Regarded more as an important historical and cultural sight rather than a religious one, the Alexandrovsky Kremlin is a beautiful Russian fortress and the Tsar’s residence. It was founded and prospered in the turbulent 16th century – the time of the reign of the first Russian tsar Ivan the 4th, also known as Ivan the Terrible. It was the period when the lands of Russia were united and formed the single state, when the foundations of absolute monarchy were laid down, when Russia established itself as the largest European power. This was the place where the Tsar received foreign diplomats and where his wedding ceremonies took place, making it the major political and cultural center of medieval Russia. The tsar left the fortress in 1581 never to return. The Assumption (Uspensky) nunnery was opened on its territory in the second half of the 17th century. Nowadays, it is considered to be relatively well-preserved: a considerable part of fascinating palaces and temples of the Alexandrov kremlin built by eminent Russian and Italian architects in the 16th century has remained to our time. The palace’s museum gives visitors an excellent opportunity to enjoy an exciting journey into Russia’s Middle Ages, reflected in 18 museum exhibitions.
