Probably the best known of all of Russia's Orthodox churches is Saint Basil's in Red Square. But while that is the name we all call it, the official name is "The Cathedral of the Intercession of the Virgin by the Moat". Yeah, St. Basil's is much easier.
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The Cathedral was finished in 1560 and was ordered to be built by Ivan the Terrible. Speaking of terrible, Stalin had ordered it to be destroyed but the architect Baranovsky refused.
Monument to Minin and Pozharsky, completed in 1818.
Cathedral interiors follow:
Tolkien Bonus: B is for "the Balrog" of the Third Age. This demon caused the Dwarves to leave Khazad-dum after killing two of their kings. The Balrog was destroyed by Gandalf during the Third Age in the War of the Rings.
I've never seen photos of the inside of this cathedral before! From the outside, it almost looks theme park-ish, with how colorful and clean it is... I really want to see it in person some day!
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Out of Print, Fiction authors and their shorts
A-Z Blogging in April Participant
I do hope you get to see it. Unfortunately the darkness and angles make it hard to take pics inside any of the cathedrals, Plus, only cathedrals not used for regular masses allow for picture taking.
DeleteRussian architecture is exactly as I imagine fairyland palaces to be. Thank you for this tour through Russia. And I must repeat the comment I made about the angles you use while shooting your pictures. They make a huge difference to the final output.
ReplyDeleteThe angles are because of the immense size of everything and my camera. I used to haul around a camera with interchangeable lenses, but those days are long gone. Glad you like them.
DeleteWow, that's just amazing to look at! So many details!
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by. Glad you enjoyed the pics.
DeleteStunning. Imagine, Stalin wanted it destroyed.
ReplyDeleteRussians still seem to think highly of him. Go figure.
DeleteI've never been, much to my dismay, but I've always thought this ranked in the top ten of coolest buildings in the world. It looks like something out of Candy Land!
ReplyDeleteGood luck with the 2015 A to Z Challenge!
A to Z Co-Host S. L. Hennessy
http://pensuasion.blogspot.com
It took me 67 years to get there so you have plenty of time.
DeleteThank you for the gorgeous photos! A friend of mine with Russian heritage must see these (if she hasn't seen images already ~grin~). As an early retiree myself, I wish you well.
ReplyDeleteI retired at 62 and now folks are asking me to come back to work. Really? Got offered a job in Kroger's yesterday since they see me there so much, lol.
DeleteYou know, that's the first time I've ever seen pictures of this. It makes me think of Disney. And Aladdin. Visiting from the challenge. :)
ReplyDeleteSo much of Russian does look like a Disney park now that you mention it. Wait till you see some of the other places.
DeleteWonderful photos. Thank you for sharing your travels. Means I can imagine going-- without any of the graveling discomforts.. :-)
ReplyDeleteFound you om the challenge as I was fascinated by the title of your blog.
Annie
http://www.authorsupport.net
That should be traveling lol
DeleteThanks for stopping by. I never really imagined I would get there so am so glad I can share it with others.
DeleteHallo Denise,
ReplyDeleteI am also doing A-Z challenge so I want to say hallo to you from Sweden.
I'm so glad you show these beautiful ornaments of Russian architecture.
Not many people know about these.:((
Angelzuz
Thanks for stopping by. Sweden is on my bucket list, especially after reading 'the Girl with the Dragon Tattoo' trilogy. Had I planned better I would have gone there after visiting Estonia. :((
DeleteSt. Basil's is definitely easier - what I'm wondering is how you get from "The Cathedral of the Intercession of the Virgin by the Moat" to St Basil ..? :) I'm very glad it wasn't destroyed.
ReplyDeleteTasha
Tasha's Thinkings | Wittegen Press | FB3X (AC)
Basil the Blessed was buried on the site of the former Trinity Cathedral before this cathedral was built. Guess no one was thrilled with the new name.
DeleteBeautiful photography.
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by. BTW, checked your blog. My parents and grandparents kept chickens. They scared the dickens out of me with their constant pecking.
DeleteAbsolutely stunning! You're inciting my wanderlust, Denise...
ReplyDeleteYes, and when you tune into news in a foreign country you usually can't understand the language. But guess, what? CNN was on in Russia.
DeleteIt's an incredible building. Your photographs are amazing.
ReplyDeleteEileen @ In My Playroom (also doing the A to Z Challenge)
Thanks. I look forward to jumping over to your blog.
DeleteJust WOW! Great picture. I'd love to go there someday.
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by. I hope you make it there. It is so beautiful.
DeleteSo why is it called St. Basil's? What has he got to do with it? It is certainly a well know cathedral I am so glad the architect refused to destroy it. Iconic isn't it? Haven't seen your clip yet, will do later.
ReplyDeleteBasil the Blessed had been buried on the site with a former church on the spot. Guess the folks liked his name better than the one given the new cathedral.
DeleteSt Basil's is truly amazing - like some other people have said it just does not look real...
ReplyDeleteAmazing. And so many more amazing sites on this trip. Thanks for stopping by.
DeleteIt must be just amazing to visit. Even just looking at the pics I'm stunned.
ReplyDeleteA is for amazing. I was stunned by how incredibly beautiful this area is. Stay tuned. Thanks for stopping by.
DeleteStalin is evil! He was a psychopath simply put and That architect should be given a medal!(His name is the nickname my dad gave my brother and I use to this day). The cathedral is so beautiful and I have never seen any of the interior and it is simply breathtaking. It is on my bucket list
ReplyDeleteThe architect who defied him got sent to prison for five years. I am pretty sure no one in Russia is going to say anything bad about anybody. Our guide even insisted that Russia is not involved in the Ukraine.
DeleteOh and that scene with the Balrog took my breath away when I saw it on the big screen
ReplyDeleteWonderful photos. I'm enjoying our tour of Moscow!
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Tomorrow I am in the suburbs of Saint Petersburg. Come on along.
DeleteAmazing pictures! I am visiting from A to Z and I am definitely going to put your blog on my list of "must-reads!"
ReplyDeleteJetgirl visiting via Forty, c'est Fantastique
It's a fantastic building. The saga says the Ivan the Terrible blinded the architect when the church was finished, to make sure he couldn't make a similar church for other emperors. Baranovsky must have been very brave. Not many people dared (nor survived) to challenging Stalin's will.
ReplyDeleteCold As Heaven
Good old Ivan. He must have inspired Stalin. Baranovsky only had to spend five years in prison.
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