The Church That Came Out Of A Story Book.

Saint Basil's Cathedral of Vasily the Blessed has been a symbol of Moscow for many centuries. The cathedral is famous for its fairy tale like appearance, with bright red walls and onion shaped domes. Let's take a closer look at the classic example of medieval Russian architecture.

Who Built It?

It was built by Ivan Vasilyevich, popularly called Ivan the Terrible (1530-1584), the first Tsar of Russia to commemorate the victories over Khanate of Kazan and Asrakhan.

Asian or European?

* The church is unique owing to the lack of analogue - preceding, contemporary or later architecture of Muscovy and Byzantine * Some researchers reject European roots for the cathedral, saying that its corbel arches were Byzantine and hence Asian * Another theory states that the cathedral may be a recreation Qolsarif Mosque Which was destroyed by the Russians after capturing Kazan.

Asymmetric

* The cathedral is not in perfect symmetry even if the side churches are arranged in perfect symmetry * The larger central church was deliberately offset to the west from the geometric centre of the side churches to accommodate its larger apse (semicircular recess) on the eastern side * As a result of this, the view from the north and the south is complex with multi-axial shapes. The view from the west, facing the Kremlin, appears to be symmetric and monolithic.

1555 - '61 

Years the cathedral was built. Architects were Postnik Yakovlev and Ivan Barma.

Originally White

The church may be known for its bright colours but the vibrant exterior we know today was added only 200 years after the structure was completed. Historians are of the opinion that the cathedral was originally painted with golden domes.

Biblical Inspiration

17th century-Russia saw architectural styles incorporating whimsical colour schemes. The cathedral took inspiration from the Heavenly City that was described in the Book of Revelations.

Made Up Of 10 Churches

The layout of the cathedral is based around one massive central church called the Intercession.

Four other churches surround the Intercession like compass points with four smaller churches diagonally placed. 

1558

A tenth chapel was later added.

Under Communist USSR - 1928

* The church was confiscated from the Russian Orthodox Church during the Soviet Union's anti religious campaigns * It then operated as a division of the State Historical Museum and was secularised a year later.

UNESCO Site - 1990

The cathedral was added to UNESCO's World Heritage Site along with the Kremlin and Red Square.

Open for Prayers - 1997

With the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991, weekly church services with prayers to Saint Basil have been restored.

Courtesy. The NIE

Tailpiece.

Got up at 6, the chores and was ready by a quarter to 10. The BJP candidate came on a house visit, soliciting for votes.

Had a nice chat with Gavvy and Smita from Paris. Damn sweet of them to call us!

Participated in the Azhchakkoottam between 1600-1700 hrs. "The Reading Experience during the Online Period" by Ms. Suja Suresh, Librarian, Kerala University.