The virtual exhibition is based on the catalogue “Coronations of Tsars and Emperors at the Moscow Kremlin” and is dedicated to the imperial coronations that were held at the Moscow Kremlin in the 18th -19th centuries. ‘Thanks to atmosphere and constancy of the ancient skeleton that accumulated a strong body, the Coronation of Russian governors with its incomparable breathtaking beauty and inner significance became an outstanding event for its spectators. Only during these few hours, one can feel both the mightiness and the grandeur of the Russian nation simultaneously’. That’s what a witness wrote about the last imperial coronation that had taken place at the Moscow Kremlin on 14 May 1896.

The imperial period in Russian history began on 22 October 1721, when Tsar Peter the Great was awarded the title of ‘Emperor’ from ‘all loyal subjects’ at St.Trinity Cathedral in Saint-Petersburg. It happened due to concluding the Piece Treaty of Nystad which marked the victorious ending of the Northern War. The scenario of this event used the reminiscences of the early Roman coronation with solely secular character, and the western variant of the proclamation “Vivat, Emperor!” accepted at the edge of the 17th-18th cc. At the same time, the church order was not carried out at the coronation. However, later it became the principal part of the ceremony, which was worked out in detail in 1723-1724s for the coronation of Catherine I, and then evolved over two centuries.

The exhibition is composed by chronology and is divided into sections, devoted to 11 imperial coronations, starting from Catherine I and finishing with the coronation of Nicholas II.

Have a nice viewing!