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St. Basil's Cathedral facts for kids

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Cathedral of the Protection of Most Holy Theotokos on the Moat
Собор Покрова Пресвятой Богородицы, что на Рву (Russian)
Saint Basil's Cathedral, Moscow, Russia
Saint Basil's Cathedral as viewed from Red Square
Religion
Affiliation Russian Orthodox
Ecclesiastical or organizational status State Historical Museum with occasional church services since 1991
Year consecrated 12 July 1561 (1561-07-12)
Status Active
Location
Location Red Square, Moscow, Russia
Architecture
Architect(s) Barma and Postnik Yakovlev
Architectural type Church
Groundbreaking 1555 (1555)
Specifications
Height (max) 47.5 metres (156 ft)
Dome(s) 10
Dome height (inner) ff
Spire(s) 2
Official name: Kremlin and Red Square, Moscow
Type Cultural
Criteria i, ii, iv, vi
Designated 1990
Reference no. 545
State Party Russia
Region Europe and North America
Session 14th
Website

St Basils Cathedral-500px
St. Basil's Cathedral

St. Basil's Cathedral, also known as the Cathedral of Intercession, is a very famous cathedral in Moscow, Russia was commissioned by Ivan IV (Ivan the Terrible), for Saint Basil the Blessed. It is in the area called Red Square. It was built in 1555-1560.

The cathedral is very magnificent. It has 8 distinctive onion-shaped towers. The building itself is made up of separate chapels. There is a ninth spire in the middle, forming an eight-point star. The Cathedral should not be mistaken for the Moscow Kremlin.

The cathedral has escaped destruction many times. Napoleon Bonaparte decided to take it to Paris, but such an undertaking would have been impossible. Instead, he ordered it to be demolished. Explosives were lit, but torrential rain suddenly started, extinguishing the fuses. Joseph Stalin also ordered it to be destroyed, since it interfered with parades. However, his architect stood on the stairs and demanded that he leave the cathedral, or he would slit his own throat then and there. Miraculously, Stalin agreed. The city of Moscow also caught fire numerous times, and the cathedral wasn't spared. Even so, it still stands to this very day.

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See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Catedral de San Basilio para niños

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