World Heritage #0545 – Kremlin

Last modified 28.03.2022 | Published 21.05.2011North and Central Europe, Russia, World Heritage Sites

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From the gold capped onion domes of the Kremlin and its high walls, to the large Red Square and the buildings on it, this heritage site is monumental.

The UNESCO World Heritage List includes more than a thousand properties with outstanding universal value. They are all part of the world’s cultural and natural heritage.

 

Official facts

  • Full name of site: Kremlin and Red Square, Moscow
  • Country: Russian Federation
  • Date of Inscription: 1990
  • Category: Cultural site

UNESCO’s World Heritage Centre’s short description of site no. 545:

“Inextricably linked to all the most important historical and political events in Russia since the 13th century, the Kremlin (built between the 14th and 17th centuries by outstanding Russian and foreign architects) was the residence of the Great Prince and also a religious centre. At the foot of its ramparts, on Red Square, St Basil’s Basilica is one of the most beautiful Russian Orthodox monuments.”

 

My visit

I clip this from my 2011 blog entry:

“The Red Square is not red, although some of the brick buildings and all of the Kremlin walls are. The name actually derives from the word “beautiful”. In the communist era it certainly had a double meaning. (…) It is grand, powerful and beautiful.

At the far end is St. Basil’s Cathedral with its colourful onion domes. We went in and wandered between small chapels lavishly adorned with icon paintings and murals with a long history. A small men’s choir underlined the atmosphere, only to be interrupted by a fierce mobile phone.”

Read more about my visit (and see two more videos from this site).

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