Saint Basil’s Cathedral ‒ All You Need to Know

Saint Basil’s Cathedral, also known as the Cathedral of Vasily the Blessed, is for sure one of the most symbolic buildings of Moscow and even Russia. This Orthodox church, nowadays a museum, is also the symbol of the traditional Russian architectural style, which explains why it has been a model for the Church of the Savior on Spilled Blood built three centuries later in Saint Petersburg. Saint Basil’s has indeed been erected in 1561 under Ivan the Terrible’s command after he vanquished the Tatars of Kazan for good in 1552. For the first time in Muscovy, a church was dedicated to a military victory, with the completion of 8 chapels surrounding the main church, one for each battle won by Ivan IV against the Tatars, and each one crowned by a unique and magnificent cupola.

Often compared to a giant cake because of its colors and peculiar domes and cupolas, Saint Basil’s Cathedral remains Moscow’s symbol and one of its most beautiful building. Everytime I stay in Moscow, I need to see it again, and from time to time I treat myself with a visit of this masterpiece. This majesty led to widespread legend telling that the Tsars bursted the architect’s eyes to prevent him from creating more beautiful buildings in the future!

If it kept safe the Tsar’s treasures some centuries ago, it is now Moscow’s treasure itself. After having been damaged by several fires and by lack of restoration during the first decades of the Soviet Union, Saint Basil’s currently is a bright and colorful spot on the Red Square. 

Because of these colors, this peculiar architecture, its symbolism, its secrets and its history, Saint Basil’s Cathedral always caught me out of breath when seeing it by entering the Red Square from the north. I’m always amazed by its beauty and always feel overwhelmed by the rich history of Russia when admiring it! What about you? How do you feel when you look at Saint Basil’s? Maybe it’s time to discover it when having a walk Moscow’s city center.

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