Designed by a team of architects under the management of Konstantin Thon, the Great Kremlin Palace, a unique architectural ensemble and a famous landmark of Moscow, was built from 1837 to 1849 during the reign of Nicholas I, who actively participated in the pursuit of the architectural style of the palace. Constructed in Byzantine-Russian architectural tradition on the site of the old 15th-18th century buildings, the huge palace with its total area of about 25,000 square metres strikes with its dimensions and structural harmony. However, long before the construction of the palace, the Russian neoclassical architect Vasily Bazhenova suggested Empress Catherine II to erect a new giant palace in the Kremlin. But the project was shelved due to various complexities and high cost, which was later brought to life by Nicholas I, the grandson of the empress.

With its length of 406 feet (24 m) long and a height of 154 feet (47 m), the Great Kremlin Palace is a two storey building, although it gives the impression of a three-storey construction from the outside. The buildings of the Palace, joined by an air bridge, form a rectangle with an inner courtyard and comprise the most valuable parts of the previous constructions, which include among others, Tsar Alexei Mikhailovich’s Terem Palace, nine old churches and the 15th century Hall of Facets. It has 700 rooms, a huge entrance hall and five majestic halls, known as Georgievsky, Vladimirsky, Aleksandrovsky, Andreyevsky, and Ekaterininsk Hall, the Orders of St George, Vladimir, Alexander, Andrew and Catherine. The gigantic palace was consecrated in 1849, in the presence of Emperor Nicholas I, when construction of the Armoury Chamber started in the western part of the Kremlin, which on completion ended the process of assembling the Grand Kremlin Palace.

To ensure the palace blended into the existing ensemble, elements with prominent Russian style were used in its exterior design. The arched windows of the first storey of the palace are separated by thin partition walls and resemble a covered gallery from the outside. The second storey with its two tiers of windows, decorated with ornamental Russian style window surrounds featuring double arches. The uppermost part of the palace is complete with an architectural platform, topped with gold balustrade railing and decorated with semicircular decorative elements, along with the historical coats of arms of the Tsars.

The entrance hall of the palace decorated with polished granite columns has an enormous grand staircase that leads to the first floor. The round walk-through hall in the centre of the palace is called Vladimirsky, dedicated to the Holy Great Prince Vladimir Order. However, built in 1487-1491, the Hall of Facets is the oldest room in the palace, the exterior of which is decorated with rustic masonry and resembles constructions of the Italian Renaissance. The hall, radiant with gold, is decorated with unique frescoes with iconographic scenes.

The Georgievsky Hall, dedicated to the order of the Saint Great Martyr George the Conqueror, is the most honourable order of the Russian Empire, introduced by Catherine II in 1769 to be awarded for service and courage in battle. It hosted the meetings of the holders of a St George Cross and the names of 545 large army units and of over 10000 family names of officers and generals were cut out on its walls. Today, Georgievsky Hall is used for state and diplomatic receptions and other official ceremonies.

Established in 1725 by Empress Catherine I in honour of the saint patron of Saint-Petersburg, the Alexandrovsky hall was named after the Order of Saint Pius Prince Alexander Nevsky, famous by his military victories over German and Swedish invaders.

The Andreevsky hall is dedicated to the Order of Apostle St. Andrew the First-called, the highest order of the Russian Empire and present Russia. Initially, it was considered to be the main imperial hall of the Moscow Kremlin, where the emperor’s throne was installed. Today, the restored throne is kept under a canopy decorated with velvet and ermine fur. Above the throne, one can see the image of the Eye of Providence, the All-Seeing Eye of God in the beams of fame and represent the Dominion of God over the governors. During the Soviet period, the place was occupied by a monument to Vladimir Lenin. In those days, Alexandrovsky hall and Andreevsky hall were combined to be used for the Communist Party Congresses and the USSR Supreme Council Sessions.

The Ekaterininsky hall, dedicated to the female order of St. Catherine, is situated remotely from the main halls of the palace and used to be a throne hall of the emperors.

The Terem Palace, the residence of the Moscow tsars in the 17th century, is also a part of the Great Kremlin Palace. Rebuilt in 1635-1636 by Tsar Alexei Mikhailovic, on the foundation base of a 15th century palace, the Terem Palace is a hidden gem of the Moscow Kremlin and is a precious monument of ancient Russian architecture. Every room of the palace has a remarkable pottery tiled stove, mural paintings representing the Saints and multi-coloured mica windows. The tsar used to meet the boyars council for discussing the affairs of the country in the Assembly Hall.

The Throne Room was formerly called simply the Chamber, which has the Tsar's armchair in the ‘red’ corner and the emblems of the provinces on the pillars and vaults. The amazing porch of the Terem Palace is an authentic monument of the 17th century and just opposite the porch, behind exquisite safety bars depicting unicorns and lions, the symbols of the tsar’s power, there are nine churches whose onion domes are visible from the street.

The current Armoury Building, erected in 1844-1851, is part of the Great Kremlin Palace and houses the Armory Museum and the Diamond Fund of Russia exhibition. While the Armory is a unique museum displaying the treasures of the rulers of Russia from the 12th century till 1917, the Diamond Fund houses unique gems, uncut diamonds, crown jewels, blocks of gold and the world’s largest sapphire, along with coronation regalia and masterpieces of Russian jewelry art of the 18-20 centuries.

The Cathedral of the Annunciation is located on the southwest side of Cathedral Square of the Moscow Kremlin, where it connects directly to the main building of the complex of the Grand Kremlin Palace. Built on the spot of an older 14th-century cathedral of the same name, it was originally meant for the personal chapel for the tsars and from the time of the coronation of Ivan the Terrible as Tsar, the members of the royal family worshiped, got married and baptized their children at the cathedral. It was closed during the Bolshevik regime and occasional religious services resumed after 1992. Now it also serves as a part of Moscow Kremlin museums.

With its cultural and historical significance, the Great Kremlin Palace, also known as the Grand Kremlin Palace, which was once an Imperial residence, now serves as the official residence of the President of Russia.