Alexandrovskaya Sloboda

Alexandrovskaya Sloboda grew into a princely residence amid the forests northeast of Moscow. From 1505 it served Grand Prince Vasily III as a country seat, with churches and royal buildings enclosed in the fortified residence. Its greatest political importance came under his son Ivan IV, who withdrew here with his court and sacred objects from Moscow in December 1564.

Ivan's departure set the stage for the establishment of the #italic oprichnina#!, the separate domain and apparatus through which the tsar pursued his enemies. For years the Sloboda served as his residence and a centre of government: the boyar council and administrative offices operated there, and envoys came to the court. From here Ivan set out on his devastating campaign against Novgorod. The Vasily Gates, taken from Novgorod's Saint Sophia Cathedral, later adorned the entrance to the Sloboda's cathedral. The settlement's role as a royal seat ended in 1581, but its churches and walls retained the imprint of the years when power was exercised from this retreat. In 1778 it became the town of Alexandrov.