On 23 June 2023, on Tsvetnoy Boulevard, the photography exhibition of the Moscow Kremlin Museums under the title “Great Victories of the Russian Empire: Peter I and Karl XII” started its work.
The Muscovites and guests of the capital will learn about the history and main heroes of the Great Northern War which happened between Russia and Sweden and continued from 1700 till 1727. The large-scale high-quality images of objects from the museum collection will allow not only observing in detail the exhibits of the Armoury Chamber but also laying eyes on the pieces kept in funds, which are currently not available for a wide audience.
By the 17th century, Sweden was considered the world power: its possessions had spread almost over all Baltics and even over German lands in Pomerania. Besides, the Swedish kept out Russian goods from the European market, hindering the economic and cultural development of Russia. Peter the Great intended to solve this problem from the very beginning of his independent rule, and, in the early 18th century, he waged the struggle for the Baltics, which launched the Great Northern War. King of Sweden Karl XII, whose army was the best in Europe, had become Peter’s worst enemy.
The Moscow Kremlin Museums are directly connected to the events of that time: the Armoury Chamber was the main office, which supplied the regiments with arms and ammunition, and in the Kremlin, the emperor celebrated his most significant victories: the Battle of Poltava, the Battle of Gangut, and piece Treaty of Nystad. The museum collection is still keeping the memory of those battles.
Among the large-scale detailed images of the objects on display, there are portraits of the monarchs, hunting hangers of Peter I and his friend Prince Menshikov, Swedish weapons and badges, as well as military banners, decoration medals and even the so-called war conclusion – the visual glorification of feats with explanatory inscriptions.
The exhibition is open:
22 June – 16 July on Tsvetnoy Boulevard;
17 July – 16 August on Tverskoy Boulevard;
17 August – 06 September on Nikitsky Boulevard.
For further information, please contact the Moscow Kremlin Museums Press Office: press@kremlin.museum.ru t.+7 (495) 695-41-87