How a royal arsenal transformed into one of Russia's most prestigious treasure houses

Art · Published 30 September 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: The Kremlin Armoury began in 1508 as a functional royal arsenal, tasked with crafting and storing weapons for the tsars. Over centuries, it evolved from a workshop for elite gunsmiths and jewelers into a world-class museum, eventually housing everything from imperial carriages to the legendary Fabergé Easter eggs.

Established in 1508, the Armoury originally served as the primary hub for the Russian court's material needs. It was a hive of activity where master craftsmen, such as the gunsmiths known as the Vyatkin brothers, jeweler Gavrila Ovdokimov, and painter Simon Ushakov, produced exquisite goods. By the mid-17th century, the institution expanded its scope to include iconography and pictorial studios, offering formal instruction in painting and various handicrafts. This period of growth culminated in 1700 when the Armoury absorbed the vast wealth of the tsars' Golden and Silver chambers.

The institution underwent a significant shift in 1711 when Peter the Great relocated most of its master artisans to his new capital, St Petersburg. Despite this exodus, the Armoury consolidated its status by merging with other royal repositories, including the Fiscal Yard, the Stables Treasury, and the Master Chamber. This reorganization led to its renaming as the Arms and Master Chamber. In 1806, Alexander I of Russia designated it as Moscow's first public museum, though visitors had to wait until 1813 to view the collection.

The 20th century brought further transformation. Following the Russian Revolution, Vladimir Lenin ordered the transfer of treasures from ransacked imperial palaces into the Armoury's care. Today, the museum serves as a repository for immense historical wealth, including ten of the 44 surviving Fabergé imperial Easter eggs. It also shares its space with the Russian Diamond Fund, cementing its role as a vital guardian of Russia's cultural and material legacy.

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