Introduction
There are number of religions around the world. These religions have their places of worship and these places are symbols of their religions. The construction of these places shows the great attachment and respect of their followers or believers with the faith which they have. The followers of every religion try to build their worship places at their best around the world. The followers of Islam build beautiful mosques as their worship place. Temple is the holy place of the followers of Hinduism. The Christianity has churches to hold their religious worship, ceremonies and events. Christians around the world build beautiful churches and cathedrals. Among these holy places of Christianity, there is a very beautiful structure and masterpiece of architecture, The Saint Basil’s Cathedral.
History
St. Basil’s Cathedral is not a much older structure. Historically the place was a busy market place with the Trinity Church in its center. It was built between 1555 to 1561 by Ivan the Terrible. This church was built in the memory of successful military campaign of Ivan against the Tartar Mangols in 1552 in the nearby city of Kazan and Astrakhan. With the every victory a wooden church was built next to the walls of Trinity Church. At the end of the military campaign there were seven such wooden churches built. Then in 1554 Ivan ordered the construction of a new wooden church. In 1555 Ivan reordered the construction of a stone cathedral at the site of the trinity church.
This place has suffered very hard times in the history. Some legends say that Napoleon was so impressed with the beauty of the place that he wanted to take the cathedral back in Paris but it was not possible due to lack of technology. He ordered the army to destroy the cathedral. All the drama was set to destroy the cathedral but at the time of explosions mysterious rain showered.
Location and Structure
The Great St. Basil’s Cathedral is in Moscow, Russia. It is located in the famous Red Square of the Moscow. The beauty of the place and its masterpiece aspect can be imagined with the fact that the builder of the site was blinded to prevent the construction of such beautiful masterpieces again. The cathedral is rising in the sky in the shape of bonfire flame.
This beautiful place is an astonishing construction of red bricks. Red bricks enhance the beauty of the place. The architecture of this place has no analogues in Russian architecture. Not single building in Russia resembles with the cathedral. Infact church resembles with the architecture in Jerusalem. The church has uniqueness in many aspects. Its design is manifold, complexity is surprising, and it is up to the best expectations of everyone’s aesthetic sense. The structure of the church is based upon a single foundation and nine chapels standing. Originally there were eight chapels but the ninth was built on the grave of St. Basil. The eight chapels are around the ninth forming an eight edged star. Every chapel is topped with a dome in the shape of onion. The interior of the church is not as spectacular and beautiful as the exterior. The corridors which join different chapels are quite narrow. There is not adequate seating space for the worshipers. Interior decoration is in contrast with the exterior. The corridors are dimly lit and the walls are decorated with floral designs. The church has been declared world heritage site since 1990. It would be a great experience if you come out and visit the beautifully colourful St. Basil’s Cathedral.