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Of course, the exhibition of old timepieces and the presentations of the marvellous "Saint Basil Red Square" watch were the true reasons of our trip to Moscow, and the horological high points. However, an absolute highlight for those who love historical monuments and architecture, like myself, was still awaiting us: the visit of the Armory Museum and the Great Kremlin Palace.

These visits took the most part of the following day. While we had been in the Armory Museum already for the opening of the exhibition, we had not have the chance to look at all the miracles shown in this museum. As already stated, the Armory museum is one of Russia’s most important collections. Its fame is based on the collections of jewellry and signs of political power including all the crowns, sceptres and coronation jewels up to Peter I. the Great.

So we had a highly fascinating guided tour through the collection, that also includes the state coaches and a sled used to travel from Saint Petersburg to Moscow during winter: twelve persons had comfortable space therein, and the cabin was heated by an oven. I don’t want to imagine the ‘comfort’ of servants and horses in these infamous Russian winters, though.

Following the museum tour, we had to wait some time for a very rare privilege: the visit of the palatial halls in the Great Kremlin Palace. These state rooms are not accessible for the public, and normally shown only during official state visits. Besides the parade of the palatial guard the day before, the permission to visit the Kremlin halls is another sign of the respect Rolf Schnyder and his company enjoy in Russia.

The Great Kremlin Palace

Waiting for the admission

Another security control, this time not only with metal detectors, but also with X-ray gates, the same system as at the airport, had to be passed before we were led into .... into .... well, I am barely able to describe the pomp and ornamental beauty, combined with sheer size and space, that literally swept us away. I more or less held my breath and completely forgot to release it again before leaving the building. These halls were simply gigantesque, yet absolutely marvellous! Instead of stuttering descriptions of mediocre quality, that could not do the architecture justice anyway, I suggest to simply look at the following pictures. Unfortunately, taking pictures was not allowed in many parts (yours truly, agent 009 with the license to use a digicam, ignored the rule, of course!), and even where it was possible, the lack of light limited my possibilities. So I have to ask you to accept the technical shortcomings of my pictures, but maybe they succeed in at least creating a faint impression of what we saw on that day.

The huge "Saint George's Hall": 61 metres long, 17.5 metres high; 20 different kinds of timber are used in the floor's artwork

Rooms in the Terem-Palace (17th century)

The large throne room

Still overwhelmed, we left the Great Palace, massively delayed, and resumed our schedule. These final stages, including a great Uzbek dinner and a fierce vodka duel over the honour of Ulysse Nardin, shall be told in the next and final part of the story.