A mesmerizing collection of vivid hues and domes, St. Basil's Cathedral looms at the southern end of the Red Square, one of Russia's most widely-recognized architectural monuments. Originally built between 1555 and 1561 to commemorate the victory of Ivan IV in Kazan, the cathedral was a vision in white stone with gilded domes. The colors and patterns were not added until the 17th Century. Little is known about the architects of this majestic edifice and for a time legend had it that Ivan IV had the duo blinded to prevent them from replicating the design. Originally composed of nine chapels, a tenth was added a few years later where the tomb of Saint Basil lies. Although officially named the Cathedral of the Intercession, this historic jewel's more popular moniker derives from this. Today, St. Basil's Cathedral is a museum attracting droves of visitors each year, inspiring awe in all those who lay their eyes upon it.
The largest, oldest and the most important cathedral in the Moscow Kremlin is the Dormition Cathedral. An Italian architect named Aristotle Fioravanti (who was commissioned by Ivan III) designed and built the cathedral between 1474 and 1478. After its construction, the cathedral became the primary church of the Russian State and as a result, the site of coronations, victory services, weddings and funerals of Russian monarchs. The cathedral's frescoes and icons are of particular interest.
The golden-domed Annunciation Cathedral in the Kremlin was built in 1485-1489 by Russian architects. While the Cathedral itself housed private burial chapels for princes and tsars, the north and the west galleries were used as the main entrance to the imperial palace. The cathedral's galleries house an exhibition of 14th-16th century icons as well as unique frescos from the epoch of Ivan the Terrible. The cathedral is an excellent showcase of old Russian art.
Mayor Luzhkov was once considered a pretender to the Russian Presidency. He certainly does not lack the sense of civic grandeur with which previous Russian rulers have been blessed. This vast cathedral, whose golden domes sit atop a pale majestic hulk of marble and granite, was built at Luzhkov's bidding for the princely sum of USD150 million. The original was erected in commemoration of Russia's defeat over Napoleon, yet was demolished following Lenin's death in 1931 to make room for the Palace of Soviets. Due to World War II and constant flooding, the Palace of Soviets never materialized and its foundation was transformed into the world's largest swimming pool by Premier Kruschev. After nearly a decade of fund raising and controversial changes, the current reconstruction was opened in 2000, just in time for Moscow's 850th anniversary. Today the cathedral serves as a fitting symbol both of a reborn Russia and the dizzy pretensions to grandeur of modern Moscow. Admission is free.
This church was built in 1911, closed in 1937 and re-opened in 1996. One of only two neo-Gothic churches in Europe, this tall building underwent a very complicated restoration process as it had been completely re-shaped both inside and out while used successively as a place to store vegetables, a hostel and office space! The restoration took place in 1996-99 - the original design of architects Foma Bogdankevic and Ignatii Dauksza was used to make it look as it did before the Revolution. Services are held daily in Polish, English, Spanish, Russian.
Standing unfazed and unfettered through centuries and centuries, this entrancing monastic complex is touted to be one of the best of its kind in the whole of Russia. Accentuated by the gracefully-flowing waters of the Moskva river, the convent is enclosed within the sturdy defensive walls of Moscow Kremlin. Once closely-associated with the mighty Tsar lineage, this iconic ensemble has been duly inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site due to its history and unbridled legacy. Dating to as far back as the 16th-century, this majestic ensemble is home to many breathtaking monuments including the magnificent Smolensky Cathedral, with, which its gleaming gilded and silver domes, harbors paintings and frescoes which are considered to be one of the best in the whole of Moscow. Boasting a spatial, well laid-out expanse, the convent also greatly symbolizes the nuances of ancient Russian town-planning. Although having been besieged by the Bolsheviks during the Soviet regime, the complex stands today as a striking reminder of its foregone glory. A prized possession of southwestern Moscow, the convent also harbors a cemetery which enshrines the tombs of prestigious luminaries like writers Nikolai Gogol, Anton Chekhov, Mikhail Bulgakov, the poet Maiakovski, singer Chaliapin and composer Scriabin, along with the bizarre black-and-white headstone devoted to former Soviet leader Nikita Krushchev.