←Zvenigorod: At the Call of the Bell

Zvenigorod: At the Call of the Bell

Photo of route “Zvenigorod: At the Call of the Bell”
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Zvenigorod is an ancient town near Moscow set among picturesque hills. In a single day you can see the Savvino-Storozhevsky Monastery and the Dormition Cathedral with its 15th-century frescoes, stroll through the town park and visit the Museum of Russian Desserts.

Route author

Susanin Team

Things to do

  • 📜 Learn the city's history
  • 🏰🕵️‍♂️ Discover a legend
  • 🗺️🎒 Themed route

Route points (8)

  1. Palace of Tsar Alexei Mikhailovich — point on route “Zvenigorod: At the Call of the Bell”

    Palace of Tsar Alexei Mikhailovich

    📜 Historic site · 🏰 Palace

  2. Savvino-Storozhevsky Monastery — point on route “Zvenigorod: At the Call of the Bell”

    Savvino-Storozhevsky Monastery

    🕍 Place of worship · 🕵️ Urban legend · 📜 Historic site

  3. Tsaritsa's Chambers — point on route “Zvenigorod: At the Call of the Bell”

    Tsaritsa's Chambers

    🕵️ Urban legend · 🏰 Palace · 📜 Historic site

  4. Dormition Cathedral — point on route “Zvenigorod: At the Call of the Bell”

    Dormition Cathedral

    🕍 Place of worship · 📜 Historic site

  5. Ramparts of the Zvenigorod Kremlin — point on route “Zvenigorod: At the Call of the Bell”

    Ramparts of the Zvenigorod Kremlin

    🏯 Fortress remains · 🕵️ Urban legend

  6. Museum of Russian Desserts — point on route “Zvenigorod: At the Call of the Bell”

    Museum of Russian Desserts

    🏛️ Museum

  7. The Great Annunciation Bell — point on route “Zvenigorod: At the Call of the Bell”

    The Great Annunciation Bell

    🗿 Sculptures

  8. Zvenigorod Town Park — point on route “Zvenigorod: At the Call of the Bell”

    Zvenigorod Town Park

    🌿 Public garden or park

Palace of Tsar Alexei Mikhailovich in Zvenigorod

Point on route “Zvenigorod: At the Call of the Bell”

Palace of Tsar Alexei Mikhailovich — point on route “Zvenigorod: At the Call of the Bell”
Palace of Tsar Alexei Mikhailovich — point on route “Zvenigorod: At the Call of the Bell”

Point 1

Palace of Tsar Alexei Mikhailovich

📜 Historic site • 🏰 Palace

Historical Context

Tsar Alexei Mikhailovich's private chambers appeared on the grounds of the Savvino-Storozhevsky Monastery in the mid-17th century. They became part of the architectural ensemble that largely shaped the look of Zvenigorod. The building went up in stages: first the northern wing was built, then new rooms and formal chambers were added, and under Tsarevna Sophia a second floor was built on top. For centuries the chambers served as a residence for the royal family during pilgrimages. After a major fire in 1742 the palace was rebuilt and redesigned, and under Catherine the Great a seminary opened here. In Soviet times the building was used as a military sanatorium; today it once again belongs to the monastery.

Architecture and Layout

Alexei Mikhailovich's chambers are a rare example of a 17th-century secular building that has survived to this day. Originally the building had one story, with wooden second floors over some rooms. The central part held the tsar's private quarters, while the other rooms were used by the family and for household needs. After a stone second floor was added, the facades took on features of several architectural periods at once. During restoration in the 20th century, care was taken to preserve the historic proportions and decorative details, so today the building fits well into the monastery ensemble.

Today

Today the chambers are open to visitors along with the other buildings of the Savvino-Storozhevsky Monastery. The building's architectural variety can be seen from different points around the monastery: from the outside you can make out the levels, the floors and surviving fragments of old masonry. Inside, the historic layout has been partly restored. The palace remains one of Zvenigorod's most interesting landmarks for anyone curious about history, architecture and the life of the royal family.