Ruby Star

Borovitskaya Tower


Borovitskaya TowerThe Borovitsky Gate - Tower, at the west end of the Kremlin walls, was erectedin 1490 during the rebuilding of the Kremlin. The tent-roofed superstructurewas added in the 1670s. Like many of the towers, this tower is topped bya five-pointed ruby star, 10 ft high and weighing 1.5 tons, which is illuminatedat night. The total height of the Pinewood Tower is 54.05 m (177 ft). Thetower occupies the position of the oldest entrance to the Kremlin. Itsname is derived from the word "bor" (forest) - suggesting thatthe original settlement on the site of Moscow was established in this woodedarea (now represented only by some trees), on the Neglinnaya River nearthe Moskva River.


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