Tsar Cannon In Moscow Stock Photography

Tsar Pushka literally `emperor of cannons` is a huge cannon, founded in 1586 by a Russian founding master Andrey Chokhov. The cannon weighs nearly 18 tonnes, has a length of 5.34 metres, a calibre of 890 mm, and an external diameter of 1200 mm. The cannon was intended to fire grapeshot and to defend the Kremlin in times of war. It has never been used however, and may in fact have been intended as a showpiece of military might and engineering from the beginning. It is decorated with reliefs, including one depicting Tsar Fedor Ivanovich on a horse. The original wooden carriage was made in the early 19th century, but was destroyed by fire in 1812. The new carriage and cast iron cannonballs were founded in 1835. The cannon is placed inside the Moscow Kremlin next to the Tsar Kolokol. It was last restored in 1980. The Guinness Book of Records lists it as the largest howitzer ever made. The cannonballs on display by the Tsar Pushka were never intended for use, and are in fact of a larger diameter than the cannon will accept. According to legend, the cannonballs were manufactured in St. Petersburg, one inch too big with an intended humour value in the friendly rivalry between Moscow and St. Petersburg.