№ 1360-1371. The Sixth definitive issue of postage stamps of the Russian Federation. Russian Kremlins

Astrakhan Khanate was annexed to Russia in 1556, and two years later Ivan Groznyy moved the capital of conquered khanate lower to the left bank of the Volga. Kremlin has been built on this place. Its architectural monuments which have remained till our days are unique - walls and towers are built of the Golden Horde’s stone and have three levels of defense system.

During its nearly 500-year history, Zaraysk Kremlin has played a significant role in the destiny of the Russian state, became one of the few cities allegiant to the sovereign in the Time of Troubles. Precisely from here Dmitry Pozharsky, the future liberator of Russia, started to muster the first militiamen. Now it is the only completely remained militant Kremlin in the Moscow suburbs.

It is considered that Kazan Kremlin was built in the Х century. During the existence of the Kremlin, it has undergone a lot of destructions and rebuildings. The legendary Kul Sharif Mosque situates on its territory, and also there is the "falling" Suumbike Tower which has received its name in honor of Kazan Tsarina.

Kolomna Kremlin, which was built in the XVI century under Tsar Vasily III, has been repeatedly destroyed during the incursions of the Tatars on Russia and has been erected again. Among the most ancient buildings of the Kolomna Kremlin - Resurrection Church, in which Prince Dmitry Donskoy married PrincessYevdokia Suzdalskaya in 1366.

Rostov Kremlin was built in the second half of the XVII century on the initiative of the metropolitan of Rostov and Yaroslavl Iona III (Sysoevich). In those days the tradition of building the Kremlins as the defensive strengthenings, has already passed, and the Kremlin was used as residence of the metropolitan.

Nizhny Novgorod Kremlin, as it is supposed, was erected in the beginning of ХVI century under the direction of the Italian military engineer and architect Peter Fryazin. On the territory of the Kremlin there is the Michael-Arhagnelsky Cathedral, which was built in 1631 in honor of the victory of militia in 1612. Kuzma Minin is buried there, and also the monument to Minin and Pozharsky is established there.

Novgorod Kremlin, which foundation was laid under Prince Vladimir Jaroslavich, is the most ancient one of the remained Kremlins in Russia – the first mention of it dates back to 1044. In 1045 by order of Prince Vladimir the foundation of Sofia Cathedral – the main symbol of Great Novgorod was started.

Pskov Kremlin, an outstanding monument of Russian defense architecture, was an example of the best achievements in military and civil engineering of its time. In the XVII century defensive power of the Kremlin did not yield to the best fortresses of Europe. It was the most western Russian fortress, which defended the country against aggressors.

Moscow Kremlin is one of the greatest monuments of the history of Russia. Aboriginal сenter of the national craft and culture, it attracted the best town-planners, carpenters, blacksmiths, artists and all artisan people who brought with them the experience and skills of the peoples. Moscow Kremlin has been used as a sample for the construction of many Kremlins in other cities of the Old Russian State.

The settlement on the territory of present Ryazan Kremlin existed even in the Bronze Age and Early Iron Age. And at the end of the XI century, on the northern part of the Kremlin hill, on the place convenient for the defense arose Slavic fortress, which laid the foundation of Pereyaslavl-Ryazanski city.

Tobolsk Kremlin - the only stone Kremlin in whole Siberia. It is known, that "exile" alarm bell from Uglich was hanging there for some time, on a purpose-built belltower, which townspeople rang after the murder of Tsarevich Dmitry. By order of Basil Shuisky, "ear" and "tongue" of the bell (like it was a human) were pulled out, and in 1592 the bell was exiled to Siberia.

The history of one of the most ancient fortresses on Russian land - Tula Kremlin - began in 1507, when Prince Vasili III, wishing to protect the Russian land from the Tatar-Mongol incursions, ordered to lay the foundation of oak fortress on the left bank of the river Upa. Brick walls and towers were built later in 1514-1520, as a defensive fortress on the southern borders of the country.