The Cultural History of Moscow

Invasions

The cultural history of Moscow shows us that invasions from people of varying cultures occurred periodically. In the years 1237 to 1238, the Mongols were able to raze Moscow to the ground. Many casualties resulted but Moscow recovered. The Crimean Tatars were also able to enter Moscow in 1571 when practically all of Moscow was razed. Napoleon invaded in 1812 but was forced to retreat because of the inhospitable Russian winter which nearly decimated his army.

The Kremlin

An examination of the cultural history of Moscow could never be complete without discussing the Kremlin.The President of Russia presently uses the Kremlin as his official residence. Sometimes people think that the nearby St. Basil’s Cathedral is the Kremlin, but they are different structures altogether. The Napoleonic invasion of Russia resulted in partial destruction of the Kremlin by his escaping military forces. One reason the Kremlin was not further damaged was that rain dampened the fuses set by the Napoleonic military.