Next to Vladimir Lenin’s mausoleum, St. Basil’s Cathedral attracts 100,000 tourists per year who see it as quintessential symbol of Russia. Recently, Moscow celebrated the 464th anniversary since its opening.
St. Basil was known for his self-less acts of charity and his criticism of the despotic monarchy of Czar Ivan the Terrible for his oppressive policies that slayed tens of thousands.
The cathedral brightly adorns the Red Square with its characteristic colorful onion domes.
Due to the cathedral’s connection to the culture and history of Russia, the Soviet Union preserved, financed, and maintained the cathedral at the National Monument. Without this maintenance, the cathedral would have severely deteriorated.
Completed in 1561, the soaring structure with nine onion-shaped, multicolored domes fused the Russian traditions of wooden architecture with Byzantine and Islamic influences, showcasing the multinational heritage of the Slavic world.
With its historical stature and architectural beauty, it is no wonder St. Basil’s Cathedral is listed as an UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The Slavic American Editorial Board
Retrieved from the American Slav Congress – Saint Basil’s Cathedral – Perennial Symbol of Russia – American Slav Congress
