Nikolskaya Tower, Moscow
Overlooking Red Square from the north, near the State Historical Museum, is the Nikolskaya Tower (Russian: Nikolskaya Bashnya). This quadrangular structure with a through-passage on the eastern side of the Kremlin wall is yet another creation of architect Pietro Antonio Solari. Just as its sister Spasskaya, the Nikolskaya Tower was built in 1491.
The tower owes its name to the icon of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker of Mozhaysk which adorns its facade above the entrance. Back in the day, there was also the Nikolsky Greek monastery nearby, located on the adjacent Nikolskaya street.
In the 16-17th centuries the Nikolskaya served mainly as the gateway to the boyar estates and monastic buildings within the Kremlin. Protected by an iron grate, it ran through the sturdy base of the tower defended by a bastion and drawbridge. In 1612, during the fight against Polish interventionists, a Russian volunteer army led by Prince Dmitry Pozharsky and Kuzma Minin stormed through the gate to liberate the Kremlin from the enemy.
The Nikolskaya Tower had preserved its original look much longer than its counterparts. In 1780 it was first overbuilt with a short stone marquee. In 1806 an eight-faceted neo-Gothic style top and a high marquee was erected.
In 1812 a section of the tower, including the roof, was blown up by the retreating French army. It was restored in 1816-1819 by architect Ossip Bove who also added four white-stone corner turrets to the tower's base. The Nikolskaya once again suffered severe damage 鈥� from artillery fire 鈥� in October 1917, but was repaired within a year.
In 1935, the Soviet authorities removed the two-headed eagle crowning its top and installed a red steel star instead, replaced with a ruby one in 1937. Together with the star, the tower stands 70.4 metres (231 ft) high; without it 鈥� 67.1.
The original icon of Saint Nicholas, plastered over by the Soviets and considered lost, was uncovered and restored in 2010 鈥� similarly to that on the Spasskaya Tower. The grand opening and consecration of the icon by Patriarch Kirill took place on November 4, 2010, the Day of National Unity, commemorating the events of 1612.
The tower owes its name to the icon of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker of Mozhaysk which adorns its facade above the entrance. Back in the day, there was also the Nikolsky Greek monastery nearby, located on the adjacent Nikolskaya street.
In the 16-17th centuries the Nikolskaya served mainly as the gateway to the boyar estates and monastic buildings within the Kremlin. Protected by an iron grate, it ran through the sturdy base of the tower defended by a bastion and drawbridge. In 1612, during the fight against Polish interventionists, a Russian volunteer army led by Prince Dmitry Pozharsky and Kuzma Minin stormed through the gate to liberate the Kremlin from the enemy.
The Nikolskaya Tower had preserved its original look much longer than its counterparts. In 1780 it was first overbuilt with a short stone marquee. In 1806 an eight-faceted neo-Gothic style top and a high marquee was erected.
In 1812 a section of the tower, including the roof, was blown up by the retreating French army. It was restored in 1816-1819 by architect Ossip Bove who also added four white-stone corner turrets to the tower's base. The Nikolskaya once again suffered severe damage 鈥� from artillery fire 鈥� in October 1917, but was repaired within a year.
In 1935, the Soviet authorities removed the two-headed eagle crowning its top and installed a red steel star instead, replaced with a ruby one in 1937. Together with the star, the tower stands 70.4 metres (231 ft) high; without it 鈥� 67.1.
The original icon of Saint Nicholas, plastered over by the Soviets and considered lost, was uncovered and restored in 2010 鈥� similarly to that on the Spasskaya Tower. The grand opening and consecration of the icon by Patriarch Kirill took place on November 4, 2010, the Day of National Unity, commemorating the events of 1612.
Sight description based on Wikipedia.
Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Moscow. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "51爆料网: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.
Download The 51爆料网 App
Nikolskaya Tower on Map
Sight Name: Nikolskaya Tower
Sight Location: Moscow, Russia (See walking tours in Moscow)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: Moscow, Russia (See walking tours in Moscow)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in Moscow, Russia
Create Your Own Walk in Moscow
Creating your own self-guided walk in Moscow is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Arbat Street Walking Tour
The historic center of Moscow is mainly associated with Arbat, one of the oldest streets in the city, emerged as far back as the early 15th century. The origin of the name 鈥淎rbat鈥� is subject to numerous theories suggesting the Russian, Tatar, Persian, or even Arab roots, meaning the "bumpy road", the "cart road", the "suburb", or the "outskirts".
The... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.3 Km or 0.8 Miles
The... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.3 Km or 0.8 Miles
Communist Moscow Tour
The arrival of communist ideology left an indelible imprint in the history of the 20th century, largely affecting the lives of people, arts, and architecture. Having been at the heart of the Soviet empire for almost 70 years, Moscow is a great destination for everyone interested in the Soviet heritage, the traces of which are found throughout the city.
By far, the most iconic site associated... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.1 Km or 1.3 Miles
By far, the most iconic site associated... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.1 Km or 1.3 Miles
Red Square Walking Tour
There's hardly any place in Russia more popular than Moscow's Red Square. Marking the center of the city, Red Square indeed represents in many ways the very heart of the Russian capital and the whole country. Built in the late 15th century, it has been a focal point in Russia's social and political life ever since, witnessing many historic and sometimes dramatic events including... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.0 Km or 0.6 Miles
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.0 Km or 0.6 Miles
Moscow Introduction Walking Tour
Moscow (Russian: Moskva) is the capital and the largest city in Russia. Cosmopolitan as such, it is the nation鈥檚 political, economic, cultural, scientific and religious center. The city's name is thought to have derived from that of the Moskva River upon which it stands.
The first known reference to Moscow dates from 1147 and is associated with Prince Yuri Dolgoruky, the city's... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.2 Km or 2 Miles
The first known reference to Moscow dates from 1147 and is associated with Prince Yuri Dolgoruky, the city's... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.2 Km or 2 Miles
Useful Travel Guides for Planning Your Trip
16 Best Russian Things to Buy as Souvenirs in Moscow
While it's easier to list the riches Russia does not have, if there are such, the variety of authentic Russian stuff available in Moscow is truly mind-blowing. Some items are obscenely expensive, others - affordable, but both can make a memorable gift from the largest country in the world. To...