The Moscow Kremlin is the national relic of Russia and the symbol of Russian statehood. History itself has arranged it so that the Kremlin hill has become the main museum sightseeing in Moscow – the keeper of the historical memory of many generations who created and preserved this priceless heritage. In recognition of the uniqueness and singularity of the architecture of the Moscow Kremlin, its exceptional place in the development of world history, the architectural ensemble "The Moscow Kremlin and Red Square" was included in the UNESCO List of World Cultural and Natural Heritage of as a part of the world historical and cultural heritage.
The Moscow Kremlin State Historical and Cultural Museum and Heritage Site incorporates the Armoury Chamber and the architectural ensemble of the Cathedral Square, consisting of the Assumption, Archangel and Annunciation cathedrals, the Church of Laying Our Lady's Holy Robe, the Patriarch's Palace with the Twelve Apostles' Church, and the 'Ivan the Great' Bell Tower complex, as well as the exhibition halls in the Assumption Belfry and the Patriarch’s Palace.
The history of the formation, development and activities of the museum institution in the Moscow Kremlin spans almost three centuries, during which there have been periods of high growth, rapid development of museum and scientific work, periods of literally heroic struggle for the preservation of national relics, as well as failures, oblivion and revival.
The history of the museum in the Kremlin, in the very heart of the country, has always been inseparable from the history of the Russian state. A treasury museum, a museum preserving state relics and huge material values, has always attracted the close attention of the authorities. This fact sometimes favourably, sometimes tragically, but always actively influenced the life of the museum.