Senate building in the Moscow Kremlin: history, description

The complex of buildings of the Moscow Kremlin is one of the sights of the capital of the Russian Federation. It is necessary to come here at least once to all the tourists who have visited this wonderful city. But of the entire architectural complex, which now serves as a museum, the Senate building in the Moscow Kremlin is especially prominent. Photos of this imposing structure often flashes in the news. And all because in this building there are working apartments of the President of the Russian Federation. The standard, fluttering on the flagstaff above the dome of the building, serves as a symbol of Russian statehood. Is it possible to get into the Senate Palace for an ordinary tourist? Who is the author of this architectural masterpiece? This you will learn from our article.

History of the beginning of construction

In 1775, under the reign of Catherine II, legislative reform took place in Russia. The supreme body of state power of the empire was established - the Government Senate. Catherine II decided to move him from the then capital, St. Petersburg, to Moscow. In this regard, she issued a decree to build in the Kremlin a new building for this important state body. This privileged part of the city was at that time dense building. The government has redeemed their palaces from the princes of Baryatinsky and Trubetskoy. But the place set aside by the Empress for the Senate building in the Moscow Kremlin was not very convenient for construction. Rather, it required a special approach of the architect. It was a triangular platform, sandwiched between Chudov Monastery, Arsenal and the Kremlin wall. As a result, only two architects took up the planning: MF Kazakov and KI Blank. The first project won the competition.

Building

The construction of the palace for the administrative and judicial departments of the Senate did not regret the funds. Ordinary workers were paid from ten to thirty-six rubles - at that time very large sums of money. Construction was carried out in 1776. The work was headed by Matvey Kazakov himself. The Senate building in the Moscow Kremlin was presented to the court of Catherine II in 1790. After examining him, she was very pleased and granted Kazakov two thousand four hundred rubles for a lifetime pension. The architect really did a titanic work. His brave project frightened even seasoned builders. It is said that the workers refused to remove the supporting dome of the forest, fearing that it would collapse, because it was kept in a layer of one brick. To encourage the builders, Kazakov himself rose on the roof. Initially, the dome of the Senate Palace was decorated with the equestrian statue of St. George the Victorious. In 1812, after the capture of Moscow, Napoleon's troops were dismantled and took with them to France. After that, the statue was replaced by a pillar with the symbol of the imperial authority and the inscription "Law", as judicial institutions began to be located in the Senate Palace. After the October coup in 1917, a flag pole was installed on the dome - first with a red cloth, and then, since 1991, with a Russian tricolor.

Senate building in the Moscow Kremlin: style of architecture

Kazakov built the palace with an eye to what state authorities would work there. The building itself was supposed to embody the ideals of legality and justice. Therefore, the main architect inspired the inspiration from the canons of classical antiquity. The triangular configuration of the entire palace is divided into symmetrical parts by two buildings. The strict and laconic building of the Senate in the Moscow Kremlin, whose style is the highest embodiment of classicism, was aligned in height and scale with the nearby Arsenal. The corners of the palace are cut off. In all three facades of the building there are triumphal arches, the main one of which, facing the Senate Square, is decorated with an Ionic portico with four columns and a pediment.

The interior of the palace

The main focus of the architectural masterpiece, of course, is the Dome Hall. It was built for meetings of the nobility and was first called the White. Then, when the judicial department moved to the Senate building in the Moscow Kremlin in 1856, it was renamed Catherine. In this round hall under the beautiful dome is the marble Shokhinskaya staircase, decorated with floor lamps and sculptures of Themis. Now the hall continues to fulfill its function - government sessions are held here.

Is it possible to visit the Senate building in the Moscow Kremlin

Of course, there are other rooms in the palace. After November 1917, when Moscow again became the capital of the country, the Soviet government was sitting in the Senate building. In 1918-1922, the palace housed living rooms and the office of VI Lenin. After the death of the leader of the revolution, Stalin settled in the Senate building. In 1955 the museum "Lenin's Cabinet" was created. There he was for a long time. But when in 1994 the working apartments of the president of the Russian Federation were located in the neighborhood, the exposition was transferred to the Leninskie Gorki museum. There also moved other things from the era of those years.

Residence of the President of Russia

It consists of representative and business parts. The latter includes the offices of the President of the Russian Federation, his assistants, the library and the Security Council Chamber. The amphilade of the representative part is opened from the Armorial or the Ambassador's Hall. The name is due to the fact that it is in this room that foreign delegations accept. The second name came from the arms of the Russian Federation, which decorated the hall. The representative part occupies almost the whole building of the Senate in the Moscow Kremlin. In addition to the already mentioned Ekaterininsky Hall, it houses the state parade of the Russian president. Another name is Small, or Oval Hall.