Faceted Chamber

The Faceted Chamber is a unique monument of Russian architecture, built at the end of the 15th century within the Moscow Kremlin. This is the oldest surviving civil stone building in the capital, which for several centuries served as the main ceremonial hall of Russian rulers. The majestic building witnessed key events in national history — from diplomatic receptions to celebrations of major military victories.

History of the Architectural Masterpiece

Construction Ordered by Ivan III

The construction of the Faceted Chamber began during the rise of the Moscow principality as the center of a unified Russian state. Grand Prince Ivan III, realizing the need for a proper residence for ceremonial receptions, decided to build a grand hall worthy of the growing state’s prestige. The work was carried out from 1487 to 1491 under the direction of invited Italian architects Marco Fryazin and Pietro Antonio Solari. The choice of foreign masters reflected a desire to introduce advanced European building technologies and Renaissance architectural traditions into Russian architecture.

Origin of the Name

Initially, the structure was known as the Great Chamber. Its modern name arose from the unusual treatment of the main façade — the white limestone blocks were carved into faceted shapes resembling cut gemstones. This cladding technique, typical of the Italian Renaissance, gave the building its poetic name — the Faceted Chamber.

Architectural Features and Structural Solutions

Exterior Appearance

The two-story building combines elements of the Italian Renaissance with traditional Russian architectural forms. A notable feature is the complete independence of the basement level from the upper story. Historical documents indicate that the first floor housed heating furnaces and utility rooms — storage cellars and guard quarters. The ceremonial Red Staircase served as the grand entrance to the chamber. The word “red” in Old Russian meant “beautiful.” The original staircase was demolished in the 1930s but reconstructed in the 1990s as an exact replica, preserving all architectural details.

The Ceremonial Throne Hall

The second floor contains a grand hall of about 500 square meters with vaulted ceilings 9 meters high. The architectural layout resembles a monastic refectory — a spacious room with a single central pillar supporting the vaults. This engineering solution was considered a marvel of its time. Natural light enters through 18 windows on three sides of the hall. The main windows face Cathedral Square — the location of the Tsar’s throne. In the evenings, four massive bronze chandeliers illuminate the hall, emphasizing the solemnity of the interior.

Interior Decoration and Symbolic Ornamentation

Holy Vestibule — The Ceremonial Entrance

The path to the main hall passes through the Holy Vestibule — a space adorned with gilded white-stone portals and carved doors. The walls and vaults are covered with frescoes on biblical and historical themes, including the Baptism of Rus’ and Saint Sergius of Radonezh blessing Dmitry Donskoy before the Battle of Kulikovo. The Vestibule features six decorative doorways with gilded carvings. Three are functional, leading to the Main Hall, the Grand Kremlin Palace, and the Terem Palace. The other three are skillful “false doors,” added in the 19th century to preserve architectural symmetry.

Carving of the Central Pillar

The central pillar is decorated with graceful carvings of animals and birds, each symbolizing the qualities of an ideal ruler:

• the serpent — wisdom and mental agility
• the deer — kindness and mercy
• the lion — courage and strength
• the crane — vigilance and caution
• the pelican — self-sacrifice
• dolphins — care for subjects

A scene depicting a bird triumphing over a serpent symbolizes the victory of good over evil, while the tree at the center represents a flourishing state. Interestingly, the carving was restored thanks to the discovery of alabaster reliefs by Pietro Antonio Solari, found among the collections transferred from the Rumyantsev Museum.

Fresco Painting — A Chronicle of Russian History

Biblical and Historical Themes

The walls and vaults are covered with large-scale frescoes created in the late 19th century by the Palekh masters, the Belousov brothers, based on 17th-century descriptions by icon painter Simon Ushakov. The ceilings depict scenes from the Creation, the stories of Adam and Eve, and episodes from the life of the biblical Joseph. The western wall displays a moral parable about righteous and unrighteous judges. One fresco shows a corrupt judge imprisoning an innocent man for a bribe, his soul later condemned to hell — a vivid example of the didactic character of the paintings.

Gallery of Russian Rulers

The eastern wall, where the royal throne stood, is adorned with portraits of the founders of the Rurik dynasty — Rurik, Igor, and Svyatoslav. The composition includes the “Calling of the Varangians,” emphasizing the antiquity and legitimacy of Moscow’s royal lineage. The walls also display portraits of notable rulers:

• Vladimir the Great — the baptizer of Rus’, depicted with his twelve sons
• Yuri Dolgorukiy — founder of Moscow
• Alexander Nevsky — defender of the Fatherland
• Ivan Kalita — gatherer of Russian lands
• Dmitry Donskoy — victor of the Battle of Kulikovo
• Ivan IV the Terrible — the first Russian Tsar
• Fyodor Ivanovich and Boris Godunov

The Secret Chamber — A Mysterious Room for Royal Ladies

Above the main hall lies a small room known as the Secret Chamber. Built between 1684 and 1686, it served as a “women’s gallery” from which queens and princesses could discreetly observe state ceremonies through a special window, since women were not permitted to participate directly. A curious structural feature is that the western wall was originally made of clay pots to lighten the load on the vestibule’s vaults. However, historians believe that the legend of secret observation may be exaggerated, as documents suggest the room was later used for furniture storage.

Historical Significance of the Faceted Chamber

The Main Hall of the Russian State

For centuries, the chamber hosted the most important state ceremonies, including:

• receptions of foreign ambassadors and diplomatic missions
• enthronement rites of grand princes and emperors
• celebrations of major military victories
• sessions of the Zemsky Sobor (national assembly)
• religious debates and church reform discussions

Ivan the Terrible celebrated the conquest of Kazan here; Peter the Great marked the victory at Poltava. In the mid-17th century, a historic Zemsky Sobor decided on the reunification of Russia and Ukraine. In total, 19 rulers were crowned here, the last being Nicholas II in 1896.

Tested by Time

Over its long history, the building survived several devastating fires, the worst in 1737, which destroyed half the Kremlin. Though repeatedly restored, the large-scale reconstruction of 2009–2011 returned the interiors almost to their original 15th-century appearance.

Interesting Facts and Cultural Legacy

Records and Achievements

At the time of its completion, the Faceted Chamber was the largest ceremonial hall in Europe. This achievement reflected both the growing might of the Moscow state and the skill of its builders. During the 21st-century restoration, over 10 kilograms of gold were used for the embroidered furniture upholstery. The work was carried out by gold-embroidery artisans of the St. Petersburg workshop “Ubrous,” who recreated historical patterns of decorative art.

The Faceted Chamber in Art and Literature

The chamber’s historical role is reflected in the arts. Alexander Pushkin mentioned it in his tragedy “Boris Godunov,” where the Tsar and his boyars discuss the threat of the impostor Grigory Otrepiev under its painted vaults. The artist Vasily Perov depicted the interior of the Main Hall in his painting “Nikita Pustosvyat: Dispute on Faith,” dedicated to the 17th-century religious schism. The painting, housed in the State Tretyakov Gallery, serves as a valuable historical document capturing the chamber’s appearance.

Visitor Information

How to Join a Tour

The Faceted Chamber is part of the Grand Kremlin Palace complex — the official residence of the President of the Russian Federation. Independent visits are not allowed; access is available only through organized tours booked in advance via official Kremlin tour operators. Visiting conditions:

• passport information required when booking
• tour duration: 1.5 hours
• group tour cost for 2–20 people — from 5000 rubles
• dates may change due to official events
• multi-level security screening at the entrance
• visitors are advised to limit personal belongings
• photography allowed only in select ceremonial halls

The building’s exterior can be viewed with a Kremlin territory ticket, allowing appreciation of the façade’s faceted white stonework.

How to Get to the Kremlin

The most convenient way is by metro. The nearest stations, “Biblioteka Imeni Lenina” and “Aleksandrovsky Sad,” are about 600 meters from the chamber. Alternatively, bus routes е10, м1, м2, м6, м7, м9 stop at “Metro ‘Biblioteka Imeni Lenina.’” From the Kutafya Tower, Cathedral Square is just a few minutes’ walk away.

Modern Significance

The Faceted Chamber is rightly called the heart of the Moscow Kremlin. For more than five centuries, it has remained a place where the fateful matters of Russian statehood are decided. Today, it continues to host the nation’s most distinguished guests and official ceremonies. This architectural monument holds immense historical and cultural value. Every detail — from the frescoes to the carved central pillar — carries deep meaning, reflecting ideals of power, statehood, and virtue. Visiting the Faceted Chamber offers a rare opportunity to touch the living history of Russia and feel the grandeur of past eras.