Tsar Cannon
Monument Massive ceremonial cannon displayed in Moscow Kremlin
A late 16th‑century cast artillery piece displayed in Moscow’s Kremlin, notable for its large bore and ornate carriage. Visitors photograph it alongside the Tsar Bell and nearby cathedral square.
The Tsar Cannon is a large ceremonial artillery piece situated inside the Moscow Kremlin, just west of Red Square. It was cast in 1586 and is notable for its extremely large bore and ornate decoration.
The monument itself is the main attraction on site - a single bronze gun barrel richly decorated with reliefs and inscriptions and mounted on a later cast-iron carriage. The bore is commonly reported as about 890 millimetres, and the piece is often cited as one of the largest-calibre cannons in the world; it was never used in warfare and functions as a showpiece.
The cannon was commissioned during the reign of Tsar Fyodor I and produced by the master founder Andrey Chokhov. Over the centuries it has remained in place as part of the Kremlin ensemble and has undergone conservation and changes to its mounting.
Located inside the Kremlin complex in central Moscow, the Tsar Cannon sits close to the Ivan the Great Bell Tower and Cathedral Square, a short walk from Red Square and the Kremlin Armoury.
- Date and maker: Cast in 1586 by the foundry master Andrey Chokhov and displayed within the Moscow Kremlin near Cathedral Square.
How to Get to Tsar Cannon #
The Tsar Cannon is on display inside the Moscow Kremlin near Cathedral Square; access is via the Kremlin ticketed entrances from Red Square or Alexander Garden. The Kremlin and Red Square are a short walk from central Moscow metro stations (the Okhotny Ryad / Ploshchad Revolyutsii / Teatralnaya area); expect about a 5-10 minute walk from those stations to the Kremlin gates.
Tips for Visiting Tsar Cannon #
- If you want an up-close look at the Tsar Cannon, buy a Kremlin complex ticket-entering the Kremlin gives the best perspective on the cannon and the neighboring monuments; if you do not enter, you can still view and photograph it from outside the Kremlin walls.
- Visit earlier in the day or late afternoon to avoid the largest tour groups and to get unobstructed photos on Cathedral Square; the cannon is a popular stop on Kremlin circuits so midday is busiest.
- Remember the Tsar Cannon is a late 16th-century ornamental casting (not used in combat) and has a large decorative cannonball beside it-take time to compare it with nearby Kremlin features to appreciate its scale and historical context.
Best Time to Visit Tsar Cannon #
Best in late spring to summer for comfortable outdoor visits and photography; winters are cold but offer a snowy, atmospheric setting.
Weather & Climate near Tsar Cannon #
Tsar Cannon'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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