One of the unique attractions of the Moscow Kremlin is the world-famous Tsar Bell. This exhibit is considered a unique work of Russian art of the eighteenth century and the highest achievement of foundry in Russia. In addition, the Tsar Bell is a majestic historical monument.
Creation idea
Empress Anna Ivanovna signed a decree in 1730, in which she ordered to cast a bell weighing up to ten thousand pounds. To do this, it was necessary to take a broken copy, adding metal to it. With the release of this document, the history of the Tsar Bell began.
Who took the famous giant?
Initially, they wanted to find a skilled craftsman in Paris. However, the royal mechanic Germain, who was offered this job, refused to work. He took this request as a joke.
An outstanding master of his time, Ivan Fedorovich Motorin, contracted to transfuse Grigoriev's bell, which crashed in a fire in 1701. The case was started in 1730. For its successful implementation of the Moscow Artillerythe office allocated a master, ten students and two officers as assistants to Motorin.
Preparatory stage
Before starting work, the artillery office drew up drawings. Moreover, Motorin previously cast a small model of the future giant. She weighed twelve pounds. All drawings, estimates, as well as two developed models of the lifting mechanism were sent for approval to St. Petersburg. All preparation and approval of the created project took place within two years. In this regard, the work itself on the manufacture of the intended shape of the bell, as well as on the construction of furnaces, began only in January 1733
Making a giant
In order to get the shape of the world's largest bell according to the drawings of Russian masters, two templates were made. One of them was intended for the internal profile of the product, and the second for the external one.
The giant bell was molded on Ivanovskaya Square. For this, a ten-meter hole was dug. Its sides were reinforced with oak beams, interconnected by metal rims. Additionally, the hole was lined with bricks. For the lower base of the form, an iron grate was laid on oak piles driven into the bottom. Only after that did the process of producing the blank of the bell begin. After its manufacture, a second template was installed, which repeated the external outlines of the giant. At the end of the work, the mold was lifted by the hooks. Special devices were used for this.
At the next stage, the blank was finally finished. For languagethe bell in the vault was attached with an iron loop. The last operation of the technological process is the installation of so-called ears in special sockets on the top of the casing.
All work on the creation of the Tsar Bell was completed on November 25, 1735. A Certificate was drawn up about this event. The weight of the largest bell in the world was two hundred and one tons, nine hundred twenty-four kilograms. Its height is 6.14 m, and its diameter is 6.60 m. Unfortunately, Ivan Motorin could not complete the casting of the giant, he died. The father's work was continued by his son Mikhail, who had already taken an active part in the work.
Production details
In order for the Tsar Bell to have a good casting, Ivan Motorin took a special design of the gating system. Slags and other contaminants did not get into the mold, which was filled with liquid metal. This was made possible thanks to a special reservoir that was constantly filled to the brim. At the same time, pure metal from the bowl entered the mold, and the slag, which had a lighter weight, remained on the surface.
When casting a giant, it was necessary to create certain conditions in order for the mold to withstand the pressure of hot metal. To do this, the entire space that was between the walls of the casting pit and the casing was covered with earth.
A broken piece
Knows the history of the Tsar Bell and the unprecedented fire. After casting, this amazing work of foundry art was inscribed for over a year.
Decorative decorations were also made on it. Work alreadycame to an end when a strong fire broke out in the Kremlin. It happened in May 1737. The fire destroyed the wooden structures and the tent, which was erected over the foundry pit. The red-hot bell was poured with water. Cracks formed in the giant's body from the temperature difference, which led to the fact that a significant piece broke off from it, the weight of which was eleven and a half tons.
Climbing from the casting pit
The Tsar Bell, whose history began so unsuccessfully, could not be obtained for a long time. Until 1836, he was in the foundry pit, which was cleared, surrounded by railings and a staircase was made. On it, visitors descended and admired the great work of art.
July 23, 1836, the brilliant raising of the bell took place. It was moved on specially prepared skating rinks and placed on an octagonal stone pedestal. Soon, four brackets were installed on the giant, supporting the ball, on top of which there was a bronze cross. Where is the Tsar Bell now? On the same pedestal in the Kremlin.
Restoration work
Tsar Bell was planned to be soldered several times. However, the work was never carried out. This was hindered by the high cost of soldering. In addition, fears were expressed that even if the bell was restored, it would be impossible to achieve its normal sound. That is why, if you visit the Kremlin, the Tsar Bell will meet you in the form in which it was once removed from the casting pit. This unique monument has a huge historicalmeaning. That is why experimenting with it is simply unacceptable. The Tsar Bell for children and for the adult generation is the history of the Fatherland.
The study of the unique monument was carried out in 1979. At the same time, its restoration was carried out. The work consisted in flaw detection of the giant's body and the compilation of a special map, which recorded the size, position, and number of cracks formed.
During the restoration, the surface of the bell was cleared of numerous layers of paintwork, which distorted the appearance of the giant. In parallel, a small repair of the pedestal was carried out. A fragment of a bell was raised to the surface of the earth, which was buried forty centimeters deep into the cultural layer.
All the work was done by specialists, as well as scientists from the Military Academy named after F. E. Dzerzhinsky. At the same time, constant consultations were held with the All-Union Research Institute of Restoration. It is worth noting the fact that the work on the creation of technology and methods for the restoration of a historical monument of this type was carried out for the first time.
A unique piece of foundry art
Those who visit the Kremlin today will meet the Tsar Bell in its original form. The giant has regained its silvery-gray color, giving off a greenish patina. Specific shimmer and natural tone returned to bronze. On the cross, which crowns the head, gilding glistens. It was restored using gold leaf. Clearly possiblesee the elegant ornament and skillful images that adorn the bell. The beauty of sculptural decorations pleases the eye. The lower and upper parts of the giant's body are decorated with a frieze, the pattern of which is palm branches. Unfortunately, when filling the mold with metal, washouts occurred in some parts of the bell. This can be clearly seen in the images of some figures. Despite this, thousands of people who visit the Kremlin daily now appreciate the beauty of the historical monument.
The Tsar Bell in Moscow was created almost two and a half centuries ago. However, the popularity of the giant is increasing every year. An amazing monument of Russian art of casting successfully fits into the architectural composition of the Kremlin. The Tsar Bell, as well as the Tsar Cannon located nearby, cannot be separated from the artistic image, which has worldwide fame.
Historical facts
Master Motorin received a meager payment for casting the bell. It amounted to only a thousand rubles.
The bell has an inscription that it was cast by Ivan Motorin and his son Mikhail. The famous foundry master, in order to imprint his name, filed a petition with the Senate. It was approved by Empress Anna Ioannovna.
An offer to create a giant bell was received by the sculptor Carlo Rastrelli. However, the son of the world famous architect Francesco Rastrelli asked for a very high payment for his work. As a result, his services were refused.
Images of the Tsar BellGeneral Denikin used for the issuance of thousand-ruble White Guard bills. This money is popularly called "bells".
