Alexandrov Kremlin
Description
Museum-Reserve Alexander Sloboda is located in the territory of the Kremlin of Alexander - Moscow suburban residence of the ancient kings.
At the beginning of the XVI century by the order of the Grand Prince of Moscow Vasily III, the father of Ivan the Terrible, in the Alexander settlement there was elevated the palace. It was built in just 5 years (from 1508 to 1513) by the best Russian and Italian masters, the creators of the Moscow Kremlin. Vasily III often came here to relax, arranged suburban peers, received ambassadors. After the death of Vasily III the palace comes into the possession of his wife Elena Glinsky.
In December 1564 suburban government residence became the capital of the Russian state. Ivan IV, the Terrible, for 17 years makes the Alexander settlement in the actual capital of the state from which completes the unification of the country. There was established the oprichnina and public affairs interspersed with savage torture, executions, devastating campaign against Novgorod, Tver, Torzhok, Klin. Here Moscow king took the title Tsar Autocrat of All Russia. In the Alexander settlement it was inaugurated the country's first provincial print, worked book-writing workshop. There once was one of the richest libraries, which is based rare books inherited from Sophia Paleologos, the famous library of Ivan the Terrible.
In 1778 the palace Alexander Sloboda became a town of Vladimir province. The population engaged in trade and various crafts. Particularly well developed smithing and paper-weaving production.
The fortress is still largely preserved layout. In the center stands the palace temple ensemble of the royal residence - now the Trinity Cathedral (the beginning of the XVI century). Very interesting are also two stone tent monument of the XVI century: Church of the Intercession (the only known Russian plot painted tent XVI century) and the Crucifixion church bell tower. The museum contains works of Alexander Sloboda icon painting and decorative arts, manuscripts and printed books, precious fabrics and dishes.
Photo (2)
