Saint Basil's Cathedral

Step inside Saint Basil's Cathedral, where nine vibrant onion domes rise above Moscow's Red Square. Walk through narrow corridors to discover 14th-century Novgorod icons, listen to Orthodox choirs during services, and climb steep staircases for close-up views of the intricate dome patterns. This 16th-century Orthodox church stands as a masterpiece of Russian religious architecture.

Historical Context

Tsar Ivan the Terrible ordered the cathedral's construction from 1555 to 1561 after his military victories over the Kazan and Astrakhan khanates. Russian architects Ivan Barma and Postnik Yakovlev created the unique design. Local legend tells that the Tsar had them blinded to prevent them from building anything similar elsewhere. The Soviets turned the cathedral into a museum, and since 1991, it serves both as a museum and an active Orthodox church.

Dome Designs and Colors

Nine chapels make up the cathedral, each topped with distinctly patterned domes. You'll see chevrons on some, spirals on others, and diamond shapes adorning several more. The building rises 47.5 meters, with eight domes forming a star pattern around the central chapel when viewed from above. In the 17th century, painters added the current deep reds, bright greens, and blues to replace the original red and white exterior.

Interior Chambers and Artwork

Walk through small chambers linked by narrow corridors and staircases to see more than 400 religious icons. The Novgorod school icons display deep reds and golds, while Moscow school paintings show fine detail work. Look for recessed spaces in the walls - these once held the cathedral's treasury. During Orthodox services, male singers perform in the central chapel, filling the space with centuries-old hymns.

Planning Your Visit

Visit daily between 10 AM and 6 PM in summer, or 11 AM to 5 PM in winter. Adult tickets cost 2,000 RUB, children aged 7-17 pay 1,000 RUB. Enter from Red Square, near Okhotny Ryad or Teatralnaya metro stations. The steep stairs and narrow passages make wheelchair and stroller access impossible. You can take photos inside without flash.