Patriarchal Palace

About museum

In the 14th century the Grand Prince of Moscow, Ivan Kalita, granted Metropolitan Peter a site north of the Assumption Cathedral for the construction of a compound. In 1450 Metropolitan Iona built on this site the stone Church of the Deposition of the Robe and the first stone chamber. In 1473 the compound burned down, so Metropolitan Gerontius had to rebuild it. In 1484–1485 Pskov craftsmen erected a new Church of the Deposition. All subsequent patriarchs and metropolitans developed the compound and constructed wooden and stone buildings. In 1626 the patriarchal compound burned. Patriarch Filaret restored the Cross and Refectory Chambers and had wooden cells and churches built. In 1643 Patriarch Joseph began a new stage of construction. Under a single roof the Cross, Golden, Cell and Treasury Chambers were erected. A phase of construction under Patriarch Nikon began. In 1655 new chambers and a church were built. The first floor of the palace was used for household purposes; the second housed the ceremonial halls and the house church; the third contained the patriarch's private quarters.