Izmailovsky Kremlin

Join our Moscow tours:

Book the Moscow city tour and discover city’s attractions by foot on one of the many walks, or take a tour by car/minivan or vintage Soviet car.

With Moscow layover tour you will be able to escape the airport and explore city’s attractions in between your flights.

Almost every tourist who visited Moscow is familiar with the Kremlin, but only few of them know that there is another one located out of the mainstream tourist path.

Generally, “Kremlin” is a Russian word meaning a fortification built to protect a city. But it’s not the case with the Izmailovsky Kremlin. It doesn’t perform the function of any fortification and perhaps isn’t very historically accurate. It was built as a cultural and entertainment complex in 2007 with an imitation of the Russian architecture of the 18th century. Here one can find Tsar`s Palace, built with the same style as ‎the summer palace of Tsar Alexey Mikhailovich in Kolomenskoye; the Church of St. Nicholas, the highest wooden church in Russia (46 m/151 ft in height); museums, cafes, souvenir shops etc.

There are two remarkable markets next to the Izmailovsky Kremlin: a flea market and the Izmailovsky Vernisazh. The Vernisazh offers variety of souvenirs and handcrafts from different Russian regions in traditional styles such as Khokloma, Gzhel, Palekh, while in the flea market you can purchase antiques, furniture, old books, etc.

The Izmailovsky Kremlin houses several museums:

  1. Museum of Russian vodka. Open daily from 10:00 to 20:00. Entrance fee: 180 rub. Guided tours by appointment only.
    The museum introduces the visitors to the centuries long history of Russian vodka. What is “chekushka”? How big is the traditional Russian cup? What kinds of vodka were the most popular among members of different social groups? Visit the museum and find the answers. Besides, the visitors can see an originally made installation, showing a Russian monk by the first distillation unit equipped with all the necessary devices including a coil pipe.
    In addition to the interesting collection, the Museum houses a Tractir (Restaurant), where one can taste the best sorts of Russian vodka. The Tractir open daily from 10:00 to 18:00.
    To get to the museum, enter the Kremlin through the main gate and turn left. The Museum is located inside the pink building with wooden door.
  2. Museum of Russian Folk Arts. Open on Tuesday by appointment only 10:00-18:00, Wednesday-Friday 10:00-15:00, Saturday-Sunday 10:00-18:00. Monday is a day off. Guided tours by appointment only.
    The museum presents different works of folk artists: old folk musical instruments, household items and utensils, folk costumes, etc. The visitors will immerse in a rich and colorful world of the Russian folk art.
  3. Museum of bread. Wednesday through Friday from 10:00 to 18:00. Saturday-Sunday 10:00-19:00. Monday-Tuesday are days off.
    The exposition contains about 1000 exhibits of several types of bread. The museum presents the tradition of baking and devices used for centuries.
    The museum of bread includes a workshop, where visitors can bake and decorate gingerbread, learn the secret of making traditional Russian pancakes and rastyigays.
    Also the Museum has a cozy “Grandma’s buffet” where one can buy beautiful and delicious gingerbread, taste pastries and Russian pancakes, as well as drink tea, made in a samovar.
  4. Museum of the History of the Russian Fleet. Visits by appointment only.
    Museum of the History of the Russian Fleet was opened in 2009. It tells about the achievements of Peter the Great in the creation of the Russian navy and introduces to the main stages of the research work of Russian sailors, the course of the First Kamchatka Expedition, the history of the Crimean War, the Russian-Japanese war of 1905 and World War II.
    Among the museum highlights are personal belongings of the crew of the “Varyag” cruiser and its Captain Vsevolod Rudnev, nautical charts and diaries. Other exhibits: parts of mines and bombs, bullets, cold weapon, etc.
  5. Museum of marshmallow. Monday through Friday 11:00-19:00. Saturday-Sunday by appointment only. Admission – 350 Rub, tea party – 1000 Rub.
    Russian marshmellow or Pastila is made by hand according to old recipes. The visitors will learn the history of Russian marshmallow and will try it.
  6. Museum of plasticine miniatures “World History”. Wednesday through Sunday from 10:00 to 17:00.
  7. Museum of Animation. Wednesday through Sunday from 10:00 to 17:00.
  8. Museum of Chocolate. Wednesday through Friday from 10:00 to 15:00. Saturday-Sunday 10:00-18:00

 

Opening hours:

The Izmayilovsky Kremlin: dayly from 10:00 to 20:00 pm
The flea market: Saturday-Sunday from 09:00 to 17:00
The Izmailovsky Vernisazh: Saturday-Sunday and Wednesday (day of wholesale trade) from 09:00 to 18:00.

Entrance fee 

The Kremlin, the flea market and the Vernisazh: free

To get to Izmaylovsky Kremlin:

Latitude: 55°47′39″ N

Longitude: 37°45′01″ E

The closest metro station is Partizanskaya. The Kremlin is 300-400 m (1000-1300 ft) far from the station. Get out Partizanskaya metro station (it has only one exit) and turn left. You will see a multistoried building of “Izmailovo” hotel complex. Go along the complex until you see white-stone and wooden towers of the Izmailovsky Kremlin.

Didn't find a suitable tour?

Check out the full list of the most interesting tours in Russian cities.

Book the tour