Moscow Kremlin
The article contains information about the Moscow Kremlin as it relates to Nationstates. For more general information, please see the Wikipedia article on the subject.
The Moscow Kremlin (Russian: Московский Кремль) is the best known kremlin (Russian citadel). It is a historical fortified complex overlooking the Red Square in Moscow, which includes Kremlin Palaces, Kremlin Cathedrals, and the enclosing Kremlin Wall with Kremlin towers. The complex serves as the official residence and principal workplace of the President of the Russian Federation. However, most of these features changed after the Systematization Program.
History
The site originates from the first settlements in the area on Borovitsky Hill where the Neglinnaya River flowed into the Moskva River. From the 11th century there was a significant fortified structure on the hill. The city was greatly extended by Prince Yuri Dolgoruky in the 12th century. The fortress was named the Kremlin in 1331. Between 1366-1368, during the rule of Dmitri Donskoi, a white-stone citadel was constructed. By the 15th century the principalities of Russia were united under Grand Prince Ivan III of Moscow, who became the Grand Prince of All Russia. He organised the reconstruction of the Kremlin, inviting a number of noted builders from Italy, the architect Aristotile Fioravanti among them.
In 2005, the Kremlin was visably different. The Systematization Program had "modernized" the massive, government complex creating a central hub for the entire Soviet Union. Currently, only the Kremlin Walls and Towers remain of the ancient fortress. The rest was torn down and destroyed to make way for the Kremlin (a massive single skyscraper containing all the necessary components of the executive branch).
