Ivan the Great Bell Tower

Rising above the Moscow Kremlin's Cathedral Square, this white bell tower was for centuries the tallest structure in the city, a height reportedly mandated by decree so nothing could overtop it. Built in stages from the early sixteenth century, it anchors a group of belfries hung with historic bells, the largest weighing many tonnes. A steep internal climb rewards visitors with sweeping views across the Kremlin domes and the Moskva River. An exhibition at its base traces the architectural history of the fortress complex.