Tsar Cannon

Tsar Cannon

The Tsar Cannon is located outside the Kremlin in Moscow, the capital of Russia. Its Russian name means "Cannon Tsar" and it is a masterpiece of 16th-century Russian arms craftsmanship. The Tsar Cannon was commissioned in 1586 by Tsar Feodor I of Russia and forged by master foundryman Andrei Chokhov.

The Tsar Cannon is 5.34 meters long, with a bore diameter of 890 mm, an outer diameter of 1200 mm, and weighs approximately 18 metric tons—large enough for an adult to climb inside. It holds the Guinness World Record as the largest bombard ever made. The bronze cannon is adorned with various reliefs and inscriptions, including a depiction of Tsar Feodor I on horseback. Each side of the barrel has four handles used to secure ropes when moving the cannon. Moving the Tsar Cannon would have required 200 horses, giving an idea of its immense weight. Although it was built for wartime use to fire grapeshot and defend the Kremlin, it was never actually used in combat and primarily served to showcase military might and technological prowess.

The original carriage, made in the early 19th century, was destroyed in a fire in 1812. The current carriage and the cannonballs displayed nearby were completed in 1835. These cannonballs are not the intended grapeshot for this cannon but are reference pieces made to match its caliber.

Tsar Cannon

Reason to visit: The world’s largest bombard

Continent: Europe【Europe】

Country/Region: Russia[Russia]

Province/State: Moscow Autonomous City [Moscow]

City: Moscow [Moscow]