to the whole world the most famous "card" Russia is the Kremlin, Red Square and St. Basil's Cathedral in Moscow.The latter has also other names, the most popular of which is the Cathedral of the Intercession on the Moat.
General
St. Basil's Cathedral celebrated its 450th anniversary 02.07.2011 This unique structure was erected on the Red Square.Amazing in its beauty temple is a whole complex of churches, united by a common base.Even those who know nothing about the architecture of Russia, will recognize the Church of St. Basil.The cathedral has a unique feature - all of its colorful domes are different from each other.
In the main (Intercession) of the church is the iconostasis, which was moved from the destroyed in 1770 the Kremlin Church Chernigov miracle workers.In the basement of the Church of the Intercession of the Mother of God are the most valuable icons of the cathedral, the most ancient of them - an icon of St. Basil's (XVI century.), Written specifically for this church.Immediately on display icons of the XVII century .: Our Lady of the Sign and the Intercession of the Theotokos.First copy the image, located on the east side of the facade of the church.
The history of the temple
St. Basil's Cathedral, the history of the construction of which has acquired a number of myths and legends, built by the first king of Russia Ivan the Terrible.It was dedicated to the important event - namely, the victory over the Kazan Khanate.Unfortunately historians, the names of architects who created this incomparable masterpiece, not survived.There are many versions as to who worked on the construction of the temple, but significantly never established who created the St. Basil's Cathedral.Moscow was the main city of Russia, so the king gathered the best artists in the capital.According to one tradition was the main architect of the Pskov Faster Yakovlev nicknamed Barma.Another version completely contradicts this.Many believe that the bartender and Faster - different masters.Even more confusion arises from the third version, which says that St. Basil's Cathedral in Moscow, was built by Italian architect.But the most popular legend about this temple is the one which refers to the blindness of architects who created this masterpiece, that they could not repeat his creation.
origin of the name
Amazingly, despite the fact that the main church of the temple was dedicated to the Holy Virgin, in the world it is known as St. Basil's Cathedral.Moscow has always been a lot of fools (blessed "people of God"), but the name of one of them forever imprinted in the history of Russia.Mad Basil lived in the street and even in the winter went shirtless.Moreover, all his body was enveloped chains, which is an iron chain with large crosses.This man is highly respected in Moscow.Even the king treated him with uncharacteristic reverence.Basil revered citizens as a miracle worker.He died in 1552, and in 1588 his grave was erected the church.It is this structure has given the common name for this temple.
St. Basil's Cathedral (description)
Almost everyone who visits Moscow know that Russia is the main symbol of the Red Square.St. Basil's Cathedral is one of the most honorable places in the whole complex of buildings and monuments that are on it.The temple is crowned with 10 magnificent domes.Around the core (main) Church of the Intercession of the Virgin called symmetrically located 8 others.They are constructed in the form of eight-pointed star.All these churches symbolize attributable to the days of the taking of Kazan Khanate religious holidays.
domes of St. Basil's Cathedral and belfry
Eight churches crowned with bulbous 8 chapters.The main (central) structure is completed, "tent", above which rises a little, "cupola".Tenth dome was built over the church bell tower.What is striking is that all of the dome of the temple is completely different from each other by their texture and color.
modern temple bell tower was built on the site of the old belfry, which fully came into disrepair in the XVII century.It was erected in 1680 at the base of the bell tower is the highest massive quadrangle, which built the octagon.It has an outdoor area enclosed by 8 pillars.All are interconnected arched spans.The top area crowned by a high octagonal tent, the edges of which are decorated with tiles of different colors (white, blue, yellow, brown).Faces covered his curly green tiles.At the top of the tent is bulbous head, crowned with an octagonal cross.Inside the grounds on wooden beams hanging bells, which were cast back in the XVII-XIX centuries.
Architectural features
Nine churches St. Basil's Cathedral are interconnected by a common base and a gallery.Its feature is a bizarre painting, the main motive of which are floral designs.The unique style of temple combines the traditions of both European and Russian architecture of the Renaissance.A distinctive feature of the cathedral are also arched openings.The height of the temple (to the highest dome) is 65 m. The name of the Church Council: Nicholas, Trinity, martyrs Adrian and Natalia, the entrance to Jerusalem, John the Merciful, Varlaam Khutynsky, Alexander Svirsky, Gregory the Armenian, the Protection of the Mother of God.
Another feature of the temple is that it has no basement.He is extremely strong basement walls (reach a thickness of 3 m).The height of each of the rooms is about 6.5 m. The whole structure north of the temple is unique because long Korobov vault basement has no supporting pillars.Walls of building "cut" so-called "air holes" which are narrow openings.They provide a special microclimate in the church.Years basement premises were not available to parishioners.Nishi-caches used as storage and closed doors, the presence of which is now only show on the walls of the loop.It is believed that prior to the end of XVI.they kept the royal coffers.
gradual transformation of the Council
Only at the end of the XVI century.over the temple were shaped head that replaced the original ceiling, burned in another fire.This orthodox cathedral to the XVII century.It called Trinity, since the very first wooden church, which was located on the site, was built in honor of the Holy Trinity.Originally, this building was more rigorous and discreet appearance, because it was built of stone and brick.Only in the XVII century.All domes were decorated with ceramic tiles.At the same time to the temple were added asymmetrical construction.Then came the tents over porches and intricate paintings of walls and ceilings.In the same period, on the walls and ceiling painting appeared graceful.In 1931, before the temple was erected a monument to Minin and Pozharsky.Today, St. Basil's Cathedral is a joint responsibility of the Russian Orthodox Church and the Historical Museum in Moscow.This building is a cultural heritage of Russia.The beauty and uniqueness of this temple and appreciated throughout the world.St. Basil's Cathedral in Moscow attributed to the UNESCO World Heritage Site.
value of the Pokrovsky Cathedral in the USSR
Despite the persecution of Soviet power against the religion and the destruction of a huge number of churches, St. Basil's Cathedral in Moscow in 1918 was placed under state protection as a cultural monument of world importance.At this time, all the authorities' efforts were aimed at creating a museum in it.The first was the caretaker of the temple Archpriest John Kuznetsov.It was he who practically took care of their own repair the building, but his condition was simply awful.In 1923, at the Cathedral located Historical and Architectural Museum "Pokrovsky Cathedral".Already in 1928 he became one of the branches of the State Historical Museum.In 1929, he was acquitted of all the bells and worship were banned.Despite the fact that the temple for nearly a hundred years continuously restored, his exhibition was closed only once - during the Great Patriotic War.
St. Basil's Cathedral in the 1991-2014 biennium.
After the collapse of the Soviet Union St. Basil moved to the shared use of the Russian Orthodox Church and the State Historical Museum.On 15.08.1997, in the church were resumed holidays and Sunday services.Since 2011, open to the public previously inaccessible chapels, where new exhibitions are arranged.
