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RT.com / RT projects / Russiapedia / Galleries / Historical festival and battle reconstruction in Kolomenskoye

Streltsy troops started being formed in the 1540s during the reign of Tsar Ivan IV (the Terrible)

Published: 17 November 2010

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Kolomenskoye’s Resurrection Church was built in the mid-16th Century and is the first steepled church of stone in Russia

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An Orthodox Christian service is being held ahead of the “military” activities

Members of the 1612 battle reconstruction are dressed as “streltsy” (Russian riflemen in 16-17th Centuries)

In compliance with tradition, everyone’s hats are off during the service

As the festival has not started yet, “artillerists” generously let spectators to have photos with them

Arquebuses, battleaxes, sabres and sashes with gunpowder charges and bullet poaches comprised the streltsy military uniform

Different regiments had their own color of their military dresses – the top coat, hat with the fur band and boots

At this particular event the “military dress color” rule is not strictly adhered to

Good to have your hat back on, on a cold November day

Kolomenskoye’s Resurrection Church was built in the mid-16th Century and is the first steepled church of stone in Russia

Streltsy troops started being formed in the 1540s during the reign of Tsar Ivan IV (the Terrible)

Ivan IV’s son, Fyodor I, was the last in the dynasty, his death in 1598 leaving the country in a deep political crisis

Seven noblemen usurped power in 1610 and intended to make Polish prince Vladislav the new Russian tsar

This caused outrage among the people, and Russia’s citizens got together a civilian militia to drive out the Poles

The battle took place on November 1, 1612

The civilian Russian troop was headed by Prince Dmitry Pozharsky and tradesman Kuzma Minin

On November 4, the Poles signed a surrender document

Dmitry Pozharsky and Kuzma Minin remain among the most-revered national heroes and a monument to them decorates the Red Square in Moscow

Pozharsky was also the man who initiated the election of the new tsar. It was then that the Romanov dynasty came to power

Streltsy were initially armed with matchlock arquebuses, which were later replaced with flintlock ones

It might be a historical reconstruction – but it’s good to have your loved one back safe and sound regardless

After the action is over, the main thing is to get warm again

Streltsy’s rectangular standards were 2.1 to 2.8 meters in length and 1.4 to 2.1 meters in width

A cross, sewn into the middle, divides the standard into four equal parts

Most Streltsy regiments disbanded after Tsar Peter the Great outlawed them after their revolt in 1699

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