Зачатьевская башня, Historic fortress tower in Nizhny Novgorod, Russia
The Zachatyevskaya Tower stands between Belaya and Borisoglebskaya towers in the lower section of the Kremlin, overlooking the Volga riverbanks. The current structure, rebuilt in 2012, houses archaeological discoveries and fragments from the original tower walls.
Construction took place between 1500 and 1514 as part of the Kremlin fortification system. Structural damage forced the passage to close in 1622, and it remained sealed for centuries until the recent reconstruction.
The tower takes its name from the adjacent Zachatyevsky Monastery that once stood on the Volga riverbank. This proximity shaped how local people identified and referred to the structure throughout its existence.
Access is available through the lower section of the Kremlin, where you can walk along the fortification walls and river views. The interior space is modest, so plan for a brief visit to see the archaeological display without rushing.
The tower went by several names throughout history, including White Tower for its limestone foundation and Zhivonosovskaya Tower after a nearby healing spring. These shifting names reveal how locals understood and described the structure at different times.
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