Nizhny Novgorod Kremlin

Nizhny Novgorod, Russia, Russia

---

Nizhny Novgorod Kremlin is a majestic 16th-century fortress crowning a steep hill at the confluence of the Oka and Volga rivers in Nizhny Novgorod, Russia, constructed between 1508 and 1515 by Italian architect Pietro Francesco under Ivan III to replace a wooden fort destroyed by fire in 1513, serving as a key defense against Kazan Khanate raids. Its distinctive red-brick walls span 2 km with an 82-meter elevation drop, featuring 13 towers (12 surviving) like the tall Ivanovskaya Tower and Koromyslova Tower, artillery casemates, and strategic overlooks designed for artillery defense on uneven terrain. Never breached by enemies, it housed cathedrals such as the 17th-century Michael the Archangel Cathedral (tomb of Kuzma Minin), later museums, the governor's palace, and arsenal, now blending historical monuments with panoramic views as a UNESCO-recognized cultural hub.