Overview:

Kutafya Tower (also known as Kolokolnaya Tower) is a medieval Russian tower located in central Moscow, near the Red Square. It was built around 1516–1518 on the orders of Tsar Vasily III by an Italian architect, Petrok Maly Fryazin. The tower stands on the site of an old church that was destroyed by fire. The tower is believed to be the only example of Italian-style architecture in Moscow from that era. The Kutafya Tower is a slender cylinder, with some decorations at the top. It stands about 34 metres high and has two entrances. It was used for a variety of purposes including as an observation point, an archive room and even a prison. The tower was renovated in the late 1960s and can be visited today. It is one of the most beautiful monuments in Russia
Prominent Features:

Kutafya Tower (also known as the Kitaisky Tower) is a 16th century Russian fortification located in Kitai-gorod, a historic part of Moscow. It is one of Moscow's oldest surviving brick towers. The Kutafya Tower stands atop St. Andronik hill, which is one of the original seven hills of the city of Moscow. The tower was built by the Italian architect Pietro Solari around 1516 as part of a defence system of Kitai-gorod. The tower is one of the city's most recognizable landmarks and is listed as a historical and cultural heritage site. The tower is approximately 28 meters tall and has two levels: the first is a cellar and the second is a guardroom on top of it. The tower features a number of gun loops and defensive embrasures, as well as several large doors and several small windows. You can learn history, culture, and heritage through these magnificent monuments in Russia.

History:

The Kutafya Tower is an old tower located in the center of the Russian city of Moscow. It dates back to the 16th century, when Tsar Ivan the Terrible ordered the construction of a fortified tower for the city’s defense. The tower was completed in 1588 and served as a watchtower for the city’s army. It was part of a network of fortifications that were built around Moscow at the time. In the late 16th century, the tower was expanded during the reign of Tsar Feodor I. Feodor added two stories to the tower and made changes to the surrounding walls to strengthen the city’s fortifications. In the 17th century, the tower was incorporated into the walls of the Kremlin, and the height of the structure was increased. Over the years, the Kutafya Tower has been redesigned and used for a variety of purposes. In the 18th century, it was used as a fire watchtower. In 1747, Empress Elizabeth ordered the tower to be used as a prison for high-ranking criminals. In the 19th century, it was used as an archive and observation point. During the Soviet period, the tower was used as a storage facility for national treasures such as medals and awards. Today, the Kutafya Tower is used as a museum and a popular tourist attraction. Visitors can explore the tower’s history and see the artifacts that were stored in it over the centuries. It is also one of several places in Moscow where couples can go to get married. Visit one of the famous monuments of Russia with your friends and family.

Interesting facts:

, the Kutafya Tower is seen as a symbol of power and strength. It was built during the reign of Ivan the Terrible in 16th century and is the tallest tower in Moscow’s Kremlin. It is 67m tall and is made of 15 storeys of redbrick. Standing at the top of the tower allows visitors to admire the huge rooftops of Moscow. It is believed that the tower was used as a prison for Tsar's most trusted people. It is also said that Ivan IV (Ivan the Terrible) threw his son, Ivan the Younger from the window of Kutafya Tower. Kutafya Tower is also renowned for its 5 bells, some of which weigh as much as 20 tons. The largest one, the Sysoy Bell, is made of bronze and is 4.6 metres in diameter. It serves as the main bell of Kremlin and the Moscow Diocese. The bell chimes every hour. Finally, it is a popular tourist attraction and people come from all over the world to climbed the tower's 127 steps and admire the views of the city from the top of the tower. One of the historical monuments of Russia, it tells the story of a bygone era