When you think of Moscow, what is the first thing that comes to your mind? Probably the Red Square and the astonishing cathedral, right?
Saint Basil Cathedral’s full name is the Cathedral of the Protection of Most Holy Theotokos on the Moat. But we’re going to stick to just Saint Basil. Here are 7 fun facts about the ice-cream-looking building.
1. It was built in the 16th century, from 1555 to 1561, to commemorate Ivan the Terrible’s conquest of Kazan and Astrakhan.
2. The builders of Saint Basil’s cathedral were blinded so that “a structure so beautiful could never be built again.” Or so the legend says.
3. It consists of 9 chapels built on a single foundation.
4. The remains of Saint Basil the Blessed lie in a silver casket.
5. In the 1970s, a secret wooden spiral staircase was discovered within one of the walls.
6. There was talk about demolishing the cathedral because it hindered Stalin’s plans for mass parades in the Red Square.
7. In 1929, all the bronze bells were removed and melted down, except one. And according to bell ringer Alexei Konovalov, it has preserved the sound of the 16th century.