The Tsar's Cannon
Posted by: 
NevaP
N 55° 45.078 E 037° 37.084
37U E 413262 N 6179265
This huge piece of Medieval armoury once stood in Red Square defending the major Kremlin Gate.
Waymark Code: WM23KA
Location: Russia
Date Posted: 08/29/2007
Views: 77
The Tsar Cannon was cast in 1586 for Tsar Fyodor I. Over five meters long and weighing 39 tones, it may be the largest cannon ever cast. Although originally intended as a weapon for the Kremlin's defence and initially placed on a dais in Red Square near the Savior's tower, then the main entrance, the cannon was never fired and it soon assumed a decorative function. In 1856 it was moved into the Kremlin and placed on the east side of Cathedral Square near the massive Tsar Bell, which was never rung.
The four cannon balls included in the display are of newer origin and are actually too large for the bore of the cannon. It was probably designed to fire grape-shot, and it has another nickname :"Russia's Shotgun".
The ornamentation on the barrel of the cannon includes a relief portrait of Tsar Fyodor on horseback.
What type of artillery is this?: Cannon
Where is this artillery located?: Other
What military of the world used this device?: Imperial Russia
Date artillery was placed on display: 07/01/1856
Artillery is no longer operational: yes
Still may work: no
Are there any geocaches at this location?:
The nearest one is four miles away. But there are a lot of waymarks nearby and a lot of potential waymarks.
Date artillery was in use: Not listed
Parking location to view this Waymark: Not Listed
Cost?: Not Listed
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Visit Instructions:
Two pictures are required for this Waymark. Please take a close up picture of the artillery. Take a second with the artillery in the distance and capture as much of the surroundings as possible. Name the Waymark with first the name of the area and second what the artillery is. An example would be if it were a cannon in front of the Montgomery Armory you would name the Waymark: Montgomery Armory Cannon.