Buildings in the Kremlin
The Grand Kremlin Palace

The new imperial palace was erected on the initiative of Nicholas I in 1838-1850 on the place of ancient building of Moscow Great Prince
Ivan III’ Palace and palace of Empress Elisabeth Petrovna of the XVIII century. The projecting and construction was carried out by the group of architectors: N.I. Chichagov, V.A. Bakarev, F.F. Richter,
P.A. Gerasimov, F.G. Solntsev and others under the supervision of
K.A. Ton, the “patriarch” of acknowledged “Byzantine-Russian style”.

The palace complex, later called “The Grand Kremlin Palace”, besides the new built building included a part of survived constructions of ancient Great Princes’ and later royal residence of the late XV-XVII centuries. These are the Faceted Chamber (the XV century), the Golden Tsarina’s Chamber (the XVI century), the Terem Palace (the XVII century) and the palatial home churches. The Armoury Chamber built in 1851 and the adjacent Apartments block, connected with the palace complex by an aerial passage, were added to form the Grand Kremlin Palace’s complex.

K.A. Ton repeated the plan of the ancient ensemble placing new buildings. The layout and design of the faзades developed the architectural theme of ancient constructions.

At the same time, the K.A. Ton’s creation is marked with innovative features: large span brick top constructions, new construction materials, e.g. cement for shaped casts, were highly appreciated by contemporaries.

The inner planification of the imperial palace numbers about 700 chambers, including the main hall with a staircase, five ceremonial Order halls, receiving ceremonial quarters of the Empress, living quarters of the imperial family, so called “The Private hemisection” and service chambers located on the ground-floor. The gorgeous interior dйcor in the style of the epoch is created in various styles – from the Renaissance to the Byzantine-Russian Style. Exquisiteness, delicate taste and perfect quality of work feature the palace’s decor. The Palace is considered a museum of the Russian Palace interior.

In 1933-1934, the Alexandrovsky and Andreevsky Halls of the Palace were reconstructed for the hall of Supreme Council of the USSR sessions. For many years it lost the magnificence of interiors. In 1994-1998, on the order of the President of the Russian Federation, the Grand Kremlin Palaces’ interiors were restored.

Nowadays, the whole Grand Kremlin Palace’s Complex, besides the Armoury, houses the residence of the President of the Russian Federation.