Sukharev Tower

The Sukharev Tower (Russian Сухаревская башня ) was one of the most remarkable architectural sights of Moscow before its demolition in 1934. The 66 m high tower was built in the style of Moscow baroque in the years 1692-1695, and stood at the intersection of the Garden Ring with the Sretenka street.

The tower was built on the orders of Tsar Peter I as a guard and lookout tower on Sretenka gate, however, was always elsewhere. First, it was used as barracks for the Sagittarius Regiment, whose commander Sukharev gave the name of the tower. The Moscow School of Mathematics and Navigation, and the Admiralty was later housed therein. Count Jacob Bruce taught the top floor of a be astronomical observatory, the first in Russia. Catherine the Great allowed the Moscow merchants to use the lower space for shops and stores.

A large market called Sukharevka was around the tower in the 19th century. Add Ilya Ehrenburg's novel In the Prototschni Alley this market several times plays a role. The Soviet government closed the market and used the tower as the first museum in the city of Moscow.

The bride of the bell tower of Ivan the Great, as the Sukharev Tower was called by the Muscovites, was demolished in 1934 by the Soviet city administration during the Stalinist reconstruction of the Moscow city center.

Currently, there are vague rumors of the re- erection of the tower.