The Moscow Kremlin is a treasure trove of historical, architectural, and cultural significance, attracting millions of visitors each year. However, despite its immense fame and accessibility, there are several areas within the Kremlin that tourists cannot see. These hidden corners and restricted spaces are reserved for the Russian government, military personnel, and high-ranking officials, making them off-limits to the general public. These places offer a glimpse into the more private and sensitive aspects of Russia’s political, military, and religious history.
Here’s a look at some of the most intriguing spots inside the Kremlin that tourists cannot access:
1. The Kremlin’s Secret Bunkers
One of the most fascinating and secretive aspects of the Kremlin are its underground bunkers. These highly classified facilities were built during the Cold War to protect Russia’s leadership in the event of a nuclear attack or major catastrophe.
Why They’re Off-Limits:
- National Security: These bunkers are still in use by the Russian government and are critical to maintaining the continuity of leadership in case of an emergency. Access is strictly restricted to government officials and military personnel.
- Secretive Nature: The details about the bunkers’ locations, functions, and current use remain classified, making it one of the Kremlin’s most secretive areas.
What’s Inside:
- Nuclear Shelters: The bunkers are equipped with communications and survival equipment for Russia’s leadership, ensuring that they can continue governing in the event of a national crisis.
- Control Rooms: These rooms allow the government to maintain communication and control over the country’s defense systems and leadership in a time of war or disaster.
2. The Tsar’s Private Chambers
While many parts of the Grand Kremlin Palace are open to tourists, there are several private chambers and rooms that were used by the Russian tsars, which remain off-limits. These spaces were reserved for the royal family and high-ranking members of the court.
Why They’re Off-Limits:
- Historical Preservation: These rooms are preserved as private areas, and access is restricted to maintain their historical integrity. They are usually used for private ceremonies and official business.
- Cultural Sensitivity: Many of these rooms contain personal items and artworks that are important to Russian history, and allowing public access could compromise their preservation.
What’s Inside:
- Royal Living Quarters: The rooms contain period furniture, royal portraits, and decorative items that showcase the lavish lifestyle of the Russian tsars.
- Private Chapels: Some chambers contained private chapels, where tsarist family members would hold private services away from the public eye.
3. The Senate and State Offices
The Senate within the Kremlin serves as the headquarters for Russia’s political leadership. Inside, you’ll find offices where the Russian president and other senior officials meet and conduct government business.
Why They’re Off-Limits:
- Government Function: The Senate is still operational, serving as the administrative heart of the Russian government. It is a working space for officials, and its access is restricted to government employees and dignitaries.
- Security: The security inside these areas is stringent, with numerous security personnel, high-tech surveillance, and restricted access for non-government individuals.
What’s Inside:
- Government Offices: These include offices for key officials, where national and international policies are made and discussed.
- Meeting Rooms: Some meeting rooms in the Senate have been used for historic summits and high-level negotiations.
4. The Private Royal Armory
Although the Kremlin Armory is a popular museum showcasing Russia’s imperial treasures, there are private collections and artifacts in the Royal Armory that are not on public display.
Why They’re Off-Limits:
- Exclusive Collection: These private items are often reserved for state functions or private use by the Russian leadership.
- Historical Importance: Many of these objects are deeply tied to the Russian royal family, and their personal collections are often considered too valuable to be viewed by the general public.
What’s Inside:
- Personal Artifacts: Private crowns, robes, and ceremonial swords that belonged to the Russian tsars.
- Private Gifts: Some items are royal gifts presented to the monarchs by other heads of state, such as unique jewelry or artworks that are considered highly valuable.
5. The Kremlin’s Secret Library
The Kremlin’s library contains some of Russia’s most precious books, manuscripts, and historical records, many of which are not available to the public. This restricted library is often used by officials for research and reference purposes.
Why It’s Off-Limits:
- Confidential Information: The library houses historical records and confidential government documents, some of which are sensitive or classified. Only authorized government personnel or researchers with special permission can access these materials.
- Protection of Artifacts: Due to the rare and fragile nature of the documents, the library is closely protected, with strict security measures in place.
What’s Inside:
- Rare Manuscripts: The collection contains ancient manuscripts and books that date back to the medieval and imperial periods.
- Political Documents: These include important treaties, correspondence, and historical accounts that document Russia’s political history.
6. The Private Chapel of the Tsar
Though several churches and Cathedrals in the Kremlin, like the Annunciation Cathedral and Assumption Cathedral, are open to the public, there are private chapels inside the Kremlin that remain off-limits to tourists.
Why They’re Off-Limits:
- Royal and Religious Privacy: These chapels were used by the royal family for private worship and religious ceremonies, and they continue to be considered private spaces for those in power.
- Religious Preservation: Some chapels are still used for religious ceremonies by high-ranking church officials and government leaders, maintaining their status as sacred and protected spaces.
What’s Inside:
- Iconostasis and Religious Relics: The chapels house valuable icons, religious objects, and historical artifacts used in private ceremonies.
- Private Altar: The altars are often reserved for royal or state functions, such as private baptisms, weddings, or religious observances.
7. The Kremlin’s Hidden Passageways
Another fascinating aspect of the Kremlin is its network of secret passageways and underground tunnels. These passageways, built over centuries, were used by the royal family and high-ranking officials for privacy and security.
Why They’re Off-Limits:
- Historical Security: These passageways were constructed to keep the royal family safe and to move them discreetly between key locations within the Kremlin. They remain restricted for security reasons.
- Preservation and Safety: Many of these tunnels are not open to the public due to the risk of damage and the sensitive nature of their original purpose.
What’s Inside:
- Hidden Doors: Secret doors leading to private offices, chapels, or underground spaces that were once used to transport officials or the royal family without detection.
- Storage Rooms: Some passageways lead to storage areas where important documents, treasures, and supplies were once kept during times of war.
8. The Kremlin’s Inner Courtyards and Gardens
While the Alexander Garden and other public parks around the Kremlin are accessible, there are several private courtyards and gardens that remain hidden behind high walls, where only the Kremlin’s residents and officials are allowed.
Why They’re Off-Limits:
- Private Royal Spaces: These gardens were historically reserved for the royal family and are still considered private spaces, often used for rest and ceremonial purposes.
- Security and Privacy: Some of the Kremlin’s most secure areas, including these gardens, are off-limits to ensure the privacy and safety of the Russian leadership.
What’s Inside:
- Private Gardens: Quiet, serene gardens where the royal family could relax away from the public eye.
- Private Fountains and Statues: The gardens often contain decorative fountains, statues, and flowers that were part of the royal lifestyle.
Conclusion: The Hidden Kremlin
While much of the Moscow Kremlin is open to visitors, it’s clear that many hidden spaces within its walls remain off-limits to the public. These restricted areas serve various purposes, from governmental functions and security to royal rituals and historical preservation. The Kremlin’s hidden corners and inaccessible spots add to its mystique and significance, making it not just a monumental site for tourists but also a living testament to Russia’s political, religious, and historical power.
