Who Designed The Famous Moscow Church? 10 Things To Know About St. Basil’s Cathedral & Its Architects

Who Designed The Famous Moscow Church? 10 Things To Know About St. Basil’s Cathedral & Its Architects

What comes to mind when you think about Russia? you probably think about the icy landscapes, Russian vodka and perhaps the many movies you’ve watched about the mafia. However, what many people forget to note is that Russian architecture and St. Basil’s Cathedral in Moscow would spring to mind especially if you’re a little bit of a history nerd. 

This church survived various periods in Russian history and like other old architectural structures, this Cathedral has a lot of stories that surround it, whether you’re planning to visit or you’re simply fascinated by the structure then read on and get to know the 10 facts about its architects, the structure and the history. 

1. Did Tsar Ivan IV blind the architects after the construction?

TELLURIDE 749, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

The most well-known story surrounding St. Basil’s Cathedral is that after the cathedral was completed, Ivan the Terrible had his architects blinded, preventing them from ever again producing something so magnificent. But how true is it?

Ivan the Terrible is another nickname for Tsar Ivan IV. But, it’s not as horrible as it sounds because the original Russian word actually refers to Ivan the Great. In truth, many historians believe that this myth is the result of the Tsar’s legacy being seen incorrectly and emphasising his negative rather than beneficial activities.

The architect of the cathedral, Postnik Yakovlev, actually went on to create Moscow’s Cathedral of the Annunciation, according to historical documents. He also contributed to the design of the Kremlin at Kazan, none of which would have been possible if the Tsar had truly blinded him.

2. St. Basil’s Cathedral has a wooden framework

Before 1954, when the Soviet Union maintained the church, nobody actually knew this fact. Further research showed that the frame was actually a scale model of the cathedral that was built before the building itself. The cathedral’s stonework buried the frame inside itself once work on the building’s main structure had started.

3. The Cathedral’s murals and icons go back to the 1680s

Zeynel Cebeci, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Researchers have determined that the oldest icons and murals in the cathedral date from the 1680s, more than a century after the building of the cathedral itself. The Russians continued to add murals and icons during the succeeding centuries, with the most recent ones dating just from 1848.

4. The building used to be white 

The entire structure was white in order to complement the nearby Kremlin’s white stone facade. Its tin onion-shaped domes were decorated with a thin layer of gold leaf.

The Cathedral has undergone some renovations since then. The bell tower and vivid decorations were added to the gilded domes of St. Basil’s Cathedral during the 17th-century renovation. A second renovation occurred in 1860 when the entire building was painted with intricate patterns that are visible to visitors today.

5. It has nine onion-domed towers

Shirvanbeigi, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Because of its unique designs, the St. Basil Cathedral is unlike anything else in Russia. It contains nine towers with onion-domed tops that are simply fascinating to see. The walls are covered with ornately carved Kokoschka that soar over the windows and are scattered across overlapping layers of embroidered florals. The roof and stairs are covered in decorative tiles with geometric patterns. 

6. Joseph Stalin planned to tear St. Basil’s down 

At first, Joseph Stalin considered the cathedral to be an obstacle to his plan to reconstruct Moscow as a modern city. The leaders of the Communist Party engaged in a number of discussions and disagreements as a result. Pyotr Baranovsky desired to keep the cathedral intact, although Lazar Kaganovich wanted it torn down.

The latter was ultimately imprisoned for his protests, but after his return to the party in 1937, more officials were in favour of keeping the church.

7. There have been debates about the design

Diego Delso, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

St Basil’s Cathedral initially appears to be an untidy building, however, it was built using an asymmetrical design strategy. Students of architecture have long been confused by the project’s logic.

According to some experts, the arrangement of an eight-chapel cluster around a central church is a tribute to the important eight-pointed star sign used in mediaeval art. Others claim that the building was built to pay homage to the Old Jerusalem churches.

8. The colours are said to have spiritual meanings

In the Orthodox Christian faith, the colours used to decorate St. Basil’s Cathedral’s domes have special importance. Beyond aesthetics, each colour has different meanings. The gold accents stand for divine light and enlightenment. The blue hues represent the universe and the link between Earth and heaven.

On the other hand, green reflects themes of renewal and rebirth because it is a symbol of nature and progress. Finally, the crimson hues have a strong connection to both martyrdom and the blood of Christ.

9. The interior of St. Basil’s Cathedral has been described as adventurous 

People who have visited this Cathedral have described their experience as fascinating and exciting. For starters, every turn provides a different viewpoint which helps you see the decorations of the chapel. There are hidden staircases that feel like a maze.  The interior design will definitely leave you in awe as it is highly unique and beautiful to explore. 

10. St. Basi’s Cathedral has served as an inspiration to the rest of Russian architecture 

James G. Howes, Attribution, via Wikimedia Commons

St. Basil’s Cathedral had a significant impact on the architectural world, inspiring the design of many other Russian structures, including churches. It’s vivid atmosphere and elaborate onion dome designs influenced the style of constructions built after it, making it a model for amazing places of worship and gathering.

St. Basil’s Cathedral created the stage for other Russian structures to shine with its unique domes, interesting patterns, and smart arrangement. It is a true adventure to explore with its unique colours and secret spots. This design is still popular in structures today despite being centuries old.