Russia’s St Basil’s Cathedral has become a household name across the world. One of Moscow’s most iconic structures, the cathedral combines eleven different churches into one cohesive whole on Red Square, right next to the Kremlin.
It is a stunning example of historic Russian architecture at its finest. Who built it, why, and what can you discover there now in this monument to Russian spiritual, political, and architectural history?
It was during Tsar Ivan IV’s reign that St Basil’s Cathedral was built, the culmination of a century-long feud between the Kazan Khanate and Russia. To commemorate Russia’s triumph over the Tatars in 1552, Ivan the Terrible swore to build a church.
St Basil’s Cathedral History
There were seven smaller chapels built around the wooden Trinity Cathedral when it was captured on October 2nd by the Russians. A stone church was erected in Moscow in 1555 when the Kazan Khanate acceded to Russia, and Ivan ordered its renovation. Although Russian architects Barma and Postnik are widely believed to have created St Basil’s Cathedral, it is not known for sure who designed the building.
- To commemorate Russia’s victory over the Khanate of Kazan, St. Basil’s Cathedral was constructed in 1561. Cathedral of Intercession, or St. Basil’s Cathedral as it is more often known, was built in the 16th century by the holy idiot Vasily.
- The Soviets deemed the church an important and irreplaceable national landmark. It was extensively restored and is now a museum dedicated to architecture, history, politics, and religion. St Basil’s, unlike many other ancient structures, was spared by Stalin’s administration.
It is because of the bright onion domes of Saint Basil’s cathedral that this well-known structure has been renowned as one of the city’s most distinguishing symbols. The cathedral, which stands on the edge of the red square and was built between 1555 and 1561 to commemorate Ivan the Terrible’s victory against the Tartar Mongols in 1552 when the city of Kazan was still under his control, was dedicated in 1561.
The location of Saint Basil’s Cathedral was chosen immediately outside the city walls.
