A rather popular subject: St Basil's Cathedral in Moscow.
This world-famous church, often seen as an icon of the country of Russia, was commissioned by Ivan the Terrible to commemorate his victory over the Tartar Mongols in 1552. It was built from 1555-1561 and was later named for St. Basil the Blessed; it replaced an earlier structure on the same site, Trinity Cathedral. According to legend, Ivan had the architect blinded to prevent him from creating anything as magnificent as this structure in the future. The design is said to commemorate the seige of Kazan: eight small towers surround one larger one, each representing a day of the seige. Its namesake was later interred in the central chapel. The interior consists of a series of small, dimly lit chapels that can barely accomodate a few visitors; events such as special feast days at the cathedral often had to be held outdoors. Each brightly colored "onion dome" is unique.
Despite its overwhelming popularity (Napoleon reportedly wanted to take the whole building back to France but was unable to do so; much of it is constructed of brick), the Cathedral barely escaped Stalin's regime: in the 1930s, the director of the Red Square reconstruction efforts suggested that it be knocked down to create more space for public parades in the popular Red Square, but the proposal was rejected. A second plan was thwarted by an architect who reportedly spent 5 years in prison for his efforts, which fortunately were successful! Barely visible in the photo is the bronze statue to Minin and Pozharsky, leaders of Russia's volunteer army; the statue was one of the first monumental sculptures in the city and was first placed in the center of the square in 1818, but it was later moved to its present location in 1936.
St. Basil's Cathedral (Khram Vasiliya Blazhennogo or Pokrovsky Sobor), Moscow
Hours:
Wed-Mon 11am-5pm
Location:
Red Square
Transportation:
Metro: Ploshchad Revolutsii
Phone:
095/298-3304
Prices:
Admission $3.50 adults, $1.75 students and children over 7. Joint ticket with Historical Museum $8 adults, $4 students and children
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