The Armory Chamber is the greatest treasury of the world
The whole world knows that in Russia there is a greata lot of historical, cultural and architectural monuments, which are a worldwide heritage. Such a museum, which has invaluable, unique treasures, is undoubtedly the Armory Chamber, which is part of the complex of the Kremlin Palace.
It was first mentioned in chronicles in 1508,However, information (the letter of Ivan Kalita from 1339) has been preserved about the values that laid the foundation for the magnificent Grand Duke's treasury. This document describes decorations, utensils made of precious metals, clothes from expensive beautiful fabrics, expensive weapons. A century later, the treasury included numerous values that were stored in the cellars of the Kremlin cathedrals and palaces.
By the end of the XV century, Moscow became famous as a centerart crafts. Soon there appeared talented foreign and Russian masters who created original works of art. Many of these masterpieces are still kept by the Armory Chamber.
Foreign embassies brought to Moscow expensivegifts - exquisite fabrics, magnificent pearls, weapons, ceremonial harness. During the reign of Ivan the Third, the Grand Duke's treasury grew so much that it became necessary to build a special room for its storage. Such a storehouse was built in 1485 on the territory of the Kremlin. "The state courtyard" - this name received a new building with deep cellars. For about three hundred years, priceless treasures of Moscow princes and kings were kept here. The bulk of the values were produced on the Kremlin's territory in art workshops, which were called chambers. Leading of them - the Armory Chamber - gave the name to the world-famous museum.
The museum building was built in the late 16th century(1581) under the leadership of Konstantin Ton. The basis of the museum collection are precious items that have been stored for centuries in the royal treasury. They were executed in the workshops of the Kremlin and received as gifts from foreign embassies.
The Armory Chamber is the largest repositoryancient state regalia, the largest collection of gold and silver items of the great Russian masters. The jewelry collection of the great Faberge jewelry, which has no analogues, an absolutely unique collection of crews, as well as exquisite items of festive horse decoration. Here is stored a unique exhibit - a summer stroller Catherine II, which looks like a gondola.
The Museum of the Armory Chamber offers about four thousand unique works of art and history of Russia, countries of the East and Europe.
Of particular interest is the collection of watches from the visitors of the museum: its exposition consists of more than two hundred samples. There is also a collection of orders and medals.
The Moscow Kremlin (the Armory Chamber in particular) is today the greatest historical monument of value not only for Russia, but for the whole world.
