Russia 2019 (11) MOSCOW - One Square to Another

Our next stop was Red Square (#1), but we saw several interesting things on the way.

Here is the Tsar Cannon (#21). As you can see from the comparison with Mike, it is huge, and a beautiful work of art. A monument of Russian artillery, it was cast in bronze in 1586 by master caster Andrey Chokhov. It weighs just over 39 tons with an internal diameter barrel of 890mm (35 inches). Documented by Guinness World Records, it is the largest "bombard by caliber" in the world. It was mostly symbolic, but there are tracings that it was fired at least once. Look at the cannon balls behind Mike. Holy moly!

Then there is the Tsar Bell (#20), commissioned by Empress Anna in 1733. This is purported to be the largest bell in the world weighing in at 222 tons. It is 6.14m (21 feet) tall, 6.6m (22 feet) in diameter, and as thick as 61cm (24 inches). It is decorated with angels, flora, oval medallions of saints, and the Empress herself.

It was never hung or even rung because the completed bell cracked during a fire when water was sprayed on its hot surface. The broken piece weighs almost 13 tons. The humongous ringer is stored inside (not shown).

We walked along a lovely park (left on diagram). Some of our fellow travelers heard a nightingale in this area. I could hear it, too...beautiful...but not so lucky to see it. Avid bird watchers did get a glimpse though. They were soooo excited!

Lilacs everywhere, every color. Smelled wonderful.

We saw the Senate Building (#17). Originally the highest judicial offices, the governing senate, and the president's administration were housed here. Today it is all the administrative offices of the president.

In England if the Queen is in the house, the British flag flies overhead. No one lives in the Kremlin now (Stalin was the last) and the guide said for security reasons it is not known generally where President Putin lives or hangs out. Here the flag flies 24-7, so as not to indicate if Putin is on-site. 

We walked by this gated back door entrance into some buildings. Our guide said this is where the "security" services are now housed.

At times throughout our driving, all traffic halted at intersections. If someone with red license plates was proceeding, they had the total right of way. There were a number of black cars with smoky windows and red license plates parked here.

We saw clergy strolling here and there. There are two levels in the Russian Orthodox Church. If wearing black, they are monk-priests or higher priests and are pledged to celibacy. If they wear white robes, they are parish or secular priests serving laymen. They are expected to be married.

Here is another view of the crenellated wall and the Kremlin Clock on the Spasskaya Tower (#22). A clock tower could have been constructed here as early as 1491, but has been damaged or destroyed and rebuilt a number of times. Currently each clock face is 6.12 meters (20.1 feet) in diameter. Roman numerals are .72m (2.4 feet) in height. Total weight of the clock and bells is 25 tons.

 

Various melodies and bell strikes are played at different times of day, including excerpts from Russia's national anthem and operas. This clock is used like the ball drop in NYC on New Year's Eve. People gather around and cheer at the stroke of midnight.

This was taken from the GUM store entrance into Red Square. Kremlin wall, Senate palace (green dome), and Lenin's tomb (under tower). The Square is open to the public 24/7.