The Cathedral of Vasily the Blessed, commonly known as Saint Basil's Cathedral, is an Orthodox church in Red Square of Moscow, and is one of the most popular cultural symbols of Russia.

Why was the St Basil's cathedral built?

St. Basil's was built by order of Tsar Ivan IV (Ivan the Terrible) to commemorate the capture of the Tatar stronghold Kazan in 1552. ... As Yurganov notes however, the Cathedral appears more in popular association to be a commemoration of the 'holy fool' St. Basil than the epic, fairy-tale like battle of Kazan.

When was St Basil's Cathedral started?

Saint Basil's Cathedral was built between 1555 and 1561 by Ivan the Terrible in Moscow, Russia. Legend has it that the cathedral's builder was blinded post-construction so that a structure of its beauty could never be built again.

How long did St Basil's Cathedral take to build?

Basil's Cathedral in Moscow, Russia. Located in Moscow, Russia, St. Basi's Cathedral was commissioned by Ivan the Terrible in 1552 to commemorate the successful conquest of the Kazan and Astrakhan. Construction took nearly ten years to complete, and the cathedral was consecrated in 1561.

Is St Basil Cathedral still used today?

The fairy-tale Cathedral still dominates Red Square and impresses its beauty on our imagination. The Cathedral was commissioned by Ivan the Terrible to commemorate the capture of the Khanate of Kazan, and was constructed from 1555 to 1561. ... St Basil's Cathedral is now a museum, and the interior can still be explored.

The Tragic Story Behind St. Basil's Cathedral

When was the Kremlin built?

In 13th century the Kremlin was the official residence of supreme power - the center of temporal and spiritual life of the state. The Kremlin of the late 15th – early 16th century is one of the major fortifications of Europe (the stone walls and towers of present day were erected in 1485–1516).

Which Cathedral did Ivan the Terrible Commission?

When was St. basil's Cathedral built? The Cathedral was commissioned by Ivan the Terrible to commemorate the capture of the Khanate of Kazan. It was constructed from 1555 to 1561.

Who ordered the building of the Cathedral?

The pope has the right to designate a cathedral, although the choice of the bishop of the diocese or his decision to build a cathedral is normally approved by the pope. The bishop must be present in his cathedral on certain holy days, and he must normally perform ordinations there.

What church did Ivan the Terrible build?

Saint Basil the Blessed, also called Pokrovsky Cathedral, Russian Svyatoy Vasily Blazhenny or Pokrovsky Sobor, church constructed on Red Square in Moscow between 1554 and 1560 by Tsar Ivan IV (the Terrible), as a votive offering for his military victories over the khanates of Kazan and Astrakhan.

What is Saint Basil's cathedral built of?

The cathedral is an extraordinary structure with eight claustrophobically small chapels huddled around an incredibly tall central nave. The whole thing was built from a new material—brick, which covers a timber frame. Four of the chapels are raised up on platforms to symbolise their position between heaven and earth.

Who is Ivan the Terrible?

Ivan the Terrible, Russian Ivan Grozny, byname of Ivan Vasilyevich, also called Ivan IV, (born August 25, 1530, Kolomenskoye, near Moscow [Russia]—died March 18, 1584, Moscow), grand prince of Moscow (1533–84) and the first to be proclaimed tsar of Russia (from 1547).

What was Saint Basil known for?

He was an influential theologian who supported the Nicene Creed and opposed the heresies of the early Christian church, fighting against both Arianism and the followers of Apollinaris of Laodicea. ... In addition to his work as a theologian, Basil was known for his care of the poor and underprivileged.

Why is it called Red Square in Moscow?

Moscow's Red Square (Krasnaya Ploshchad) is known for its political symbolism, but was actually named for its loveliness: Krasnaya, or “red,” meant “beautiful” in old Russian. The plaza has drawn crowds since it was a 1400s shantytown. ... Basil's onion domes, Red Square remains the beating heart of Russia.

Which leader adopted Orthodox Christianity as the official religion of Russia?

In the 10th century Prince Vladimir I, who was converted by missionaries from Byzantium, adopted Christianity as the official religion for Russia, and for nearly 1,000 years thereafter the Russian Orthodox church was the country's dominant religious institution.

When was Red Square Moscow built?

The original Kremlin in Moscow began in 1156 as a wooden structure north of the Moskva River. As Muscovite power and wealth expanded by the late 1400s, Prince Ivan III ordered the area now known as Red Square–which at the time was a slum or shantytown housing poor peasants and criminals–cleared.

What is the name of the citadel of Moscow?

The Moscow Kremlin (Russian: Московский Кремль, tr. Moskovskiy Kreml', IPA: [mɐˈskofskʲɪj krʲemlʲ]), or simply the Kremlin, is a fortified complex in the center of Moscow founded by Russian ruling dynasty of Rurikids.

Who is the first czar of Russia?

On 16 January 1547, Ivan 'the Terrible' was crowned the first Tsar of Russia, and on 15 March 1917, the last Tsar of Russia, Nicholas II, abdicated.

Is the Kremlin the same as St Basil's Cathedral?

Basil's Cathedral, which sits on Red Square below the ramparts of the Kremlin. The Kremlin's tower-studded, walled complex of domed cathedrals and palaces, which dates to 1156 but occupies a site used for far longer, was the religious center of the Russian Orthodox Church and also the residence of the tsars.

Can you go inside St Basil's Cathedral?

Basil's Cathedral in Moscow, located in Red Square, is definitely a must-go visit in the Russian capital. The entrance costs 700 rubles (it's free for children up to 16 years old). ... Basil's Cathedral in Moscow and how to organize your visit (tickets, schedules, duration and guided tours).

Did Ivan blind the architect?

5. The architects of the cathedral were blinded. ... The legend has it that Ivan the Terrible ordered that the architects be blinded after they completed work on this beautiful cathedral so that they could not replicate or surpass it elsewhere.

Why is St Basil cathedral so important?

St Basil's Cathedral was completed in 1561 to celebrate Russian victory over the Khanate of Kazan. ... The cathedral was recognised as significant and irreplaceable national monument by the Soviets. It underwent extensive restoration and became a museum of architecture, history, politics, and religion.