Moscow, Kremlin, Spasskaya tower

It is rightfully considered the most beautiful and slender tower in the Kremlin. The architect Pietro Antonio Solari, who built it in 1491, in fact, laid the foundation for the construction of the eastern line of the Kremlin fortification with the Spasskaya Tower. The gates of the Spasskaya Tower have been the main entrance to the Kremlin from time immemorial. They were especially revered among the people and were considered "saints". It was forbidden to pass through them on horseback and to pass with bare head. Through them, regiments entered and went out on the campaign. Kings and ambassadors were greeted at these gates. In 1624-1625 the Russian architect Bazhen Ogurtsov and the English master Christopher Galovey erected a multi-tiered top over the tower, ending with a stone tent. This was the first hipped roof decoration in the Kremlin towers. In the 50s of the XXVII century, the coat of arms of the Russian Empire - a two-headed eagle - was erected on the top of the tent of the main tower of the Kremlin. Later, similar coats of arms were installed on the highest towers - Nikolskaya, Troitskaya and Borovitskaya. Initially, the tower was called Frolovskaya, due to the fact that the church of Frol and Lavra was located nearby. By a decree of April 16, 1658, Tsar Alexei Mikhailovich ordered to call her Spasskaya. The new name was associated with the icon of the Savior Not Made by Hands, placed above the gate from the side of Red Square. The icon itself has not survived, but the place where it hung is clearly visible. The Spasskaya Tower has 10 floors. Three floors are occupied by the mechanism of the Kremlin chimes - the main clock of the state. The height of the tower is 67.3 m (with a star 71 m).