St. . basil's cathedral

Made by: Olivia

Why was this landmark built?

The spectacular St. Basil's Cathedral in Moscow was commissioned by Ivan the Terrible in the 16th century to commemorate a military victory. It is easily the most famous sight on Red Square.

Where was this landmark built?

The Cathedral of Vasily the Blessed, commonly known as Saint Basil's Cathedral, is a former church in Red Square in Moscow, Russia

Do you have to pay a fee to go to the St. Basil's Cathedral? 

Yes, you do have to pay to get into the St. Basil's Cathedral it is 15 dollars for adults and 5 dollars for children!

Little facts about the St. Basil's Cathedral

St Basil’s Cathedral’s full title is the Cathedral of the Protection of Most Holy Theotokos on the Moat

The church is situation on Moscow’s Red Square, and was built between 1555 and 1561

Ivan the Terrible commissioned the building of the cathedral to commemorate the capture of the Tartar stronghold of Kazan

The ‘holy fool’ Basil the Blessed, who Ivan the Terrible was a big fan of, is the reason why the church is nicknamed St Basil’s Cathedral

During the 1970s a wooden spiral staircase was discovered within one of the walls while restoration on the church was being carried out

Little facts about the St. Basil's Cathedral

When it was built St Basil’s exterior walls and domes were not as colourful as they are today. This colour and detail was added 200 years after construction

Since 1990 the church has been part of the Moscow Kremlin and Red Square UNESCO World Heritage Site

Due to its proximity to the Kremlin, also on Red Square, it is often mistaken for the historic fortified complex

During Stalin’s reign there was talk of demolishing St Basil’s as it got in the way of his plans for mass parades on Red Square