Naprudnaya Tower, Medieval defensive tower in Khamovniki District, Russia.
Naprudnaya Tower is a cylindrical stone structure built near the Moskva River in the Khamovniki District with thick defensive walls. The upper section features decorative brickwork and openings that originally served as firing positions for defenders.
Built in the early 1500s as part of a larger convent complex, the tower was designed to monitor river crossings and guard important trade routes. It remained in use for centuries as regional security needs changed and the area around it developed.
The tower stands as a visible example of construction methods that local builders used to create fortified structures. Walking around it, you can observe how the design served both practical defense needs and architectural expression of the period.
The tower is accessible on foot from Kropotkinskaya Metro station, which is nearby in the district. Morning and afternoon visits work well as the sunlight helps highlight the stone details and surrounding architecture.
Arrow slits remain visible in the tower walls, showing how defenders were positioned to guard the river below. The pattern and size of these openings reveal details about the defensive tactics used when the structure was active.
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