The Saint Basil’s Cathedral is an example of the unique architecture standing at the heart of Russia’s Moscow since the 16th century. The colorful building with its unique design is thought to have no other building like it on earth in old or modern times.
Though it may remind many of the colorful mansions in Disney movies but the Cathedral was built to commemorate national victories. The church was built to celebrate Russians’ victory over Tartars in 1552 and was completed in 1560. It consists of eight churches around an essential ninth that represent the eight victories over Tartars. The Cathedral is officially known as “The Cathedral of the Intercession of the Virgin by the Moat”.
The cathedral located in the Red Square beside the Kremlin has always been among the top tourist attractions in Russia due to its historic worth and distinctive structure. It is known that it was designed to resemble the shape of a bonfire in full flame.
It is said that the cathedral’s original color was white in order to match the white stones of the Kremlin and the domes were gold. The Facade and domes began to be painted in today’s colors since the 17th century.
While it is a cathedral but it has been a museum and tourist attraction since 1929, one church a service is held in every October in honor of the Intercession Day. In 1990, the Red Square containing the cathedral were named a World Heritage Site by the UNESCO to be one of 16 UNESCO cultural sites in Russia.
The Saint Basil’s Cathedral is open to visitors on daily basis from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and is only closed on Tuesdays.
