A statue of Kuzma Minin, in Minin Square. Time for a bit of Russian history...
In 1598 the last heir of the Rurikid dynasty, which had ruled Russia for 700 years, died childless (this was the son of Ivan the Terrible, the czar who conquered Kazan and drove the Mongols out of Russia). Power passed to a regent, who soon died as well, leaving weakened Russia venerable to its powerful neighbors - Poland, Sweden, and Lithuania. A pretend prince, who was really a tool of Poland, took the throne in 1606, thus beginning what was known as the Time of Troubles, during which Russia fell under the influence of foreign nations and the internal power struggles of its aristocrats, called boyars. Finally, in 1612 two men from Nizhny Novgorod - a noble named Dmitry Pozharsky and a butcher named Kuzma Minin - rallied the people, marched on Moscow, and expelled the Poles from Russia. One year later a member of the noble Romanov family was placed on the throne as czar - the beginning of a dynasty that would last for over 300 years. Minin Square, the central square of the city, now bears the name of the local hero who saved his country.

Minin looking across his square, towards the Kremlin. Here you can see Dimitrievskaya Tower. It serves as the main entrance to the Kremlin for both pedestrians and cars, and from its initial construction in 1372 was the defensive center of the fortress. A moat used to run in front of the tower, but was filled in during the 1800s. For awhile a military school was housed here, until the tower was renovated at the turn of the century to become an exhibition hall. It now houses a small museum.

Passing through Dimitrievskaya Tower, you immediately see a memorial on your left, dedicated to the efforts of citizens of Nizhny Novgorod to produce weapons for the front during the Great Patriotic War (World War II). The memorial is entitled "Gorkovites Supporting the Army". During Soviet times Nizhny Novgorod was renamed Gorky, in honor of the revolutionary writer.

Many pieces of military hardware produced in Gorky can be seen at the memorial. This is the BA-64 (BA - broneavtomobil, or armored car).

A 45mm regimental anti-tank gun.

An anti-aircraft gun. It is not uncommon to see children getting an up-close view of the machines.

Looking down towards the lower part of the Kremlin and the Volga River. The Kremlin is situated on a hill above the river, and the walls run snake-like across the ever-changing elevations. Below is Ivanovskaya Tower, named after the nearby St. John the Baptist Church (Ivanov is the Russian version of John). This was the very first part of the Kremlin to be built, and was heavily damaged when a huge explosion ripped through the tower in 1531 after the gunpowder stored there was ignited. However, is tower is most well known as the starting place for the march lead by Dmitry Pozharsky and Kuzma Minin, which in 1612 lead to the expulsion of the Poles from Moscow.

A monument to the citizens of Nizhny Novgorod killed during World War II. Usually an eternal flame is seen burning here - but for now they've turned it off. Yes, that's right, the eternal flame is out while the monument undergoes repairs. It's rather sad.

Heading west (which is to the left of the main entrance), we come upon the headquarters for the legislative assembly of Nizhny Novgorod oblast (the Russian word for provence) on the left, and Archangel Michael Catherdral on the right.

The state flag and seal of Russia. Though most western sources portray Russia as a bear, the animal on the Russian seal is a two-headed eagle.

Archangel Michael Cathedral. A wooden cathedral was first built on this spot in 1221, when Nizhny Novgorod was first founded. A series of churches continued to be constructed here, but they were all lost, often due to fire. Finally, in 1631 the stone church seen here was built. It currently houses the tomb of Kuzma Minin.

Directly in front of the cathedral is the Noble Defense Cross, commemorating the first Slavic teachers, Saint Mefodie and Saint Cirill. The Russian alphabetis known as the Cyrillic alphabet, after the saint who first wrote it down.