Armoury Chamber

The Armoury Chamber of the Moscow Kremlin is a unique state treasury that houses priceless artifacts of Russian history. The museum occupies a majestic building erected specifically for storing royal relics in the mid-19th century. The collection numbers over four thousand exhibits, including ancient Russian and European weapons, precious regalia of monarchs, church relics, and luxurious items of ceremonial decoration.

History of the Treasury Museum

The foundation of the Armoury Chamber dates back to the 16th century, when the Armoury Department operated at the royal court. Initially, the institution truly served as a storage place for royal weapons, which determined its name. However, under Peter the Great, the chamber’s function transformed — it became a division of the state treasury, where the most valuable items from royal and patriarchal storages were brought. The modern museum building was designed by the prominent architect Konstantin Thon and completed in 1851. It forms part of a single architectural ensemble with the Grand Kremlin Palace, executed in a solemn Russo-Byzantine style. Since 1960, the Armoury Chamber has officially been part of the Moscow Kremlin State Museums.

Structure of the Museum Exhibition

The permanent exhibition is located in nine thematic halls on two floors of the historic building. Visitors can explore various collections:

• Works of Russian and foreign jewelers in gold and silver
• Examples of weaponry craftsmanship from Russia, Europe, and the East
• Precious fabrics and ceremonial garments of the imperial family
• State regalia and symbols of power of Russian autocrats
• Horse harnesses and ceremonial riding accessories
• Royal carriages and coaches from different eras

Additional exhibitions are periodically held in the museum’s Grand Vestibule, where thematic displays take place. The current schedule is always available on the institution’s official website.

Outstanding Exhibits of the Armoury Chamber

The museum’s collection allows one to trace the development of Russian statehood from the 12th to the early 20th century. Below are some of the most significant artifacts of the treasury.

The Chainmail of Boyar Shuisky

Hall No. 1 features unique protective armor belonging to the voivode of Ivan the Terrible’s era — Pyotr Shuisky. The woven shirt consists of sixteen thousand iron rings and weighs over eleven kilograms. After the first owner’s death, the chainmail was granted by the Tsar to the legendary conqueror of Siberia, ataman Yermak Timofeyevich. After Yermak’s death, the armor returned to the state treasury and later became part of the museum collection.

Chalice of the 13th Century

A large silver church chalice decorated with gilded medallions depicting saints. Scholars date the relic to the 13th century and associate its creation with masters of the Vladimir-Suzdal principality. The piece was likely commissioned by Prince Yuri Vsevolodovich, grandson of Moscow’s founder Yuri Dolgorukiy. For centuries, the chalice was used in the Transfiguration Cathedral of Pereslavl-Zalessky for liturgies and became part of the Kremlin collection in 1930.

The Great Zion of the Assumption Cathedral

This sacred church vessel is a miniature model of an Orthodox temple, intended to hold the Holy Gifts. It was created in 1486 by order of Grand Prince Ivan III for ceremonial services in the Kremlin’s main cathedral. The relic is made of gilded silver and adorned with finely carved figures of the twelve apostles.

The Osten-Sacken Weapon Set

Hall No. 3 houses a unique set crafted by French gunsmith Nicolas Noël Boutet. The set was presented to Russian Prince Fabian Osten-Sacken by the grateful citizens of Paris in 1814. After Napoleon’s defeat, the prince served as the city’s governor-general and earned the respect of Parisians for his fairness. In 1835, he donated the precious set to the museum. It includes a double-barreled rifle, a pair of pistols, weapon care accessories, and a luxurious sword with a lapis lazuli handle inlaid with diamonds.

The Feudal Cup with an Eagle Figure

This gilded table ornament was cast in Germany in the mid-16th century and originally belonged to Danish King Christian IV. In 1628, the rare item was acquired for Russian Tsar Mikhail Fyodorovich. The eagle figure is crafted with remarkable precision — every feather is visible. The pedestal is decorated with miniature depictions of insects and amphibians, made by pouring metal into molds of real creatures.

The Coronation Mantle of the Empress

Hall No. 6 displays the luxurious robe of Alexandra Fyodorovna, wife of the last Russian Emperor. She wore it during the coronation of Nicholas II in May 1896. The mantle, made of ermine fur with a long train, required eight hundred Siberian pelts. Its pattern consists of double-headed eagles arranged in a checkerboard layout. Over the mantle, the empress wore a silver brocade gown embroidered with pearls by the nuns of the Ivanovsky Convent.

The Monomakh’s Cap — Symbol of Tsarist Power

Hall No. 7 presents one of the most famous relics of Russian history. This ancient headdress served as the main attribute of the coronation ceremony from the 16th to the late 17th century. It was worn by all rulers — from Ivan the Terrible to Ivan Alekseyevich. During later coronations, the regalia occupied a place of honor as a symbol of dynastic continuity. The artifact’s origin is shrouded in legend. According to the 16th-century treatise “The Tale of the Princes of Vladimir,” the headdress was gifted to Russian Prince Vladimir Monomakh by Byzantine Emperor Constantine IX. This version reinforced the concept of Moscow as the heir to Byzantium and the new center of Orthodox civilization. The cap is adorned with sapphires, emeralds, and rubies, yet weighs less than a kilogram — only 994 grams.

The Crown of Anna Ioannovna

This imperial crown was created in 1730 in the court workshop under jeweler Samson Larionov. It consists of two gilded hemispheres connected by a hoop and decorated with 2,500 diamonds, rubies, and tourmalines. Of special note is the 100-gram tourmaline beneath the cross. The crown was used during Nicholas I’s coronation in Warsaw and is depicted on the Great Coat of Arms of the Russian Empire.

The Double Throne of the Co-Ruling Tsars

This unique throne was crafted by Kremlin masters in 1682 for the simultaneous rule of two young tsars — eleven-year-old Peter (the future Emperor) and his fifteen-year-old half-brother Ivan. After the death of the childless Tsar Fyodor Alekseyevich, Patriarch Joachim proposed crowning both heirs. The throne is richly decorated with symbols of power: double-headed eagles and crowns. Researchers believe that some elements were borrowed from the throne of the first Romanov Tsar, Mikhail Fyodorovich. Behind the throne’s backrest is a small hidden compartment, where, according to one version, an advisor sat, prompting the young rulers with answers during audiences with foreign envoys.

The Feather Aigrette with Yellow Sapphire

Hall No. 8 exhibits a jeweled horse harness ornament presented to Empress Catherine II by Turkish Sultan Abdul Hamid in 1775. The gift was made after the signing of the Treaty of Küçük Kaynarca, which ended the Russo-Turkish War. The gold ornament is encrusted with diamonds of various sizes, and at its center shines a rare rectangular yellow sapphire. When viewed from different angles, the stone shimmers with hues up to deep orange. Horse adornments held special importance at the imperial court, as every royal procession was meant to display the power of the empire.

The Carriage of Empress Elizabeth

Hall No. 9 features a luxurious mid-18th-century coach — a gift from Count Kirill Razumovsky to Empress Elizabeth Petrovna. The carriage was crafted by the finest French artisans of the time. Its entirely gilded body is adorned with ornate Rococo carvings reminiscent of sea waves. The coach also boasted technical innovations: the design included springs and a turning circle, ensuring smooth movement and easy handling. The interior comfortably accommodated four passengers.

Visitor Information

Opening Hours and Visiting Details

The museum is open from Friday to Wednesday. Thursday is a day off. Visits take place in sessions beginning at 10:00, 12:00, 14:30, and 16:30. Each session lasts one and a half hours. Entrance to the Armoury Chamber is through the Kremlin’s Borovitskaya Gate. As the area is a restricted zone, a security check is required. Visitors are advised to arrive at least thirty minutes before their scheduled session. To preserve the unique exhibits, photography and video recording are prohibited inside the museum. Free audio guides are available upon presentation of a passport or a refundable deposit.

Ticket Prices

• Adult ticket — 1000 rubles
• Discounted ticket for students and pensioners — 500 rubles
• Free admission for children under 16
• Every second Tuesday of the month — free entry for minors and members of large families

The number of tickets per session is limited, so it is recommended to purchase them in advance on the museum’s official website.

How to Get to the Museum

The best way is by metro. Within walking distance of the Armoury Chamber are the stations:

• “Borovitskaya”
• “Biblioteka imeni Lenina”
• “Aleksandrovsky Sad”
• “Arbatskaya”
• “Okhotny Ryad”
• “Ploshchad Revolyutsii”

If traveling by surface transport, exit at the stops “Borovitskaya Square” or “Metro ‘Biblioteka imeni Lenina’.” Thanks to the museum’s central location, a visit to the Armoury Chamber can be conveniently combined with a walk around Red Square and Moscow’s historic center.

Additional Opportunities

Adjacent to the Armoury Chamber is the Diamond Fund of the Russian Federation, which houses the imperial crown, the legendary diamonds “Shah” and “Orlov,” and other unique jewels. Visiting the Diamond Fund requires a separate ticket. The museum offers general and themed tours for adult and children’s groups. Tours can be booked by phone or through the official website. Prices range from 400 to 4000 rubles depending on group size. All museum halls are equipped for comfortable visits by people with disabilities. Each exhibit is accompanied by detailed explanatory labels.

Conclusion

The Armoury Chamber of the Moscow Kremlin is a unique treasury of Russian history and culture. The museum’s collection impresses not only with its abundance of gold and precious stones but also with the historical significance of each exhibit. Here are concentrated the main regalia of Tsarist Russia, bearing witness to the key events in the nation’s history. A visit to the Armoury Chamber is a journey through centuries of Russian history — from ancient principalities to imperial Russia. Each artifact is not only a work of art but also a vessel of historical memory, linked with the destinies of rulers and pivotal events. For the most complete experience and deeper immersion in the grandeur of Russian statehood, it is recommended to visit the museum with a professional guide. This ensures no important details are missed and allows for a richer understanding of the royal treasures.