Where is the Spasskaya Tower located?

The tower stands on the eastern wall of the Moscow Kremlin, overlooking Red Square.

What crowns the summit of the tower?

A red star crowns the tower, installed to replace the imperial eagle.

How is official Moscow Time indicated at the site?

The Kremlin chimes installed on the tower designate official Moscow Time.

Who directed the original construction of the tower?

The Italian architect Pietro Antonio Solari built the tower following a commission by Grand Prince Ivan the Great.

What is the origin of the name of the tower?

The name stems from Saviour icons associated with the gates, including the Smolensk Saviour and the Saviour Not Made by Hands.

Under what circumstances does the Spasskaya Gate open?

The gate opens for formal state occasions, including presidential inaugurations, Victory Day processions, and the arrival of the New Year tree.

Moscow · Russia

Spasskaya Tower: what's nearby, how to get there and when to go · 2026

Residents within earshot of the chimes time daily walks around ceremonial square closures and pedestrian diversions.

Spasskaya Tower · CC BY-SA 4.0

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About the place

The Spasskaya Tower stands as the primary ceremonial gateway of the Moscow Kremlin overlooking Red Square.

Italian architect Pietro Antonio Solari designed the structure under Grand Prince Ivan the Great as the eastern gatehouse of the fortress. Early names referenced local churches before icons of the Saviour inspired the permanent title. Architects Bazhen Ogurtsov and Christopher Galloway crowned the brick base with a stone hipped roof. The tower chimes maintain the standard time transmission across the nation.

Read on

State authorities replaced the imperial double-headed eagle atop the peak with an illuminated ruby star and later ended vehicular access to protect pedestrian corridors toward neighbouring department stores. Guard platforms and traffic signals still flank the passage, though the portal swings open only for presidential inaugurations and annual parade columns. Long-term residents navigate around frequent security cordons on the plaza.

Associations

Kremlin chimesThe mechanical bells ring out the official standard time for the entire nation.
Red starReplaced the imperial double-headed eagle atop the spire during the Soviet period.
Ceremonial gatesHistoric entry point used for state receptions, parade columns, and inaugurations.
Passage closuresGeneral vehicular and foot traffic gets halted during high-level state events.
Smolensk Saviour iconCenturies-old fresco preserved on the exterior masonry after modern restoration.

Facts

Italian architect Pietro Antonio Solari constructed the tower under commissions from Grand Prince Ivan the Great.
The external gate was permanently closed to ordinary vehicular traffic to prevent disruption for pedestrians visiting nearby shopping arcades.
Soviet authorities removed the imperial double-headed eagle from the tower spire and installed an illuminated red star.
The tower clock chimes serve as the official broadcast marker for Moscow standard time.

Updated September 8, 2026Source: Wikipedia

Spasskaya Tower: what's nearby, how to get there and when to go · 2026

What is around31

The Spasskaya Tower stands as the primary ceremonial gateway of the Moscow Kremlin overlooking Red Square.

Getting there and staying

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