Tsar cannon short description for kids. Tsar Cannon: history, creation, description, legends

Tsar Cannon in Moscow famous monument artillery and foundry, one of the main attractions of the Moscow Kremlin. The caliber of the legendary weapon is recognized as the largest in the world. Like the nearby Tsar Bell, for tourists and guests of the capital, this ancient instrument is of particular historical and tourist significance.

The weight of the Tsar Cannon is 39.31 tons, the length is 5.34 meters, the diameter of the patterned belt at the muzzle is 1.34 meters, while the outer diameter of its barrel is 1.2 meters. Caliber - 890 mm. A bronze gun was cast, a cast-iron gun carriage.

Despite the fact that this weapon has a competitor in the face of the German cannon (caliber - 800 mm, weight - 1350 tons), the Kremlin Tsar Cannon is listed in the Guinness Book of Records as the largest-caliber weapon on the planet.

Short story

Many have heard of the Tsar Cannon in childhood. In the books, this weapon was called the Giant of the Moscow Kremlin. From the moment of her birth, she never ceases to amaze with her beauty, strength and power not only children, but also adults.

The Tsar Cannon in the Kremlin was cast at the Cannon Yard by the caster Andrei Chokhov. This event took place in 1586. Initially, the barrel of the cannon was placed on a wooden peal not far from the Execution Ground. Later, log peals were replaced with reliable stone ones.

The huge weight made its transportation extremely problematic. But they managed to cope with this task with the help of 200 horses, which dragged heavy weapons along the log flooring. For ease of transportation, four special brackets are mounted on the trunk on each side to secure the rope strips.

The cannon was transferred several times to different places in the Kremlin. After the construction of the Kremlin Palace of Congresses was completed, the gun was moved to a new location - Ivanovskaya Square.

Today, the Tsar Cannon is located next to the Cathedral of the Twelve Apostles on a decorative special gun carriage made much later than the cannon itself in 1835 at the Byrd factory in St. Petersburg.

It is believed that the gun was created to defend the Kremlin, but modern researchers assure that the Tsar Cannon would not have coped with the mission assigned to it. Due to its size and design features, it is suitable only for the destruction of thick fortress walls.

According to the historian Alexei Lobin, in its design, the Tsar Cannon is not a cannon at all, but a bombard. What does the length of the barrel say - 3.4 calibers, which is the reference ratio for bombards of that time, while the barrel length of a classic gun usually exceeds 40 calibers.

Hollow cast-iron cannonballs, cast in 1835, are stacked in front of the cannon. Each projectile weighs almost two tons. True, the cannon is not able to shoot such cannonballs - due to their enormous weight, the cannon would most likely simply be torn apart. Therefore, they are purely decorative. According to the calculations of experts, the gun could fire stone cannonballs weighing no more than 1 ton or buckshot.

Has the Tsar Cannon fired at least once?

It is believed that the Tsar Cannon never fired, but was made in order to instill fear in foreigners. She was supposed to instill fear in all enemies, including the leaders of the Crimean Tatars.

In the 1980s, a group of restorers came to the conclusion that the cannon could not fire, as evidenced by the sags and bumps in the barrel, as well as the absence of traces of stripping after the cannon was cast. Also, no seed hole was made.

There is another version according to which particles of gunpowder were found in the channel of the gun, which means that the bombard was still fired at least once.

Decor

The bombard and carriage are decorated with cast patterns and ornaments. Mounts for transportation are installed on the sides of the trunk. On the right side, Prince Fyodor Ivanovich is depicted sitting on horseback. He has a crown on his head, and on top there is an inscription describing the personality of the ruler. There is an opinion that thanks to the image of Fedor Ivanovich, the legendary Tsar Cannon received such a name. Another version claims that the name of the gun is associated solely with its large size.

In order to perpetuate the name of the foundry worker, an inscription was made on the gun: “The cannon gunner Andrey Chokhov worked on the creation of the cannon.”

Copies of the Tsar Cannon

The Tsar Cannon has made many casters fall in love with it throughout the years of its existence. In 2001, Udmurtia produced exact copy tools. Its weight was 42 tons, and the weight of the core was 1.2 tons. This copy was solemnly presented to Donetsk (Ukraine).

There is also a copy of the Tsar Cannon in Perm. This weapon belongs to the combat category. He was actively tested. Therefore, more than 300 shots were fired with nuclei, as well as bombs, the flight range of which was 1.5 km. The Perm Tsar Cannon was made for Kronstadt in order to reliably protect northern capital our country.

Copies of the Tsar Cannon and monuments named after it are also in Yoshkar-Ola and Izhevsk.

Opening hours and ticket prices in 2019

Tourists can come and look at the artillery monument on all days of the week except Thursday. From May 15 to September 30, the attraction accepts tourists from 9:30 am to 6 pm. From October 1 to May 14, Tsar Cannon receives guests from 10 am to 5 pm.

To get to the territory of the Kremlin, you need to buy a single ticket to visit architectural ensemble Cathedral Square. It will allow not only to see the Tsar Cannon, but also to watch the Ceremonial Mounted and Foot Guards of the Presidential Regiment. The ceremony takes place at noon on Saturdays.

The ticket costs 500 rubles. Tickets for pensioners and full-time students are sold at a discount - for 250 rubles.

How to get to Tsar Cannon in Moscow

The best and fastest way to go Metro. The Tsar Cannon is located near the station. "Alexandrovsky Garden", "Library. Lenin", "Borovitskaya". To get off the subway at right place, you need to find the exit to the Alexander Garden on the sign. If you did everything right, a long pedestrian crossing will await you, at the end of which there will be cash desks for paying for a visit to the Kremlin. Ticket offices are located near the Kutafya Tower within the Alexander Garden.

After that, through the Trinity Tower, you should enter the Kremlin itself. Then you need to go along the Palace of Congresses and reach the legendary Tsar Cannon.

Can be reached and by bus. The nearest stops at the entrance to the Kremlin through the Kutafya tower are st. m. Library them. Lenin. Suitable routes are M1, M2, M3, M6, H1, H2, K, 144.

For those who don't like public transport, there is taxi call apps and: Uber, Yandex.Taxi, Gett and carsharing: Delimobil, Belkacar, Lifcar.

Panorama of Ivanovskaya Square near the Tsar Cannon

Video "Tsar Cannon in 1908"

The article briefly outlines for children the history of the Tsar Cannon - one of the symbols of the greatness and power of Russia. The Tsar Cannon embodies the skill of Russian gunners. Numerous tourists visiting Moscow consider it their duty to see this miracle.

1. Creation of the Tsar Cannon
2. History of the Tsar Cannon
3. The meaning of the tsar cannon
4. Video

Creation of the Tsar Cannon

• At the end of the 16th century, Russia was at war with the Crimean Khanate. Muscovites were in a state of fear of a possible attack by the Crimean Khan. In 1571, Devlet Giray had already made a trip to Moscow and almost completely burned it down.
• To protect the capital, the king decided to create a weapon that would induce panic fear on the enemy. As a result, in 1586 Andreev Chokhov cast the Tsar Cannon. The size of the gun exceeded all the weapons that existed at that time. The barrel of the gun was cast in bronze, and it was installed on a wooden deck. Her trunk was decorated with various relief images. The main decoration was the image of Tsar Fyodor Ivanovich on horseback with a scepter in his hand. Some historians believe that the image of the king served as the basis for calling the cannon royal. Among other decorations, one can single out the image of the king of animals - a lion fighting a snake.
• The weight of the formidable weapon is about 40 tons, the barrel length is about 5 meters, the caliber is 890 cm. It took 200 horses to deliver the cannon to its place. To move it, eight brackets located along the trunk were used, to which ropes were attached.
  The cannon was originally located near the Execution Ground, from where, if necessary, it could fire at the advancing enemy.

History of the Tsar Cannon

• The gun was never used for its intended purpose. There is no evidence that she fired. By putting the cannon on public display, the tsar wanted to impress foreign diplomats. The point was that if in Russia they were able to cast such a whopper, then what can we say about the rest of the weapons.
• The Tsar Cannon was transported several times. Under Peter I, it was moved to the territory of the Arsenal created by the king. During the war of 1812, when Moscow was burned down, the wooden base burned down. The government thought about how to install the tsar cannon on a more solid foundation.
• In 1835, a special cast-iron base (carriage) was made for it. Cast-iron cannon balls appeared next to the cannon, hollow inside, weighing about two tons. In this form, the weapon has survived to this day.
  Last time the tsar cannon moved to Soviet time when the construction of the Kremlin Palace of Congresses began. This time the cannon was installed on Ivanovskaya Square, where it is now located.

The meaning of the tsar cannon

• For a long time it was believed that the Tsar Cannon did not fire a single shot. Due to its size and firepower, it was supposed to participate in the siege of fortresses, but never left the territory of Moscow. In addition, a charge with a core weighing about two tons was supposed to break the gun when fired. Cast iron shots were cast only in the 19th century, when the cannon was no longer considered a real weapon.
• In 1980, the restoration of the Tsar Cannon took place, and a special commission examined it. The conclusion of the commission resolved all issues. It was found that in terms of the ratio of barrel length to caliber (4 to one), the gun was a mortar-type weapon for mounted firing. The charge consisted of buckshot - a large number of relatively small stone cores. The base of the trunk was dug into the ground. The barrel was installed almost vertically (with a slight slope) and the eye was fired. It took a whole day to charge such a gun, so it could not be used effectively.
  This conclusion is confirmed by the fact that in the sources the Tsar Cannon was sometimes called the "Russian Shotgun". Shot meant buckshot.
• Another important finding was that gunpowder particles were found in the barrel. This meant that the cannon had been fired at least once. Most likely, it was an experienced sighting shot. This is also confirmed by the brand of the master found inside the barrel. According to the rules of that time, the stigma was put only with a successful test shooting.
• Thus, the gun was probably tested, approved and installed for protection. But, since shooting from it took long time and a large number of forces, the gun was never used. Taking her to the war was even more unprofitable.
• During the Great patriotic war When the Germans were on the outskirts of Moscow, a very difficult situation developed. It is interesting that at that time there were projects to use the Tsar Cannon as a defense against the Nazis.
• The Tsar Cannon is one of the greatest monuments of the Moscow Kremlin. Although it has never been used in real war, but the fact that it was cast by a Russian cannon maker and, in principle, was an active, and not a decorative weapon, gives the right to be proud of the country. The Tsar Cannon remains a formidable symbol Russian weapons warning that the state will be able to stand up for itself.

As soon as they call the Tsar Cannon: the first among guns in caliber, a masterpiece of foundry art, pride artillery collection, a symbol of Russian power. Even one of these epithets is enough to attract the attention of tourists to it. The caliber of the miracle gun is 890 millimeters, and this figure is really the largest of all known world analogues.

The Tsar Cannon - both as a tool, and as an open-air museum exhibit, and as business card Belokamennaya among other historical monuments is very original. On the one hand, it is an example of the largest medieval tool, and on the other, clearest example gigantism of the 19th century. The origin of the name of the original attraction, which scientists have not yet figured out, is also intriguing. Some suggest that it is due to the fact that one of the Russian autocrats is depicted on the cannon. Others believe that the name is due to the exceptionally impressive size of this weapon.

Be that as it may, there are few foreign tourists who, having arrived in Moscow, would not want to look at this miracle of props. In addition to the fact that the Tsar Cannon is the largest-caliber gun in the world, it is 5.34 meters long and weighs about 40 tons. These indicators were enough to include the majestic Moscow beauty in the Guinness Book of Records. And after that, how can you pass by such a unique attraction, not touch it with your own hands and not take a picture against its background?

History of the Tsar Cannon

In 1586, alarming news spread throughout Moscow that the Crimean Khan Islyam II Gerai was moving into the city with his horde, so it was necessary to create a weapon for the defense of the Kremlin, and this task was entrusted to the Russian master Andrei Chokhov. In the same year, a huge cannon was cast in the cannon yard. It was installed right on Red Square, near the so-called Execution Ground. As a base, a log peal (flooring) was used. Before that, 200 horses had to be used, which dragged the gun along the logs, 4 brackets were provided on each side for attaching ropes. After some time, the log flooring was replaced with stone.

The Polish hussar Samuil Matskevich recalled on this occasion that “in the Russian capital there is a huge gun so big” that the soldiers of the Commonwealth during the rain can hide “inside it”.

Meanwhile, the Crimean Khan did not reach Moscow, so no one had a chance to see how the unique gun fired. In the 18th century, the cannon was moved to the Moscow Kremlin, and since then it has been located there, in the very heart of the capital. First, the gun was placed in the courtyard of the Arsenal, built by Peter I as a Zeikhgauz - a repository for old and captured weapons. Subsequently, the Tsar Cannon "guarded" the main gates of the Arsenal.

In 1835, along with other century-old tools, it was placed along the Armory. It was erected on a new cast-iron carriage, made according to the sketches of Academician A.P. Bryullov. In the 60s of the last century, the Tsar Cannon celebrated another "housewarming": it was placed in the place where it is still located.

Despite the surviving evidence that the sovereign Fedor I Ioannovich gave the order to make such a large weapon to meet the troops of the Crimean Khan, many researchers believe that in fact the Tsar Cannon was only supposed to make a "frightening" impression on foreigners with its impressive appearance. Writer Albert Valentinov, for example, claimed that the master himself, Andrei Chokhov, initially knew that his huge clumsy offspring would not shoot. Even assuming, the writer reasoned further, that great amount gunpowder, which is necessary to push out a two-ton cannonball, will not blow the barrel to smithereens, it is simply impossible to imagine the Tsar Cannon in battle. After all, because of this heavy weight dragging from one position to another would be an almost insoluble problem. Valentinov also claimed that the caster set himself, first of all, the goal of showing the capabilities of the Russian arms industry, and the gun itself was to become a symbol of Russia's power in the face of possible enemies. Chokhov's logic, in his opinion, was simple and should have convinced all foreigners: if Russian craftsmen could create such a large cannon, they could do it even more with smaller weapons.

The opinion of the writer echoes the assessments of many highly specialized gunsmiths. So, one of them, Alexander Shirokorad, in his work “Miracle Weapon Russian Empire” claims that at a cost of cost, instead of this gun, two dozen small-sized shotguns could be made, which would take only 1-2 minutes to load. While it would take a whole day to load our mighty beauty. Shirokorad, in this regard, asks a rhetorical question, a quote: “What place did our military think, who wrote the Tsar Cannon into shotguns? ..”

It would seem that the assessments of specialists, supported by simple logic and iron arguments, should have put an end to the discussion about whether the mission of this weapon was military or, conversely, only propaganda? However, subsequent studies did not confirm the version that the Tsar Cannon was cast only to frighten foreigners with its awesome appearance. As it turned out, it really belongs to the bombard type - large-caliber siege weapons with a slight extension of the barrel, designed to fire 800-kilogram stone cannonballs.

When the Germans advanced near Moscow in 1941, they seriously planned to use the Tsar Cannon to protect the capital from the enemy.

In 1980, the gun was sent for repairs to Serpukhov. At the same time, specialists from the Dzerzhinsky Artillery Academy examined it. They confirmed that the structure of the trunk clearly indicates that it is classic bombarda, designed for firing with stone cores, that is, "shot". They classified it as a mounted fire weapon, which did not need to be transported from place to place - such weapons were simply dug into the ground.

Other researchers have no doubt that the Tsar Cannon was fired at least once, but still fired. Others object: tides of bronze remained in the barrel chamber, which should not have been there after firing. The latter reinforce their position by the fact that the gun does not have an ignition hole, and this circumstance makes firing from it a priori impossible.

What does the Tsar Cannon look like?

Regardless of whether the Tsar Cannon could have been used to defend the Kremlin or whether it had a completely “decorative” purpose, it had and still has a ceremonial and majestic appearance. Cast in bronze, the beautiful cannon solemnly, even somewhat proudly, rises on a cast-iron carriage, which is almost two centuries old. Next to it are cannonballs cast back in 1834 from the same material, each of which weighs 1.97 tons. Of course, the gun cannot shoot such nuclei.

Once on the right side of the Tsar Cannon, you will see the image of the sovereign-autocrat Fyodor I Ioannovich, also known by the name of Theodore the Blessed, sitting on a horse. He has a crown on his head and a scepter in his hands. Those who are not very familiar with history will be able to read next to who exactly is depicted here.

It is believed, and we said about this at the very beginning, that the gun got its name - the Tsar Cannon - thanks to this image. After all, Fedor Ivanovich was not only the Grand Duke of Moscow, but also the king of all Russia. However, on this score, as well as on other points related to the history of the attraction, there is an alternative opinion: the gun got its name due to its dimensions, which really make it the “king” among all ordinary guns.

Now he has moved to the opposite side of the trunk, which faces another famous landmark - the Tsar Bell. On it we can see the inscription that the cannon was cast in "the most famous royal city of Moscow in the summer of 7094 in the third year of his state", and that the cannon was cast by "cannon maker Ondrey Chokhov". But why is such a year indicated, which evokes associations with the Byzantine chronology, which, in turn, goes back to the Old Testament? The fact is that in the 16th century the chronology in Russia, as in Byzantium, was conducted from the "creation of the world." Counting the years from the Nativity of Christ, as we are used to today, began in Russia at the end of the 17th century, at the direction of Peter the Great.

And, of course, we will not ignore the barrel of the gun, decorated with beautiful ornaments. About the gun carriage, which was cast according to the drawings of Peter Jan de Wiet, let's say separately. The casters covered this 15-ton structure with a very original weave of plants, among which there is an image of a lion fighting a snake, which has a symbolic meaning. According to the general opinion, the king of beasts was placed here not by chance, but in order to emphasize the special status of the Tsar Cannon. The "plant" theme is continued on the spokes of large wheels, which are made in the form of intertwining leaves.

A legend has survived to this day, according to which the Tsar Cannon still fired. And this happened only once, under False Dmitry I. When this self-proclaimed ruler was exposed, he tried to hastily leave the capital. On the way he was overtaken by an armed detachment. The soldiers brutally killed the impostor, but after the body was buried, the next day he was ... found near the almshouse. There was no limit to the surprise of the Muscovites, but the corpse should not be left unburied. For the second time, it was buried in another place, to an even greater depth. But when the body of False Dmitry appeared again, people were seriously worried. There was a rumor that even the earth would not accept an impostor. And it was decided to burn the body, after which gunpowder was mixed into the ashes and fired from the Tsar Cannon in the direction of the Commonwealth, from where, in fact, False Dmitry came. Of course, this is only a legend, but who knows - suddenly something like this happened? After all, it is not in vain that people say that there is no smoke without fire.

And further interesting fact. It turns out that in the place where the Tsar Cannon majestically "poses" in front of visitors, there used to be an ordinary tavern, in which the most diverse people liked to pass a glass or two.

Tsar cannon and its copies

One of the most famous copies of the legendary weapon is located in Donetsk. For the capital of Donbass, it was cast specially by order of the Moscow government at the Izhstal OJSC enterprise (Udmurtia). In terms of mass, the “clone” even surpasses the original, it weighs 42 tons, of which a total of 3 tons falls on both wheels. The weight of the core is 1.2 tons, and the diameter of the trunk is 89 cm.

The Donetsk Tsar Cannon, cast iron, unlike the Moscow one, was installed in front of the city hall in May 2001. In order to bring the appearance closer to the original, the barrel was covered with a special paint that imitates medieval bronze. The production of the duplicate took almost three months, being divided into two stages. First, a casting mold was made, and then it was filled with cast iron. All artistic elements, and there are 24 of them (the head of a lion, patterns on the trunk, the image of Tsar Fedor and many others) were made by Donetsk cabinetmakers Vitaly Antonenko and Mikhail Berezovsky.

Another well-known copy of the Tsar Cannon is located in the capital of the Republic of Mari El, Yoshkar-Ola. It is installed at the entrance to the National Art Gallery, which is on Obolensky-Nogotkov Square. The Mari copy was specially cast at the shipbuilding and ship repair plant named after S. N. Butyakov.

No less famous is the Perm model of the Tsar Cannon. She is the youngest of all, she was made in the Motovilikha iron-cannon factory back in 1868, and in full size. Unlike " older sister"In Moscow, the Perm 20-inch model has successfully passed, as they say, a battle test. During testing, 314 shots were fired from it, and not only with ordinary nuclei, but also with bombs of various systems.

During the World Exhibition of 1873 in Vienna, the Perm cannon was installed in front of the Russian pavilion. After the exhibition, she was to be transported to Kronstadt, and a special carriage was even made for her. It was planned that the gun would serve for the defense of St. Petersburg from the sea. However, this giant was returned back to Perm. The fact is that by that time it was technically outdated. It was replaced by lighter guns made of high-strength cannon steel, the production technology of which was developed by the Zlatoust engineer-inventor Pavel Matveyevich Obukhov, who opened a plant in the city on the Neva. The Permian Tsar Cannon, like the Moscow one, was preserved as a monument.

How to get there

The Tsar Cannon is one of the most famous sights of Moscow, located in the heart of the city, so it is very easy to find it.

Using the metro, you get to the Alexandrovsky Sad station and go directly to this park, located on the northwestern side of the Kremlin walls. Here, at the subway station, there are ticket offices to the Kremlin. Having bought a ticket, go up to the Kutafya tower and, after crossing the bridge and passing the Trinity Tower, you will find yourself directly on the territory of the Kremlin.

Then go in the direction of Senate Square and turn right, after which you reach the Ivan the Great Bell Tower, next to which there is a unique, silent in its grandeur ancient weapon - Her Majesty the Tsar Cannon.

I think that each of us has heard about the Tsar Cannon, because this is the most famous and amazing artillery gun in the world!

The Tsar Cannon was cast during the reign of Tsar Fyodor Ivanovich - in 1586. It happened at the Cannon Yard, and it was cast by the best Russian foundry master Andrey Chokhov. From under his hands, a real miracle of artillery appeared, 5.34 meters long and 890 millimeters in caliber. Just imagine, the outer diameter of the Tsar Cannon barrel is 1.2 meters, the diameter of the patterned belt at the muzzle is 1.34 meters, and this giant gun weighs 39.31 tons! The cannon is literally dotted with reliefs, and on the right side of the muzzle, Tsar Fyodor Ivanovich himself is depicted on horseback.

On each side of the barrel there are 4 brackets for attaching ropes, and above the front right bracket, right above the image of the king, there is an inscription "By the grace of God, the tsar and Grand Duke Fedor Ivanovich, sovereign and autocrat of all great Russia"

There are two more inscriptions on the top of the trunk: on the right - "By the command of the faithful and Christ-loving Tsar and Grand Duke Fyodor Ivanovich, Sovereign Autocrat of All Great Russia under his pious and Christ-loving Empress Grand Duchess Irina", and on the left - "This cannon was merged in the most famous city of Moscow in the summer of 7094, in the third summer of his state. The cannon was made by the cannon man Ondrey Chokhov"

There are many versions of the appearance of such a majestic name, some, for example, believe that it was named after the king depicted on it, while others are sure that the cannon received such a name for its size (like the Tsar Bell), and at the very beginning the cannon generally bore the name "Russian Shotgun", as it was designed to fire buckshot

In 1834, to demonstrate the true caliber of guns in St. Petersburg, special decorative cannonballs were made, decorated with ornaments. Such cannonballs weigh almost two tons each, but the gun cannot fire them.

The Tsar Cannon was intended to become the main defensive weapon of the Kremlin, in connection with which it was installed on a special log flooring not far from the Execution Ground, but it was never destined to take part in a real battle ...

The cannon was moved to the Kremlin in the 18th century. Initially, she stood in the courtyard of the Arsenal, and then was transferred to its gates. In the 1960s, when the Kremlin Palace of Congresses was built, the gun was placed on Ivanovskaya Square, at the foot of the Cathedral of the Twelve Apostles

The Tsar Cannon is the largest howitzer in the world in terms of caliber, as evidenced by the corresponding entry in the Guinness Book of Records. The largest artillery piece from ever created is the German "Dora" with a caliber of 800 mm and a weight in combat position of 1350 tons

The Tsar Cannon was carefully examined in 1980 for the purpose of repair. During this examination, it turned out that the gun was designed to fire stone balls weighing about 800 kilograms and that it was fired at least once

In the spring of 2001, by order of the Moscow government, a copy of the Tsar Cannon weighing 42 tons was made.

In May 2001, the Moscow government donated this copy to Donetsk - since then, the "ghost" of the legendary weapon has flaunted in front of the local city hall

This powerful gun, located on Ivanovskaya Square, is a monument to Russian artillery. The largest caliber in the world, it has become a monument of foundry.

From the history of the Tsar Cannon in Moscow

The Tsar Cannon in Moscow was cast at the Cannon Yard in 1586 during the reign of Tsar Fyodor Ivanovich by the Russian master Andrei Chokhov. A weapon was created for the defense of the Kremlin and therefore was installed on a log flooring (peal) on Red Square near the Execution Ground. They brought her here on 200 horses, dragging the gun along the logs. To move it on the trunk on each side, there are four brackets for attaching ropes. Later, the wooden peals on which the gun stood were replaced with stone ones. As the Pole Samuil Matskevich wrote, “In the Russian capital lies a huge weapon. So big that Polish soldiers hide inside it from the rain ... "Later, the gun was in different places Kremlin. And when the Kremlin Palace of Congresses was built, it was transferred to Ivanovskaya Square to the Cathedral of the Twelve Apostles. Although it is believed that this formidable weapon was intended for the defense of the Kremlin, many researchers believe that it would hardly have coped with this. Such tools are used only to destroy walls.

Description Tsar Cannon in Moscow

Now the powerful gun is on a decorative cast-iron carriage, and nearby are hollow decorative cast-iron cannonballs weighing 1.97 tons, cast in 1835 (the gun cannot fire such cannonballs). A bronze gun was cast, a cast-iron gun carriage. At the vent on the right side, Fyodor Ivanovich is depicted riding a horse in a crown and with a scepter in his hand. Above the image is the inscription: “By the grace of God, the King, Grand Duke Fedor Ivanovich, Sovereign Autocrat of All Great Russia. According to one version, thanks to the image of Fedor Ivanovich, the Tsar Cannon got its name. According to another version, it is called so because of large sizes. Also, the gun was called the "Russian Shotgun", since it was designed to fire "shot" (buckshot).

The length of the gun is 5.34 m, the outer diameter of the barrel is 120 cm. The caliber is 890 mm. Weight - 39.31 tons. On the left side there is an inscription: "The cannon was made by the cannon man Ondrey Chokhov." Some experts believe that the great weapon never fired, but was made in order to frighten foreigners, including the ambassadors of the Crimean Tatars. Survey guns in 1980 at the Artillery Academy. Dzerzhinsky showed that the Tsar Cannon is a bombard and is designed to fire stone cannonballs. The weight of the stone core was about 819 kg, and the iron core of this caliber weighs 1970 kg. An examination of the gun channel showed the presence of gunpowder particles. This means that the famous gun fired at least once.

Copies of the Tsar Cannon

In the spring of 2001, by order of the Moscow government, a copy of the famous iron gun was made in Udmurtia. Its weight was 42 tons, the weight of the core - 1.2 tons. The diameter of the trunk - 890 mm. This copy was donated to the Ukrainian city of Donetsk.

In 2007, a copy of the gun for Yoshkar-Ola was cast at the Butyakov Shipyard. It is located next to the Art Gallery.

The Perm Tsar Cannon is exhibited at the Motovilikhinskiye Zavody open-air museum of military equipment. It is the largest cast iron cannon in the world. The gun was made in 1868 by order of the Naval Ministry and is combat. During its tests, 314 shots were fired with cannonballs and bombs with a range of up to 1.2 km. The gun was intended for Kronstadt to defend Petersburg from the sea.

Many have heard about the famous giant weapon in the Moscow Kremlin in childhood, but its greatness when considered “in life” is impressive. And although the largest in size and weight is the German Dora howitzer with a caliber of 800 mm and a weight of 1350 tons, the Tsar Cannon in Moscow is listed in the Guinness Book of Records as the largest-caliber gun.