This is the oldest museum in Russia since the collection was started in the 14th century, long before the Armory Palace itself was established. The Treasure House, the first depository for valuables, was built in the Kremlin in 1485. Today this is the finest collection of Russian and foreign decorative and applied art from the 4th to early 20th centuries. One of the most valuable pieces is the famous Monomachus cap, the crown of Russian tsars. According to legend the Monomachus cap was sent to the Russian grand prince by Byzantine Emperor Constantine Monomachus. Since 1547 it has been used to crown  the Russian tsars.

The Diamond Fund Exhibition is a part of the Armory and displays the State Treasury diamond collection. The exhibits include the great Imperial Crown made for the coronation of Empress Catherine II, the world’s largest faceted sapphire (258.8 carats) from Ski Lanka, the legendary giant diamonds known as Orlov (189.6 carats) and Shah (88.7 carats)

Open: daily except Thursdays, tours at 10am, 12pm, 2:30pm and 4:30pm
Tickets: Available at the kiosks in the Alexandrovsky Gardens by the Kutafya Tower (same as for the Kremlin visits). Separate tickets must be purchased for the State Armory tours.