Spasskaya Tower
Church Iconic Kremlin gate tower with historic clock
A Kremlin tower facing Red Square, Spasskaya Tower contains the Kremlin’s main clock and ceremonial gate; visitors photograph it while visiting the Kremlin, Lenin’s Mausoleum and adjoining museums during guided tours and public ceremonies.
The Spasskaya Tower is one of the principal towers of the Moscow Kremlin, facing Red Square and notable for its clock and ceremonial gate. It was constructed as part of the Kremlin’s fortifications and is one of Moscow’s most recognisable symbols.
The tower was built in 1491 by the Italian architect Pietro Antonio Solari as part of the late 15th-century rebuilding of the Kremlin walls. Over the centuries it acquired the Kremlin clock and became associated with official ceremonial occasions and state processions.
The tower houses the Kremlin chimes that mark hours and special occasions and is topped by a star in the modern era; historically the gate at its base served as a principal ceremonial entrance to the Kremlin. Restoration and conservation work have preserved its distinctive brickwork and clock mechanism.
Located on the eastern wall of the Kremlin, the Spasskaya Tower opens onto Red Square in central Moscow; it sits adjacent to other Kremlin towers and the complex of state buildings that form the historic and administrative heart of the city.
- Function and photo views: features the Kremlin's main clock, known as the chimes, and forms the ceremonial entrance to Red Square; it is often photographed with the Kremlin walls and St. Basil's visible nearby.
How to Get to Spasskaya Tower #
Spasskaya Tower sits on Red Square at the Kremlin wall in central Moscow. Take the Moscow Metro to Okhotny Ryad, Ploshchad Revolyutsii or Biblioteka Imeni Lenina and walk 5-10 minutes to Red Square and the tower. The Kremlin/Red Square area is also served by nearby metro station Aleksandrovsky Sad for access to the Alexander Garden and Kremlin entrances.
Tips for Visiting Spasskaya Tower #
- Visit Red Square early in the morning to photograph Spasskaya Tower and the Kremlin wall before tour buses and crowds arrive; view the tower's clock (the Kremlin chimes) from the square frontage.
- Be aware that access to areas around the tower and through Kremlin gates can be closed for official events or rehearsals - check local notices and expect security checks near the square.
- Combine your stop with nearby attractions (GUM, St. Basil's) but allow extra time for moving through security and controlled pedestrian flows when major events or military parades are scheduled.
Best Time to Visit Spasskaya Tower #
Best late spring through early autumn for milder weather and full access; winter is cold and occasionally restricts access for major events.
Weather & Climate near Spasskaya Tower #
Spasskaya Tower's climate is classified as Warm-Summer Continental - Warm-Summer Continental climate with mild summers (peaking in July) and freezing winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from -10°C to 23°C. Moderate rainfall (721 mm/year).
January
January is the coldest month with highs of -5°C and lows of -10°C. Moderate rainfall (46 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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February
February is freezing with highs of -4°C and lows of -10°C. Moderate rainfall (36 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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March
March is freezing with highs of 2°C and lows of -5°C. Moderate rainfall (36 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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April
April is cold with highs of 11°C and lows of 2°C. Moderate rainfall (45 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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May
May is cool with highs of 18°C and lows of 8°C. Moderate rainfall (52 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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June
June is cool with highs of 22°C and lows of 12°C. Regular rainfall (86 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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July
July is the warmest month with highs of 23°C and lows of 14°C. The wettest month with 93 mm of rain and partly cloudy skies.
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August
August is cool with highs of 21°C and lows of 12°C. Moderate rainfall (79 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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September
September is cool with highs of 15°C and lows of 7°C. Moderate rainfall (69 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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October
October is cold with highs of 8°C and lows of 2°C. Moderate rainfall (70 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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November
November is freezing with highs of 0°C and lows of -4°C. Moderate rainfall (57 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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December
December is freezing with highs of -3°C and lows of -8°C. Moderate rainfall (52 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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