIV century, it was decided to surround the city with stone walls (from limestone).

The most outstanding architectural ensemble in Russia was formed in its present form at the end of the XV century. The first tower was built here in 1485. Italian architects actively participated in the construction of the complex, nevertheless, the appearance of the fortress looks very "in Russian".

Very interesting are the huge clocks placed on the Frolovskaya Tower. For the whole history they have been changed four times. The same that time is shown today, were established in 1852. Five-pointed stars of ruby glass, which decorate the Kremlin towers, were installed in 1937.

The Moscow Kremlin was badly damaged during the Civil War of 1917. In particular, several towers of the complex were damaged, as well as all of its temples. But in the Second World War the Kremlin survived. Thanks to competent camouflage, which the Soviet architects had time to spend, the ensemble was not bombarded.

The walls, towers and temples of the Kremlin

The architectural ensemble of the Kremlin in Moscow includes 20 towers (three of them - round in plan, the rest - square). The highest of them is Troitskaya, its height is 79 meters. All the Kremlin towers are built in the same architectural style, except for the pseudo-Gothic Nikolskaya.

The Kremlin towers, as well as fortress walls, were built at the turn of the 14th and 15th centuries, and were finally decorated in the 17th century. The total length of all the walls of the ensemble is more than two kilometers. Their thickness varies in the range of 3.5-6.5 meters, and the height ranges from 5 to 19 meters. The tops of the fortress walls are decorated in the form of tines, which resemble in shape the swallowtails (the total number is 1045). They also preserved cracks, loopholes and embrasures, reminiscent of the main purpose of this structure.

On the territory of the Moscow Kremlin there are seven churches and one bell tower, five palace buildings, as well as two famous monuments - the Tsar Cannon and the Tsar Bell.

Conclusion

The Moscow Kremlin is a unique architectural ensemble of Russia, the largest fortress in Europe. For Russians, it is a sacred place and a symbol of Russia's statehood. For foreign tourists, this is the number one object they want to see when they come to Russia.