Grand Duke of Moscow Vasily the third onthe expansion of the boundaries of its patrimony spent a lot of time and effort. In 1503, most of the present Zaraisk district ceased to be the territory of the Ryazan principality, which by that time had lost its independence. These lands became part of the Moscow state. However, Ryazan was no longer an obstacle to the Crimean Tatars on their way to Moscow. Therefore, before Prince Vasily, the problem of protecting the southern borders of the state was acute. Then it was decided to build several defensive points, including in Zaraysk.
The Zaraisk Kremlin was built in 1528-1531.Earlier on this place there were already wooden fortifications. However, it was decided that this is not a sufficiently reliable defensive structure. Therefore, engineer Aleviz Fryazin was invited from Italy. Nim inside the old wooden walls and were built new stone.
According to archaeologists who conducted excavations aroundThe Kremlin was originally surrounded by a dry ditch five meters wide and three deep. Confirms its existence and preserved to this day the regular plan of the city, compiled in 1730 by the architect Gotovtsev.
Throughout his lifetime ZaraiskiiThe Kremlin was repeatedly restored and completed, thanks to which it was preserved simply in excellent condition. Repeatedly this medieval structure was repaired in the 17th and 19th centuries.
After the revolution (in 1918) the Kremlin was given to the museum of Zaranska. However, despite this, the Church of the Savior, which was on the south side, was demolished in the 30s. Not preserved to this day and the church of St. George the Victorious, adorned once the opposite of the fortress shore of the river Osetr and Epiphany Church, also located nearby. In the beginning and the middle of the 20th century, cosmetic repairs were carried out several times in the Kremlin. The capital of the restoration, he was subjected in 1887-1993.
Today, this ancient medieval Kremlinenjoys great popularity among tourists. It represents a rectangle stretched from the east to the west. One of its distinctive features is a very small size. This is the smallest of all preserved to this day the stone Kremlin. Its dimensions are only 130 x 190 m. It is possible to bypass the entire Kremlin in no more than 20 minutes.
The walls of the fortress are decorated with seven towers - fourAngles and three above the entrance gate (south, north and west). On the east side there is no tower. The fact is that initially this wall was deaf. The gates in it were pierced later, after the need to repel invasions of the Tatars no longer existed.
The corner towers aredvenadtsatigranniki diameter of about ten meters and a height of about 12-14 meters. Their distinctive feature is that they protrude beyond the walls of the Kremlin, they are quite far away. Once the defenders of the fortress had a great opportunity, being here, to keep almost circular defense. The northeastern tower is called Porokhovaya because it once contained stocks of gunpowder. Southeast - "Near the tavern" - was given such a name due to the fact that next to it there was a drinking establishment. This building was demolished not so long ago - in the 90s. The corner south-west tower is called "At the hiding place", since next to it there is an underground passage through which water was once delivered to the Kremlin. Unfortunately, in connection with various kinds of restoration work at the moment, this "hiding place" is lost. The north-western tower (the highest one) is called the "Karaulnaya". From her very clearly visible neighborhood of the monastery, and therefore it served once as a viewing point.
The access towers are tetrahedral and threetier of defense. The gate, once serving as a barrier to the enemy, was equipped with falling gratings. In addition, the reinforcements were supplemented with lifting bridges. From the north to the Zaraiskii Kremlin can be accessed through the Nikolsky Gate. They are called so because of the fact that next to them there is a chapel of the same name, which has survived to the present day. The western tower is called Yegoryevskaya because it was just next to them that the church of St. George was once located. Not far from the southern Spassky tower was once the church of the same name. The eastern gate is called the Trinity.
On the territory of the Kremlin there are two cathedrals:John the Baptist and Nikolsky. The latter was built in 1681. Cathedral of John the Baptist - a later building. The exact date of its construction is unknown. In addition to these two churches on the territory has a wooden belfry Zaraisk Kremlin (map with its location in the city and the scheme is presented below).
The walls of the Kremlin on average have a height of eight metersand a thickness of 3.5. The width of the combat course in them is 2 m. They are laid out of brick and lined with limestone. It is known that the Kremlin was once whitewashed. However, after one of the restorations it was decided that the original view of the walls should not be changed, since the brick with limestone is very well combined. Thus, the medieval spirit of construction was preserved. The Zaraisk Kremlin, the photo of which you can see in this article, is really an interesting ancient building, which is worth a visit.
Some time after construction aroundThe courtyard of artisans, traders, priests and landowners began to appear in the Kremlin. In addition, a wooden prison was built around this posad. It consisted of sections, covered with earth mixed with stones, and represented an equally serious defensive structure than the Zaraisk Kremlin itself. You could get into the posad through five thoroughfare towers. In addition, the prison was supplemented by seven more deaf people. It was encircled by a wooden fence with a deep moat. In addition, the posad defended the palisade. Around him were numerous settlements.
The beautifully preserved ancient buildings are notthe only interesting thing that the Zaraisk Kremlin boasts of. Its sights are not numerous, but they are available. First of all, it is a tombstone, a monument to Zara princes John, Theodore and Eupraxia. Also on the territory there is a baptismal temple of Seraphim of Sarov.
For many centuries, the main shrineThe Kremlin was the miraculous icon of Nikola Zaraysky. Today it is stored in the Andrei Rublev Museum in Moscow. However, those wishing to know how it looked, can look at the list from it, which is in the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist in the territory of the Kremlin.
To date, the Zaraisk Kremlin isone of the most popular places in Russia for tourists. Already visited by fans of history, not only celebrate the diversity of the excursion program, but also the cleanliness of the territory, as well as the well-being of the structure. The staff of the museum willingly provide visitors with all the information they are interested in about the history of the Kremlin, its sights and architectural features. Many tourists are very impressed by the silence and tranquility prevailing in the territory. Those who decided to visit this wonderful place are advised to visit not only the fortress itself, but also to go around it outside to see the towers and the walls are better. Some tourists even find on the territory of the Kremlin old coins.
The Kremlin is located in Zaraysk along the street of the Revolution,house 2. You can get to this city from Moscow via the Ozyory or Luhovtsi. In the first case, the path will be somewhat longer. Having reached Kolomna, you should turn to Ozerskoe highway. After Oka, there will be a turn to the right towards Zaraysk. In order to get to Lukhovits, you need to drive along the highway M5 (Novoryazanskoy). After passing Luhovtsi, you should turn to Zaraysk.
You can get to this city by bus. It departs from the metro station Vykhino daily every 40-60 minutes from 7:30 to 20:35. The bus number is 330.
