Kutafiya Tower, Gate tower at Moscow Kremlin, Russia
Kutafiya Tower is a rectangular gate tower at Moscow Kremlin with a white stone base and red crenellated top. The structure serves as the entry point and connects to the Trinity Bridge that leads toward the fortress.
Built in 1516 by Italian architect Aleviz Fryazin, the tower was designed to defend the Trinity Bridge and control access to the Kremlin. It remained the sole outer outpost of this fortification system through centuries of change.
The tower displays medieval Russian military architecture with its defensive tiers and openings for weapons. Visitors can see how the old fortress system actually worked.
The tower is easily accessible on foot across the Trinity Bridge and forms the natural starting point for exploring the Kremlin grounds. Morning visits typically offer less crowding than later in the day.
The tower stands at about 13.5 meters tall, making it noticeably smaller than most other Kremlin towers. Despite its modest size, it proved effective as a defensive position guarding a crucial crossing point.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
