Putin Proposes Increased Accessibility to Kremlin

Russian president Vladimir Putin has announced plans to increase public access to the Kremlin, the Art Newspaper has reported.

The announcement was made on July 31st during a tour of the Unesco World Heritage site with the Mayor of Moscow, Sergei Sobyanin. Putin acknowledged that increasing access to the iconic structure dating back to the 14th century would be a logical step “given that there is a large flow of tourists here.” Several days later, a side gate to Spasskaya Tower was opened, although the main gate remained closed.

Putin went on to propose recreating the Chudov Monastery and the Ascension Convent dating to the 14th century as “cultural heritage monuments.” The religious buildings were demolished by the Bolsheviks in 1929 to make room for administrative buildings around the Kremlin. Before construction work can begin, officials must wait for approval from architects, the public and Unesco.