Armorial Gate

Its name references polychrome tiles of the second floor, which displayed heraldic (armorial) emblems of formerly independent Russian principalities.

The larger gate was called Kolymazhnye, either from the old Russian word for vehicles or from the Kolymazhny Chamber situated nearby.

The structure was crowned by a tiled tent, decorated with two levels of dormers and surmounted by a heraldic double-headed eagle.

Two rows of windows in the Renaissance style and a copper gilt coat of arms on an "apple" crowned the composition.

The watchmen who guarded the tsar's chambers also kept watch over the city and sounded the alarm in case of fire.

Armorial Gate, c. 1801