Voskresenskie Gates

The majestic Voskresenskie Gates represent one of the most recognizable architectural symbols of Moscow. Located between the building of the State Historical Museum and the City Duma, they serve as a ceremonial entrance to Red Square from the side of Manezhnaya Square. This unique structure is also known by its second name — Iverskie Gates, which became associated with them due to the famous Iverskaya Chapel integrated into the architectural complex. Today, the Iverskaya Chapel is an active Orthodox church, where anyone can enter to pray or simply to familiarize themselves with the historical monument. The Voskresenskie Gates have become not just an architectural landmark, but also an important spiritual center of the capital, a place of pilgrimage for believers and tourists from all over the world.

Origin of the Names and Early History

Numerous Names of the Historical Monument

Throughout their long history, the gates have changed several names, each reflecting the features of the surrounding area or important events. Initially, the structure was called Neglinnye Gates — after the Neglinnaya Tower of the Kitay-Gorod wall, on the site of which they were erected in 1535-1538. Later, the name Kuryatnye Gates appeared, connected with the nearby Kuryatny Row, where lively trade in poultry took place. Another historical name — Karetnye Gates — arose due to the nearby Karetny Yard. Perhaps the most exotic was the name Lvinyye Gates (Lion Gates), which the monument received after, in 1556, the English King Philip presented Ivan the Terrible with an unusual gift — two live lions. The cage with the predators was placed near the gates for public viewing, which aroused enormous interest among Muscovites.

Voskresenskie Gates — the Main Name

From 1680, the name Voskresenskie Gates was finally established for the structure. This happened after a revered icon of the Resurrection of Christ was placed above the arches. The name proved so enduring that it has survived to the present day, having endured centuries of historical upheavals.

Architectural Evolution Through the Centuries

Construction as Part of the Kitay-Gorod Wall

The Voskresenskie Gates were built in 1535 as an integral part of the defensive fortifications of Kitay-Gorod — the fortress wall surrounding the historical center of Moscow from the Arsenal to the Moskvoretskaya Tower of the Kremlin. The construction was supervised by the outstanding architect Petrok Maly Fryazin, an Italian master in Russian service. Initially, the gates were a powerful defensive structure with two arched passages, adapted for conducting firefights. In the lower part were the passage arches, above was a combat platform with wide merlons for defenders. From the gates, a wooden bridge was thrown across the Neglinnaya River, which in 1603 was replaced by a stone Voskresensky Bridge 44 meters long and more than 10 meters wide.

Reconstruction of 1680 and the Appearance of Tent Roofs

A radical transformation of the gates occurred in 1680 by order of Tsar Fyodor Alekseyevich. The overhead chamber was significantly rebuilt, and above appeared two majestic towers with tent-shaped completions, crowned with double-headed eagles. The architectural appearance was enriched with decorative elements in the style of Russian uzorochye — window casings, balustrades, pinnacles, and embedded semi-columns. In the constructed chambers, various institutions were housed at different times: laboratories of the adjacent Mint, the chamber of the Main Moscow Pharmacy, and from 1775 — the university printing house. In 1779, the premises were rented by the famous enlightener and journalist Nikolay Novikov, who used the printing house for publishing his progressive publications.

Iverskaya Chapel — the Spiritual Heart of the Gates

Creation and Initial Arrangement

In 1648, a significant event occurred at the gates — Tsar Aleksey Mikhailovich solemnly met the Iverskaya Icon of the Mother of God delivered from Mount Athos. In honor of this, in 1669, a wooden chapel was built on the site of the meeting, which gave the gates their second name — Iverskie. In 1781, the wooden structure was replaced with a new chapel, and ten years later, the architect Matvey Kazakov rebuilt it in stone. The chapel became one of the most revered shrines of the ancient capital. Muscovites deeply honored this place and considered it necessary to pray here before starting any important undertaking.

Traditions and Veneration

There was a pious tradition: everyone heading to Red Square or the Kremlin would venerate the Iverskaya Icon of the Mother of God before entering the Voskresenskie Gates. Men were required to remove their hats — passing under the sacred gates while wearing a hat was considered unacceptable. Merchants came to the icon before concluding trade deals, students and gymnasium pupils — before exams, travelers — before a long journey. The chapel was assigned to the Nikolo-Perervinsky Monastery and was maintained in exemplary order.

Trials Over Time

The Patriotic War of 1812

During the Patriotic War of 1812, when Moscow was occupied by Napoleon's troops, the Iverskaya Chapel was destroyed. After the expulsion of the French, the shrine was restored as a monument to victory over the invader. The interior and exterior decoration was carried out by the talented artist Pietro Gonzago. The chapel was adorned with an elegant blue dome painted with golden stars, and atop it was installed a gilded figure of an angel with a cross in hand.

Triumphal Significance in the Imperial Era

In the 18th-19th centuries, the Voskresenskie Gates were regularly used as triumphal for ceremonial events. In 1721, a magnificent procession passed through them in honor of the signing of the Treaty of Nystad, ending the Northern War. In 1742, the gates were luxuriously decorated for the coronation of Empress Elizabeth Petrovna — with 32 banners, 40 carpets, 500 bowls with burning wicks, and 38 painted pictures. Foreign embassies entered Red Square through the Voskresenskie Gates, and victorious processions passed after military campaigns. In 1896, Emperor Nicholas II rode on a white horse through the gates at the head of the solemn procession on the day of his coronation.

The Tragedy of Demolition

Destruction of the Iverskaya Chapel

After the revolution, the fate of the architectural ensemble was threatened. On the night of July 28-29, 1929, the Iverskaya Chapel was demolished in connection with the redevelopment of Red Square. In its place, a sculpture of a worker was installed, symbolizing the new era. The miraculous Iverskaya Icon was transferred to the Church of the Resurrection of Christ in Sokolniki, where it was kept for the following decades.

Demolition of the Voskresenskie Gates

In 1931, by order of Joseph Stalin, the Voskresenskie Gates themselves were demolished. The official reason was the need to ensure unimpeded passage of military equipment for participation in festive parades on Red Square. When prominent architects and cultural figures protested against the destruction of the monument, the first secretary of the Moscow City Party Committee, Lazar Kaganovich, responded categorically: his aesthetics required that columns of demonstrators from the six districts of the capital simultaneously flow onto the square. The monument was demolished without proper architectural supervision. Specialists were able to conduct only superficial measurements without detailed study of the structures. The passage at the site of the destroyed gates was named Istorichesky (Historical) — a bitter irony of fate.

Revival of the Historical Appearance

Archaeological Discoveries

In July 1988, during the repair of underground utilities in Istorichesky Passage, an unexpected discovery occurred. Employees of the Moscow Archaeological Expedition found the preserved foundation of the Voskresenskie Gates. The remains of the structure consisted of three massive pylons with passages between them, faced with white stone blocks. Archaeologists also found log structures from the 13th century, medieval ceramics, jewelry, and building materials from the 14th-17th centuries.

Restoration of 1994-1995

By decision of the Moscow Government, large-scale restoration of the historical complex began in 1994-1995. The institute "Spetsproektrestavratsiya" under the leadership of the restoration architect Oleg Zhurin conducted a thorough study of the preserved foundations and historical materials. The Voskresenskie Gates were recreated in the style of the late 17th century, and the Iverskaya Chapel was restored in the form it had at the end of the 18th century. For the chapel, the icon painter Luka from Xenophontos Monastery wrote a new image of the Iverskaya Icon, carefully copied from the original. The solemn opening of the Voskresenskie Gates and the consecration of the chapel took place on September 25, 1995. The ceremony was led by Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus' Alexy II.

Modern Significance and Symbolism

After the restoration, the passage of the Voskresenskie Gates again became pedestrian. This changed the procedure for military parades — heavy equipment stopped entering Red Square directly through the gates, using other routes. Right at the Voskresenskie Gates is located the symbolic Zero Kilometer of Moscow — a bronze mark made by the sculptor Alexander Rukavishnikov. According to folk tradition, one should stand in the center of the circle, toss a coin over the shoulder, and make a wish — then it will surely come true. The Voskresenskie Gates have once again become an integral part of the Red Square ensemble, organically connecting the historical past with the present. Every day, thousands of people pass through these gates, many stopping at the Iverskaya Chapel for prayer. The restored architectural complex reminds us of the continuity of generations and the importance of preserving historical memory. Today, the Voskresenskie Gates are under the management of the State Historical Museum and are an object of cultural heritage of federal significance. This is a living monument of Russian history, a witness to great events from the era of Ivan the Terrible to the present day.