The Tsar - Cannon

The Tsar - Cannon

The Tsar-Cannon, cast by Andrey Chohov, - the ancient, world's largest cannon. It was created in 1586 in Moscow, on the Gun court yard, during a board of Feodor Ivanovich (the son of Ivan Grozniy). The Appearance of such a unique product was a natural result of development of the oldest branch of Russian craft - foundry business which was known in Russia since X century.

The length of this huge cannon is 5 m 34. The external diameter of a trunk - 120 sm, diameter of a patten belt at a barrel - 134 sm, calibre - 890 mm. The trunk of the Tsar-Cannon cast from high-quality bronze, has got a conic form.

All surface of a trunk is decorated by cast figured friezes, ornamental belts and inscriptions. The central part of a trunk is divided by convex ornamental and flat relief friezes. There are eight cast cramps located on each side of a trunk, intended for strengthening of the ropes at cannon moving.

The cannon was produced a gun maker Andrey Chohov. There is an aperture in a trunk on a "state" part of the cannon before last, back wide belt. And further, on the trunk, it is cut down:« 2400 pood ». Such is the weight of Tsar-Cannon , that is about 39312 kg.

During the four-centenary existence the Tsar-Cannon was changing its place many times. In XVIII century it has been moved to the Moscow Kremlin and at first it was settled down in a court yard of a building of the Arsenal, and then at its main gates. Placed on a gun carriage the Tsar-Cannon was put opposite to the Arsenal. Four pig-iron decorative kernels were placed by its bottom, everyone is about 1000 kgs.

In 1960 in connection with a construction of the Kremlin palace of congresses the Tsar-Cannon was solemnly moved on the Ivanovo square to the church of Twelve apostles where it is placed today.