7th October, 2012

Moscow’s Underground

The metro train was not as smart as we expected them to be in the suburban line we caught into the Kremlin

Much smarter stations in the city centre however

Construction began in 1932, and carries about 7 million people per day now

Just follow the coloured dots and remember the pattern of the words!

These bronzes are in each entrance to the Kremlin’s underground platforms

The ever watchful eye as we brush past....

Queuing up for the Kremlin in the rain.. it was worth seeing the ‘Armoury’s huge collection of Jewellery and the Crown Jewels, one one of 3 in the world, the other two being the Crown Jewells iin London and those belonging to  the Shah of Iran

The Kremlin walls look very secure!

The construction of the magnificent Cathedrals of the Assumption, the Annunciation and the Archangel, and the uniquely Russian Terem Palace, the royal residence was all done happening during the 15th and 16th Centuries.  The addition of the Ivan the Great Bell Tower added to the imposing Kremlin skyline, but it had to be cast a second time!

Angela, Pat, Barbara and Marie accompanied David around the Kremlin the following day, whilst I stayed behind and nursed a streaming cold..

They had the coldest day in Moscow whilst we were there

The huge bell cracked during its casting, so was never used!

The Cathedral of the Assumption within the Kremlin

I simply had to include all these painted dolls, it seemed to be the only souvenirs available – but very expensive, as every single one of them is meticulously painted by hand!