kremlin

Similar forms are attested, per Vasmer's Etymological Dictionary, in earlier German Kremelin and French Cremlin, which are theorized to come from Old East Slavic кремльнъ (kremlĭnŭ, “having a kremlin”), from кремль (kremlĭ), whence Russian кремль (kremlʹ).

kremlin (plural kremlins)

1. (architecture, Slavic architecture) A fortified, central complex found in various Russian cities.
   • 1997, Council of Europe, Cultural Policy in the Russian Federation, page 107:

     9% of historical parks are the gardens of monasteries and kremlins (fortified centres in the towns), 8% are urban ("public") gardens and only 2% are parks on urban estates.

   • 2012, Britannica Student Encyclopedia, Encyclopaedia Britannica, Inc, page 87:

     Several cities in Russia were built around fortresses called kremlins. Russians built kremlins for defense during the Middle Ages. A kremlin was often located along a river.

   • 2012, Konstantin Nossov, Russian Fortresses 1480-1682, page 45:

     The centre of the kremlin usually held the prince's or voivode’s court, the cathedral, and the bishop's court. This arrangement can be seen in quite a number of 16th-century kremlins. The main street of the kremlin connected this complex with the gate leading to the marketplace.

• Minkler