Troitskaya Tower, Fortified tower in Tverskoy District, Russia
The Troitskaya Tower rises 80 meters (262 feet) on the northwestern wall of the Moscow Kremlin and features a passage through its center that overlooks Alexander Garden. The structure of white stone serves today as the principal visitor entrance, reached via the Troitsky Bridge which is protected by the smaller Kutafia Tower.
The tower was built between 1495 and 1499 by Italian architect Aloisio da Milano as part of the major reconstruction of the Kremlin fortifications. Its basement served as a prison for notable prisoners during the 16th and 17th centuries, holding individuals whose names appear in the chronicles of that era.
The tower takes its name from a coaching inn that stood nearby, a detail that connects the structure to the everyday life of Moscow's past. Visitors passing through notice how it frames the entrance experience and serves as a threshold between the outer city and the Kremlin's inner world.
This is the main visitor entrance to the Kremlin, so queues can form during peak times, especially in warm months. Arriving early in the day helps avoid crowds, and having your identification documents ready will speed up the entry process.
In 1707, the tower was reinforced with heavy cannons positioned to defend against Swedish military threats during regional conflicts. This modification reveals how the structure adapted to changing security needs of its era rather than remaining a static monument to the past.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
