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The Cathedral of Vasily the Blessed (Russian: Собо́р Васи́лия Блаже́нного, tr. Sobór Vasíliya Blazhénnogo ), 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. The building, now a museum, is officially known as the ...
- Active
- Russian Orthodox Church
- 12 July 1561; 462 years ago
- State Historical Museum with church services since 1991
Nov 24, 2020 · St Basil’s Cathedral was originally constructed in 1555, under the orders of Tsar Ivan IV (also known as Ivan the Terrible). Ivan’s intention in building St Basil’s Cathedral was to celebrate his victory in the Russo-Kazan Wars, specifically the siege of Kazan and the cathedral’s name was derived from that of a Russian Orthodox saint ...
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Jan 17, 2022 · The chapel of St. Basil was added to the cathedral in 1588, built over the his grave. Today there is a shrine to St. Basil, and his remains still lie under the earth beneath.
- It was commissioned by Ivan the Terrible. Ivan Vasilyevich (1530-1584), the first Tsar of Russia, ordered the construction of the cathedral in 1555 following Russia's capture of the independent Khanate of Kazan.
- The building is made up of 10 churches. The layout of the cathedral is based around one massive central church called the Intercession. Four large churches are arranged around the central core like compass points, and four smaller churches are diagonally placed.
- The exterior was originally painted white. Although today Saint Basil's Cathedral is recognized for its vibrant palette, the colorful exterior was not added until 200 years after the structure was completed.
- Saint Basil's Cathedral isn't the official name. The official name of Saint Basil's Cathedral is the Cathedral of the Intercession of the Most Holy Theotokos on the Moat.
Dec 1, 2020 · The cathedral is known worldwide for its fairytale-like appearance, and attracts around 400,000 visitors a year and has become an important cultural symbol. An engraving of Saint Basil's circa 1700.
May 29, 2021 · Built first as a church (Trinity Church) and then elevated to the status of a cathedral a few decades later, St. Basil’s was a commemorative monument to the victories of Ivan IV (r. grand prince of Moscow 1533-1547; tsar of all Rus’ 1547-1584) in the Russo-Kazan Wars of 1552. These events significantly expanded the borders of Ivan IV’s ...
Mar 3, 2016 · 2. THE CATHEDRAL WAS CONSTRUCTED IN HONOR OF A MILITARY CONQUEST. Ivan’s goal of military dominance over a central Russian state led to numerous conflicts during his reign. In the 1550s, his ...
