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The Tsar Bell in Ivan Square

The Tsar Bell in Ivan Square

This picture of Tsar bell I took while I was waiting my clients from the special tour to the Grand Kremlin and Faceted Palaces, 1 hour before we saw our Patriarch in the Cathedrals Square.

The famous Tsar Bell stands on a huge pedestal nearby Ivan's The Great bell tower. This bell is a masterpiece of Russian craftsmen at first half of 18 century, who made attempt to cast the third time the largest bell in World Tsar Bell (number 3) with by ambitious project - weight 200 tons, height - 6 meters and diameter - 6,3 meters. For example, the previous Tsar Bell, which was casted in middle of 17th century was largest active bell in human history and had the weight about 130 tons, but it was broken in 1701 during a fire in Moscow Kremlin.

In 1734 our Empress Anna I (Ioanovna), who took Russian throne after death of Peter I (she was his niece), ordered and commissioned production of the new Tsar Bell fulfilling the dream of her grandfather, Tsar Alexei Michailovich. At first she turned to foreign craftsmen, but received excuse for this ambitious project. Only Russian craftsmen Ivan Motorin and his son agreed to make attempt to cast it and they called about 200 experienced craftsmen and the new Tsar Bell, which was finally casted in 1735, was decorated with bas-relief portraits of Tsar Alexey Mikhailovich, empress Anna Ioannovna, and also adorned with vegetation ornament in the baroque style and images of saints, angels and inscriptions telling the story of the bell.

By official version which you can learn in all guide books and even from the official Kremlin guides, in May 1737 the bell was still on casting pit underground, but terrible fire came out from a terrible Troitskiy (Trinity) fire broke out in Moscow and spread to the Kremlin buildings. When the flames on the scaffolding around the bell were being extinguished, cold water fell on the bell itself. The difference in temperature caused it to crack, and a huge piece of 11,5 ton broke off. This is official version, but not trustful for professional bell ringers who after long researches proved that it must was a mistake of craftsmen during casting process and only the mistake of craftsmen who made the wrong forms could course appearance of many cracks around the basement of the bell after the metal started to cool down inside the form. More information about the Tsar Bell, history of Russian bells and traditional styles of bell ringing in Russia you can learn at the exciting tour to the museum of bells.

PS: The broken Tsar Bell remained in the earth for almost 100 more years and was lifted up and placed on a large stone pedestal in middle of 19th century by famous French architect Auguste Montferrant who also built the famous Isaac’s Cathedral in St. Petersburg.

With BEST Regards,
Arthur Lookyanov
Tour to the Moscow Kremlin
Last Edited: April 13th, 2008

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Random customer's Responses & Recommendations.
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Angie & Seamus O'Connor
Email: By Request
From: Ireland
Date: 2004-12-07 01:00:19

We are jsut back from Russia with our new adopted son Denis. We heard about Arthur before we travelled so we booked him for Airport transfers and some shopping & sightseeing. He was FANTASTIC! We had another few friends who wanted to also use his services so Arthur brought along another driver Dima to accommodate us! Besides being way cheaper that the hotel transportation or regular taxis he offers a super service. He's interesting, friendly and nothing is too much to ask him to do. He took me shopping with a friend and helped pick out baby formuala and other essential food items. He then packed groceries & carried them to the car - what more could you ask for!! A truly Moscow Star!





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