The Cathedral of Vasily the Blessed (Russian: Собо́р Васи́лия Блаже́нного, tr. Sobór Vasíliya Blazhénnogo), commonly known as Saint Basils 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 Cathedral of the Intercession of the Most Holy Theotokos on the Moat, or Pokrovsky Cathedral. It was built from 1555 to 1561 on orders from Ivan the Terrible and commemorates the capture of Kazan and Astrakhan. It was the citys tallest building until the completion of the Ivan the Great Bell Tower in 1600.

One of the most beautiful cathedrals I saw so far. The colours are so intense and sharp, you can basically see the soul of the architect. Must see in Moscow. Also check the history behind this cathedral!

So beautiful!Very informative inside, there are information boards in English. When I went they were playing music inside which was heavenly.

One of the best cathedral in Moscow is this beautiful st Basils cathedral . No matter how much time you spend here still feel less . Coz this is such a pure heart melting point of red square . Just outstanding view ♥️🇷🇺 with love from russia 🥂

Nice place to walk around. Super crowded during holiday season. Weather is great. Problematic part was less WC in this area 😂😂😂

Extremely pretty place. Beautiful. Wow. Such an amazing and astonishing place to visit.Absolutely highly recommend to visit it if you have never been there. Moscow is not Moscow without St. Basils Cathedral.So far, this is the only church I would love to visit over and over again! 🎈

The most beautiful place in Russia, ancestral building in Moscow center. The Cathedral of Vasily the Blessed, commonly known as Saint Basils 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 Cathedral of the Intercession of the Most Holy Theotokos on the Moat, or Pokrovsky Cathedral. It was built from 1555 to 1561 on orders from Ivan the Terrible and commemorates the capture of Kazan and Astrakhan. It was the citys tallest building until the completion of the Ivan the Great Bell Tower in 1600. The original building, known as Trinity Church and later Trinity Cathedral, contained eight chapels arranged around a ninth, central chapel dedicated to the Intercession; a tenth chapel was erected in 1588 over the grave of the venerated local saint Vasily (Basil). In the 16th and 17th centuries, the church, perceived (as with all churches in Byzantine Christianity) as the earthly symbol of the Heavenly City, was popularly known as the Jerusalem and served as an allegory of the Jerusalem Temple in the annual Palm Sunday parade attended by the Patriarch of Moscow and the Tsar. The cathedral has nine domes (each one corresponding to a different church) and is shaped like the flame of a bonfire rising into the sky, a design that has no parallel in Russian architecture. Dmitry Shvidkovsky, in his book Russian Architecture and the West, states that it is like no other Russian building. Nothing similar can be found in the entire millennium of Byzantine tradition from the fifth to the fifteenth century ... a strangeness that astonishes by its unexpectedness, complexity and dazzling interleaving of the manifold details of its design. The cathedral foreshadowed the climax of Russian national architecture in the 17th century. As part of the program of state atheism, the church was confiscated from the Russian Orthodox community as part of the Soviet Unions antireligious campaigns and has operated as a division of the State Historical Museum since 1928. It was completely secularized in 1929, and remains a federal property of the Russian Federation. The church has been part of the Moscow Kremlin and Red Square UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1990. With the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991, weekly Orthodox Christian services with prayer to St. Basil have been restored since 1997.

Beautifully painted. Most beautiful church I have even seen.

Impressive cathedral. Both exterior and interior. If you do go inside, make sure to listen to the local 4 man choire, you will get goos umos and overflood of emotions with no exaguration.

Extremely pretty place. Beautiful. Wow. Such an amazing and astonishing place to visit. church I would love to visit again

Come, sit and forget everything. You will feel relaxed and love it.

St. Basils Church in Moscow is located in Red Square and is a very, very beautiful building located in the middle of Red Square, and especially at night, it becomes much more beautiful.

The cathedral Vasily The Blessed (the catedral of St basilica), which is generally known as the Cathedral of St Basil, is an Orthodox church on the Red Square, and is one of the most prominent cultural landmarks in Russia. It was built between 1555-161 and commemorates the conquest of Kazan and Astrakhan on orders by Ivan the Terrible. The original structure, known as the Church of the Trinity, and later as the Cathedral of the Trinity, consisted of 8 Chapels grouped around the ninth central Chapel of intercession. It consists of two buildings.

Wow ❤ the best place in earth

Amazing land mark of Moscow, we travel on the road more than 10,000 km from Bangkok, Thailand to this place. We glad that we can drive Thai car for a month to be here.

The Cathedral of Vasily the Blessed commonly known as Saint Basils 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 Cathedral of the Intercession of the Most Holy Theotokos on the Moat, or Pokrovsky Cathedral. It was built from 1555 to 1561 on orders from Ivan the Terrible and commemorates the capture of Kazan and Astrakhan. It was the citys tallest building until the completion of the Ivan the Great Bell Tower in 1600

I cant describe how much beautiful it looks.

This is an absolute must-see on any visit to Moscow. Situated right on Red Square, it’s a fantastic building, it’s one cathedral but made up of around a dozen individual chapels which are each dedicated to a different saint or historical event. Entry cost is 1,000 RUR. There was a male voice choir singing in there whilst I walked round, the acoustics are amazing. Very atmospheric. Enjoy!

Must visit place🇷🇺

The self guided tour was really great. So many beautiful small chapels inside. And, there was a three man choir singing in the central chapel. They were amazing! Great to see from the outside but also very interesting inside.

This cathedral was one of the most astonishing buildings Ive ever seen! all those colors and the amazing architecture touched my heart and I love so much to visit this place again.I suggest visiting both at morning light and at the beautiful night because it has an awesome view both at day and night.

Incredible soo gorgeous... I visited for 5 times and never feel dissapionted

No words can describe the feeling wondering inside that place!!! Magnificent and unique!!

The iconic building in moscow, must visit place when go to russia moscow, the building such beautiful

Love this place, it is must go to visit.

Marvellous, Fantastic, Beautiful church, worths hours to spend on.

Worth the entrance fee,this cathedral is just as beautiful inside with every inch of it painted and decorated.Very intimate and cozy with lots of stairs that lead to lookout points or interesting niches.Unlike at the Kremlin museum,here you are allowed to take pictures.

The Cathedral of Vasily the Blessed (Russian: собо́р Васи́лия Блаже́нного, Sobor Vasiliya Blazhennogo), commonly known as Saint Basils Cathedral, is a church in Red Square in Moscow, Russia and is regarded as a symbol of the country. The building, now a museum, is officially known as the Cathedral of the Intercession of the Most Holy Theotokos on the Moat (Собо́р Покрова́ Пресвято́й Богоро́дицы, что на Рву, Sobor Pokrova Presvyatoy Bogoroditsy, chto na Rvu) or Pokrovsky Cathedral (Покро́вский собо́р).[5] It was built from 1555 to 1561 on orders from Ivan the Terrible and commemorates the capture of Kazan and Astrakhan. It was the citys tallest building until the completion of the Ivan the Great Bell Tower in 1600.[6]......

.....St. Basil Cathedral Is Amazing

Such a beautiful church

It looks like a ginger bread house.. absolutely stunning

A must visit pace you shouldnt miss if you are in moscow....

Nice

Absolutely 🍁 amazing! It is definitely worth seeing regardless if you are religious or not. It’s breathtaking when you see the cathedral among the modern buildings that surrounds it.⛪🇷🇺I hope everyone that is reading this is having a really good day. And if you are not, just know that in every new minute that passes you have an opportunity to change that.⁣⁣⛩ Instagram ===> @retarophotography⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣

The iconic cathedral in the heart of Moscow has represented the country for many years. I was completely mesmerized to see the beauty of architecture. The colors and contrast of the whole Red Square and amid standing St. Basil Cathedral is indeed a good and joyful experience. For a moment it feels that life is full of colors. The entry ticket to the cathedral is 700 rubles. Photography/tripods are not allowed inside. If you explore the backside of the church you will experience more stunning views of the Moscow city. Its a gift to Russia. This place should be explored and highly recommended during your visit to Moscow.

Another one you were already going to do... But you absolutely should.I recommend checking the opening time (it changes depending on season) and making sure youre there half an hour before as the lines get very long.It is a bit cramped inside and moving around can be difficult with so many other people, so be patient and enjoy the wonderful cathedral.

It must be one of the most famous landmarks in the world, and one of the most beautiful to0, so Thad to see it. | It was amazing to be so close to it and see all the details of this refined and intricate marvel of architecture. There is nothing like it in the World | And it is Worth the trip. Located in the Kremlin and near the Red Square.

A very special place where one can feel the real depth of Russian history

Because the church has no analogue—in preceding, contemporary, or later architecture of Muscovy and Byzantine cultural tradition in general—the sources that inspired Barma and Postnik are disputed. Eugène Viollet-le-Duc rejected European roots for the cathedral, opining that its corbel arches were Byzantine and ultimately Asian. A modern Asian hypothesis considers the cathedral a recreation of Qolşärif Mosque, which was destroyed by Russian troops after the siege of Kazan.Nineteenth-century Russian writers, starting with Ivan Zabelin, emphasized the influence of the vernacular wooden churches of the Russian North; their motifs made their ways into masonry, particularly the votive churches that did not need to house substantial congregations. David Watkin also wrote of a blend of Russian and Byzantine roots, calling the cathedral the climax of Russian vernacular wooden architecture.The church combines the staggered layered design of the earliest (1505–1508) part of the Ivan the Great Bell Tower, the central tent of the Church of Ascension in Kolomenskoye (1530s), and the cylindric shape of the Church of Beheading of John the Baptist in Dyakovo (1547); but the origin of these unique buildings is equally debated. The Church in Kolomenskoye, according to Sergei Podyapolsky, was built by Italian Petrok Maly, although mainstream history has not yet accepted his opinion. Andrey Batalov revised the year of completion of Dyakovo church from 1547 to the 1560s–70s, and noted that Trinity Church could have had no tangible predecessors at all.

When you visit Moscow you know you have to visit Red Square and take a picture outside of St. Basil’s, but it really is worth visiting the inside as well and experiencing the amazing details and small “churches” that this historic building has to offer. We visited as part of a guided tour, but just touring on your own will get you a good feel for the history and majesty of it. When we visited there was also a small singing group inside the church that was beautiful to hear.

St Basil Cathedral has amazing interior decor that has been restored and well maintained. You will get to see historic pictures, crafts and tools from the past.

St. Basils Cathedral is probably the most famous Russian landmark after the Kremlin and the Red SquareBeautiful architecture and colors take my breath away

This iconic Cathedral is a symbol of Russia, a walk along the Red Square is always pleasurable!!

A really beautiful place as on the outside as also on the inside! The Cathedral was build around 1500s. The awesome part is that you can go INSIDE the Cathedral, can get an audio-guide to listen about all the artifacts there, just as take pictures with and without flash! Because it is not an active Cathedral - rather a museum- you have to pay for the tickets to get in. The main theme of the Cathedral is obviously Christian Religion. But let me tell you - it is BEAUTIFUL! Knowing that the place is old, that Russian Zars were going there to worship is really amazing! People who go there are tourists, so it is normal to hear English, German, Spanish. The workers are really sweet and nice, always trying to help and navigate you. You can get a lot of cool pictures there!

Just magnificent! Gorgeous and beautiful. You just have to see it with your own eyes. The cathedral has been a historical and tourist attraction.From afar it is iconic to be seen from red square and the amazing view. Everyone who have been to Moscow knows about this cathedral. The cathedral colours are very clean and polished, colours vibrant and not aged. Really a well maintain historical cathedral.Must visit in Moscow!

The great icon of Moscow!

A must see stop for a traveler inside and outside. Carrying cultural and religious significance this place is a great historical monument. Nothing compares to the expirience of walking through the narrow hallways and larger open chapels within or seeing the marvelous architecture from the outside. Beautiful by day and night!

A photo here is an unforgettable memory. Nothing like it.

Stunning sight outside, very pricey inside. The entrance is 10€ per person, and for me is not worthy at all, my partner is happy with the price, but the most interesting part is the outside of the building

Although its known to everyone as St. Basils, this legendary building is officially called The Cathedral of the Intercession of the Virgin by the Moat. The popular alternative refers to Basil the Blessed, a Muscovite holy fool who was buried on the site (in the Trinity Cathedral that once stood here) a few years before the present building was erected.

One of the most famous cathedrals in the world. So amazing building both in the outside and the inside. Be aware of huge lines to get in. This is a must when you go to Moscow, a fantastic sight to behold!

Really amazing cathedral. After visiting it we were inspired to learn more about its history. Beautiful inside and out. Icons are amazing, really loved all the corridors and galleries inside with beautiful and colourful ornaments. Must visit place

The icon of RussiaBeing there makes you feel that you are right in the middle of old MoscowIf you visit Russia and did not go to Saint Basil’s Cathedral, do not count yourself you visited RussiaWhen I went there it was not so crowded, so I reached the Cathedral pretty easily

World famous landmark of Russia. Cathedral is in the red square and next to the Kremlin palace. marvelous architecture inside and outside.This cathedral was built almost 500 years ago. As there was a lot of fires, its been reconstructed several times. So you can see different periods of Russian history and architecture in one cathedral. This place is standunique and gorgeous!Place closes at 5pm. Ticket booth closes much earlier

As amazing as you can expect. Amazing architecture, beautiful art, and tons of history. Well worth the 1,000 Ruble entry fee! If you dont go, youll wish you had.

Its such a beautiful an iconic place in Moscow that you have to see, there is a fee that you can pay online or in a cabin next to the cathedral so you can enter, inside its really beautiful its a must go place to visit when you travel to Russia

Must visit place

Its dreamy place to be. Doesn’t matter the time of the year you pass by, the cathedral and the square have this specific kind of magic you will experience while you are there. Walk around and enjoy the square and the cathedral!

EntranceSt. Basils Cathedral is a Christian church (now a museum) on Red Square in Moscow, Russia, and is considered a cultural symbol of the country. It was built from 1555 to 1561 on the orders of Ivan the Terrible.

St. Basils Cathedral is must see highlight of any trip to Moscow. Make sure you take the time to explore and enjoy all it has to offer.I am pleased I had purchased Skip the Line Tickets to avoid the lengthy queues. I visited twice during my 5 days in Moscow firstly on my own and then with our tour guide who was very knowledgable and gave a different insight into the history of the incredibly beautiful piece of architecture.

Extremely beautiful.

Beautiful Cathedral. Well worth the visit inside. You need time to walk through and enjoy the beauty of the ancient history.

Great place, feels like you got transported 500 years back when you enter

• One of the Most top sights not just in Moscow or Russia but in the world.• A world famous landmark• It was built from 1555–61 on orders from Ivan the Terrible and commemorates a capture of Kazan and Astrakhan• The church has been part of the Moscow Kremlin and Red Square UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1990.• To enter inside costs 350 rubsBriefly, you MUST come and see it.

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. The church was dedicated to the protection and intercession of the Virgin, but it came to be known as the Cathedral of Vasily Blazhenny (St. Basil the Beatified) after Basil, the Russian holy fool who was “idiotic for Christ’s sake” and who was buried in the church vaults during the reign (1584–98) of Tsar Fyodor I.The church was designed by two Russian architects, Posnik and Barma (who may in fact have been one person). According to popular legend, however, it was built by an Italian architect who was blinded so that he could never create anything that was similar or equal.

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

I have never been to Russia, but if I ever do, St. Basils Cathedral will top my list of must-see attractions. I have been captivated by this most enchanting historical monument since my childhood when I witnessed my first illustration of it in a book of fairy tales from around the world. When I eventually got to see a photo of the cathedral, I was much more impressed with its lines and its beauty than ever before - even the colorful illustration of St. Basils Cathedral inside the book of fairy tales paled in comparison to what the extraordinary structure projected of itself in the real world - or from a photo image of itself, which was all I could hope for a few decades ago at the height of the Cold War between our nations. ...Glad were all still here... Anyway - So began my fascination with the great city of Санкт-Петербург and its Baroque and medieval Russian architecture that dots its landscape. These are the types of timeless standing monuments that still bring color and imagination into an otherwise mundane world. Most of the coolest architectural grandiosity and style was put into the cathedrals and churches of that era and although St. Petersburg has the win for its sheer number of standing architectural-historical Russian heirlooms, Moscow has only to mention just one of its high assortment of braggadocio worthy historical gems to rise above all other comers - St.Basils Cathedral - Nuff said.

The Most beautiful Cathedral in Russia. Its worthy to visit.

I recommend not to visit inside. It is really small and simple place. If you visited many cathedral in Europe, not worth to visit inside. Only the outside look is super and great. Specially at night, the illumination is amazing.

Great place for nice photos with the cathedral in the background. Place closes at 5pm. Ticket booth closes much earlier. Was there at 4 and we were about the last ones to be let in. With the setting sun and decreasing tourist numbers visiting at this hour, its much easier to get nice a photo opportunity

I love seeing the inside. Remember to see everything downstairs first. They do not let you go back down after you go up.

The Cathedral of Vasily the Blessed, commonly known as Saint Basils Cathedral, is a church in Red Square in Moscow, Russia and is regarded as a symbol of the country. The building, now a museum, is officially known as the Cathedral of the Intercession of the Most Holy Theotokos on the Moat or Pokrovsky Cathedral.At the southern end of Red Square stands the icon of Russia: St Basil’s Cathedral. This crazy confusion of colours, patterns and shapes is the culmination of a style that is unique to Russian architecture. In 1552 Ivan the Terrible captured the Tatar stronghold of Kazan on the Feast of Intercession. He commissioned this landmark church, officially the Intercession Cathedral, to commemorate the victory. Created from 1555 to 1561, this masterpiece would become the ultimate symbol of Russia.

Beautiful architecture

The best icon in russia to go and see. Its in the red square. Entrance ticket us ruble 700/=. There are small corridors and partway in side the church.The wall decorations were amazing. I like the celling painting.Its a eye catching gold and bronze works inside. You can get photos but no flash and selfi sticks.

There is a xmas carnival when December, enjoy the atmosphere and sunset.

Wonderful insides as obviously the outside. Many small churches inside. We had luck also to listen to a singing exercise.

One of the best cathdral in moscow ✌🏻✌🏻

Red square looks gigantic and amazing place to take pictures. However, the cathedral from inside is more of a museum and could have easily been skipped. Better cathedrals in St Petersburg and even in Moscow.

We are very pleased we visited this very historic building. There are many displays and the building itself is amazing. Allow over an hour to have a decent look at everything. There are some good views of Red Square from some areas.

The entrance fee was 500 roubles (about £6) and kids under 16 are free, so absolute bargain for a national treasure and no queues to get in. Happy days.The historical information is also helpfully provided in English, so we managed to find out who built it and when. (It was built from 1555 to 1561 by Ivan the Terrible to commemorate the capture of Kazan and Astrakha.) The guide books cast doubt on the story of its architects having their eyes put out, so they could never build anything as beautiful again, which is good because I hate that story.Every inch of ceiling, wall and door is covered in gold or fabulous murals. It isn’t actually very big inside so, a thousand photos later, we were done by lunch time.

Fantastic. Dont miss going in here if you are in Moscow . you must visit. The male ensemble have fantastic voices

Beautiful place i will visit again soon...♥️🥰

This was quite amazing place. Also personally, you should try to go inside. It costs 500 rubles but totally worth it to see inside. Finally, on the second floor, you could listen the traditional Russian song with great voice. I would definitely recommend this place to visit

Amazingly beautiful inside and out. Definitely go to see the interior, it is worth it.

The original building, known as Trinity Church and later Trinity Cathedral, contained eight chapels arranged around a ninth, central chapel dedicated to the Intercession; a tenth chapel was erected in 1588 over the grave of the venerated local saint Vasily (Basil). In the 16th and 17th centuries, the church, perceived (as with all churches in Byzantine Christianity) as the earthly symbol of the Heavenly City,[7] was popularly known as the Jerusalem and served as an allegory of the Jerusalem Temple in the annual Palm Sunday parade attended by the Patriarch of Moscow and the Tsar.[8]The cathedral has nine domes (each one corresponding to a different church) and is shaped like the flame of a bonfire rising into the sky,[9] a design that has no parallel in Russian architecture. Dmitry Shvidkovsky, in his book Russian Architecture and the West, states that it is like no other Russian building. Nothing similar can be found in the entire millennium of Byzantine tradition from the fifth to the fifteenth century ... a strangeness that astonishes by its unexpectedness, complexity and dazzling interleaving of the manifold details of its design.[10] The cathedral foreshadowed the climax of Russian national architecture in the 17th century.[11]As part of the program of state atheism, the church was confiscated from the Russian Orthodox community as part of the Soviet Unions antireligious campaigns and has operated as a division of the State Historical Museum since 1928.[12] It was completely secularized in 1929,[12] and remains a federal property of the Russian Federation. The church has been part of the Moscow Kremlin and Red Square UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1990.[13][14] With the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991, weekly Orthodox Christian services with prayer to St. Basil have been restored since 1997

Top 10 bucket list item.Incredible.

Iconic image of Russia is just as amazing as it looks, especially on a sunny day.

Absolutely more breathtaking in person than any picture could ever show. If you ever find yourself in Russia, you must absolutely see it.

Wow...such a beautiful place with so much history. You can already spent quite a while just standing in front of it and looking at the architecture. Then inside you will be amazed about the art, history, wealth. However, you have to be careful with the opening times since it is closing quite early. It is an interesting place also for people that are not very religious. On the back of the cathedral you will have a nice view over Moscow.The icon of Moscow, it’s a must to do, I think it is worth paying and going inside, but without a doubt the best is on the outside.

Its the symbol of Russia, just in front of the kremlins wall the cathedral is situated. If you are asking, the cathedral has an byzantine architectural design, thats why it has not usual cupolas. Its a 100% photogenic place, so you will have a long photo session there be ready. You, wont believe but inside is smaller than it seems. Obviously as every monument in Russia you must visit it in the first half of the day (if you want to enter), I recommend to visit twice (at night and along the day) also I recommend to visit in winter, I think, it looks better (more russian) because the snow and etc. Dont forget it is in the red square, so you should visit more things near of it.

We also got the English audio guides, so total damage for two was 3000r. The numbering and english signage were not well executed which detracted from enjoying the visit. Much prefer the 2000r spent at Pushkin Museum also including audio guides. This church seems more interesting from the outside than from inside! Not a must visit (inside) imho.

One of the most beautiful, wonderful, mesmerizing & grand old historical architecture in world.Located in Moscow red square, considered as the must visit iconic symbol of Russia.Its colors are so beautiful and doms are onion like. Red & green colors with gold colors make it eye catching.It was built in 1555-1561.Highly recommended & must visit place in Moscow.

Whats goodThe cathedral is so different and huge that one can figure it out from far. The different flavors of ice cream scoops that look like on the top create a colourful impact.Whats not goodMassive crowd around red square.What to doClub the visit with Cremlin and Gum store visit. The cathedral is visible from cruise as well. At the back of it, a road goes to Savior Church walking along the walls of Cremlin which is some experience.

The most characteristic building in the centre of the city!! Just look at the pictures

A very beautiful and unique church in red square. Maybe the most remarkable building of Russia.

What a sight to see!! Best at night- is well lit. Going inside is ₽500

One of the oldest churches in Russia. was built in 1500s but with time it becomes a museum. Very colorful and well built

Good to visit inside. Goodness atmosphere.

I love St. Basil’s Cathedral on Red Square! Most of my visits to this place happened during the winter (which has its own magic), but if you get the chance, try to visit it during the summer. The way the light reflects off of that building during the “golden hour” is absolutely breathtaking!

Saint Basils Cathedral ✨ | Moscow, Russia 🇷🇺 | Photo by @elena.krizhevskaya 📸 [IG]