Hall Of Facets

Save
  • Address
    Granovitaya palata, Kremlin
  • Show map Close map

Let us know if these details are incorrect

Lonely Planet review

Named for its Italian Renaissance stone facing, the Hall of Facets was designed and built by Marco Ruffo and Pietro Solario between 1487 and 1491 during the reign of Ivan III. Its upper floor housed the tsar's throne room, scene of banquets and ceremonies.

Access to the Hall of Facets was via an outside staircase from the square below. During the Streltsky Rebellion of 1682, several of Peter the Great's relatives were tossed down the exterior Red Staircase, so called because it ran red with their blood. (It's no wonder that Peter hated Moscow and decided to start afresh with a new capital in St Petersburg.) Stalin destroyed the staircase, but it was rebuilt in 1994.

The namesake hall is 500 sq metres with a supporting pillar in the centre. The walls are decorated with gorgeous murals of biblical and historical themes, although none is original. Unfortunately, the entire building is closed to the public.