The Architectural History of Important Muscovite Buildings from 1147 C.E. to Present

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The Architectural History of Important Muscovite Buildings from 1147 C.E. to Present

Megan Traynor

Siena Heights University

Moscow is a true city of its people, for its people, and now by its people, however the city has seen many changes throughout its lifetime. Moscow was first recognized as a city in 1147 by Prince Yuri Dolgorukiy of Rostov. He called the prince of Novgorodseverski to come with him to the city and nine years after that initial recognition, Prince Yuri Dolgoruki of Rostov ordered the construction of a wooden wall that was to surround the city so that the inhabitants may feel safe. This wall was known and is still known as the Kremlin. The Kremlin had many unique features, some relating to defending the city and some to be athletically pleasing to the eye. One of these aesthetic additions was the world renowned onion dome. This dome, unusually shaped like an onion, is the signature design of Moscow and Russian architecture. Within the walls of the Kremlin and the surrounding area lie self defining Red Square, in which many congregated marches have been lead through, St. Basil Cathedral and finally Lenin’s tomb. Each one of these structures is the true definition of what Muscovite architecture was and still is. However it was not until the rule of Stalin that the overall appearance of the city changed drastically, and thanks to this time the city began a modernization reconstruction. During this reconstruction, the true colors of what Moscow architecturally is today came to be.

The Kremlin, meaning fortress, is the Russian National Sanctuary and is a unique combination of world culture. (Moscow Kremlin 1) The Kremlin set a standard for Muscovite Architecture. The outline of the Kremlin is an irregular triangle that expands to 676 meters long from west to east and 639 meters from north-west to south-east. The Kremlin brought the first settlers to the city of Moscow, a random selection of inhabitants that understood techniques of...