Red Square

After a long walk to the subway and a few quick changes in the stations my girlfriend and I emerged onto a busy street at the center of Moscow. We walked past a few shops and souveneir stands and then I saw a large brick building where people were entering. It was the Kremlin. Wow, so that's the famous Kremlin, I thought. I always thought of the Kremlin or Kreml as Russians call it, to be a government fortress full of spies and government agents. I couldn't have been more wrong.
As we purchased our tickets, we walked across Red Square toward the entrance.
I have to say that Red Square is quite inspiring just from the history it represents. I saw so many black and white movies of Soviet Soldiers stepping sharply on this football field sized arena. It looked much bigger on TV. Still it was humbling to think how much has changed, and how an American could freely walk and tour this country now with no cause for concern or fear.

We entered the Kreml and there I saw what it was all about. Churches, everywhere, one next to another. This is where a town drew it's strength in the olden days. Churches were the center of the town, and the more they had the closer they were to becoming a city. I think it took 33 churches for a town to be elevated to "city" status.

The cathedrals are inspiring to put it mildly. I was told Russians were all atheists...um, that's so wrong! These churches are not the work or heritage of atheists. Granted, communism and the Soviet Empire banned religion, and many churches were destroyed during that dark time. But the remaining buildings are spectacular. Russians are mostly Orthodox in their beliefs, although some Catholic and Muslims also inhabit the culture.

We walked into each Church and admired the paintings on the walls, the tombs of buried royalty and many other treasures justifiably protected in the Kreml walls. The governmental fortress I expected was nothing like I imagined. It's true the President of Russia does reside their in a large building off to the side, but it's almost ignored compared to the historical landmarks you will encounter.

It took weeks to absorb all I saw in my brief time inside the Kreml. Each time I look at the pictures that were taken, I am reminded how awesome it was to walk around in that incredible place at the heart of Russian Culture.