Saint Basil's Cathedral

The Cathedral of Saint Basil the Blessed, also called St. Basil's Cathedral, is also known as the Cathedral of the Intercession of Most Holy Theotokos on the Moat. It is the church that Russians recognize the most.

Ivan the Terrible issued an order for the construction of St. Basil's Cathedral in the 16th century. Since then, it has captured the interest of visitors to Moscow. Some thought it strange; others were mesmerized by its strange beauty.

The church is covered in stories and legends. Supposedly, the architect was blinded by the ruthless Russian monarch to stop him from creating a more gorgeous structure for anyone else. According to legend, when Napoleon learned he couldn't move the Cathedral to Paris, he planned to destroy it.

Why do humans make up all these tales? Red Square is still dominated by the fantastical Cathedral, which captures our attention with its beauty.

Who built St Basil's Cathedral?

Two Russian architects, Postnik and Barma, are credited with creating St. Basil's Cathedral, according to historical accounts from the time. According to a different theory, Barma and Yakovlev were one individual. Many reputable Russian historians concur that architects continued to build further churches throughout Russia after being awakened.

According to the third account, a Western European architect oversaw the construction of the temple. St. Basil's Cathedral's odd structure and a mix of Western European and Russian decorative elements are evidence of a distinctly foreign influence. But there is no evidence for the latest version in the records.

Mystery of Colours:

The church appeared different in the sixteenth century than it does now. Only in the late 17th and early 18th century did the striking multicolored pattern on its domes first develop. The original Cathedral's colors were primarily crimson and white.

According to many art historians, the Cathedral of St. Basil the Blessed was constructed as a physical portrayal of the Jerusalem of heaven. Amid Moscow, it was intended to stand in for both a town and paradise.

Things to see:

The inside of the cathedral is small and evocative despite its lack of space. You may explore the structure's medieval past by navigating a maze of dimly lit passages between chapels.

Today, the church serves as a museum. The main justifications for entering are discussed below:

• Discover St. Basil's shrine and discover the tale of the Russian pious fools.
• Take pictures of the inside of the church. The majority of Russian churches forbid photography.
• Learn the secrets of Russian church acoustics and locate the locations in the walls where valuables were once hidden.
• The cathedral male choir singing in one of the chapels will be a genuine highlight of your trip.