The Cathedral of the Protection of Most Holy Theotokos on the Moat is a Russian Orthodox church erected on the Red Square in Moscow in 1555–61. Built on the order of Ivan the Terrible to commemorate the capture of Kazan and Astrakhan, it marks the geometric center of the city and the hub of its growth since the 14th century.It was the tallest building in Moscow until the completion of the Ivan the Great Bell Tower in 1600.
The original building, known as "Trinity Church" and later "Trinity Cathedral", contained eight side churches arranged around the ninth, central church of Intercession; the tenth church was erected in 1588 over the grave of venerated local saint Vasily (Basil). In the 16th and the 17th centuries the church, perceived as the earthly symbol of the Heavenly City,was popularly known as the "Jerusalem" and served as an allegory of the Jerusalem Temple in the annual Palm Sunday parade attended by the Patriarch of Moscow and the tsar.
The building's design, shaped as a flame of a bonfire rising into the sky, has no analogues in Russian architecture: "It is like no other Russian building. Nothing similar can be found in the entire millennium of Byzantine tradition from the fifth to fifteenth century a strangeness that astonishes by its unexpectedness, complexity and dazzling interleaving of the manifold details of its design." The cathedral foreshadowed the climax of Russian national architecture in the 17th century.
A victim of state atheism, the church was stolen from the Russian Orthodox community as part of the Soviet Unions anti-theist campaigns and has operated as a division of the State Historical Museum since 1928. It was completely and forcefully secularized in 1929 and, as of 2011, remains a federal property of the Russian Federation. The church has been part of the Moscow Kremlin and Red Square UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1990.
It is often mislabelled as the Kremlin owing to its location on Red Square in immediate proximity of the Kremlin.
Kremlin is undoubtedly the heart of the biggest nation in the world Russia it is a cultural refuge of a nation that has had a long history of blood shed and sufferings under despotic emperors as well as autocratic political figures. Kremlin a fortified complex of 68 acres covered by a wall 2235 meters long and a height of 5 to 19 meters! Churches, armories and palaces all with a long and rich history of their own scramble here to find their place.
So unique!
Kremlin Palace interior image courtsey: geocities.com
From the beginning of the 12th century Kremlin has been the nerve center of Russia, with a brief spell when Peter the Great shifted his capital to Peter's burg alone Kremlin was deprived of that status. When Russia emerged as the capital of world's communism, Kremlin had the role of managing that ideology world wide!
Peter the great image courtsey: wikipedia.org
In its centuries old history it has witnessed numerous often horrific dramas in the corridors of power; either religious or political.
Interior Kremlin Palace image courtsey: geocities.com
Despite the horrendous course of history Kremlin had to undergo its towers remain as a feast to the eye of onlookers, because they are such works of art; so unique and unparalleled.
A Phoenix.
The Grand Kremlin Palace image courtsey: newsimg.bbc.co.uk
Kremlin is the official residence of the president of Russia; it was Peter Metropolitan of Rus who moved the seat from Kiev to Moscow. had been destroyed several times but it always woke up from the ashes as fresh and beautiful maiden in her teens.
The complex existed even before it came to be known as Kremlin (former name was Grad, name Kremlin from 1331), the first to do extensive beautification and considerable extension works was Dolgorukiy in 1156. The ‘credit' destroying Kremlin first goes to the Mongols on 1237, but got it rebuilt in 1339.
Ivan the Great.
1462 -1505 was the golden times Ivan the Great on the helm Kremlin rose to the nerve center of whole Russia. Ivan defiantly tore off the binding agreement with Mongolia and declared it free to look after its own affairs. It was Ivan who rebuilt the unique cathedrals, and palaces and armories in the fortress. He brought skilled architects from Italy for the purpose Pierto Antonio Solari and Marco Rufo were prominent among them. Kremlin remained in this glory until Peter the Great shifted the capital to Petersburg.
Napoleon Blown apart.
Napolean Bonaparte image courtsey: tripod.com
The French army under Napoleon invaded and occupied Kremlin for a period (September 2nd to October 11th). At the time of his retreat Napoleon ordered to blow up the entire structure; and Kremlin burned for three days (21 -23 October) finally a timely rain put out the fire. Several towers and valuable archives were lost in this ghastly incident. As usual this damage was also repaired under architect Osip Bave during the period of Alexander 1. Kremlin emerged in a more beautiful shape in its neo gothic stylIt was built by Peter the Great, for the storage of weapons it gradually gained the status of a repository of the exquisite materials of the royal palace. With the retreat of Napoleon it served as an exhibition hall for the weapons captured for the Napoleon's army (Grande Armee). The real weapons shifted to Peter's burg had been returned to here on 1851. The armory has one of the richest holding of very valuable as well as the rarest materials on earth like the Orlov diamond that weighs 190 carats.
This is a modern building built by Khrushchev former Soviet premier in 1961. This has an auditorium with a seating capacity of 6000 and serves for the congresses of Communist Party held annually.With the retreat of Napoleon it served as an exhibition hall for the weapons captured for the Napoleon's army (Grande Armee). The real weapons shifted to Peter's burg had been returned to here on 1851. The armory has one of the richest holding of very valuable as well as the rarest materials on earth like the Orlov diamond that weighs 190 carats Monumental bas relief (sculptures partly projecting out of walls....
The big public space constructed by Ivan the Great; it is the representative of the Tsarist regime. Nobilities of that time used to assemble here and high profile ceremonies like coronation etc used to be held her..
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Seldom there is a time when a particular destination grabs my attention and makes me sit up and take notice. A subtle mixture of the past meeting the present; while displaying it in a way that captures both the thrill and the suspense of what is awaiting you around the each and every corner.
My latest journey took me to Moscow; and although I did, subconsciously, relive the negative feelings that everyone in the US felt about the country back in the late 70's and 80's (I am old enough to remember, although young enough to make it to any meaningful sense of it) I was elated for the opportunity to explore and soak in the culture - of both the people and the country as a whole.
Moscow the capital and the largest city of the Russian Federation, is a city in which one comes face to face with all that is great and frustrating in Russia. The generous people of the city are as evident as the extreme tension of a city coming to terms with the un-assuredness of social change. More so in Moscow, then anywhere else in a country of 6.592 million square miles can one feel the Soviet of the past colliding with the capitalistic future.
My first encounter with Russia was the Metro - yes the Metro. I often enjoy public transportation, as it is a great way to truly look at a society in a whole; at there purest. I was on my way to Red Square, and I got a very small taste of what I was in for just by taking this mode of travel. Not only are the Metro stations clean; being from Boston I can certainly appreciate that, but elegant designs of lavish use of marble, mosaics and sculptures were at every stop. I asked another traveler who has been to Moscow quite a few times, and he filled me in that these stations were built during the rule of Stalin; and where to display the best of Russian architect. Metro stations in Moscow such as Mayakovskaya Station , the Novokusnetskaya Station , the Novoslobodskaya Station and the Kropotkinskaya Station are a must and are almost entirely clear of tourists.
Red Square is an enormous 400 by 150 meter and it really does epitomize everything that Moscow is and once was. Established in the 15th Century under the rule of Ivan III, Trinity Square as it was originally called was later named ‘Krasnaya Ploschad. The word ‘Krasnaya' originally meaning beautiful in old Russian became red in more modern times. Some common assumptions are that the ‘Red' in Red Square refers to Communism blood spill.
On its four sides stand the Kremlin, GUM Department Stores (which is becoming more akin to a Macy's), State Historical Museum & St. Basil's Cathedral which stands in the spot where the Trinity Cathedral - for which the Square was once named after, stood. Here you will also find Lenin's tomb here, a gleaming granite mausoleum to the revered founder of Socialism. A quick side note, however, that when Lenin's tomb is open, most of Red Square is blocked off.
Over the years, Red Square has acted like Moscow's equivalent to Rome's Forum - a meeting place for the people, called Muscovites, for celebrating religious festivals, public gatherings or Tsars' addresses; and even watching executions - various political dissidents were publically butchered here by Ivan the Terrible and Peter the Great.
I didn't want to pass up the opportunity to visit Lenin's Mausoleum. Its not often where you get a chance to see such an influential historical figure in the flesh - of course some cynics do claim that the embalmed body is in fact a wax work.
If there was one architectural symbol of Russia, and there are many, it would have to be St. Basil's Cathedral. The domes, cupolas, arches, towers and spires inspire everyone that sees it. A magnificent mix of Western and Eastern architecture, ‘The Cathedral of St. Basil the Blessed' is the most recognizable structure in Russia.
Taking up the entire East side of Red Square is where you can do most if not all of your shopping. Looking more like a palace then a shopping centre, GUM (pronounced goom) is the largest in Russia. I'm not much of a shopper, but as you enter into this complex, you are hit with its elegantly-decorated interior. A fountain is centrally located while three parallel arcades invite you to explore some designer shopping - and the glass ceiling is also an attention grabber.
The State Historical Museum was next. Constructed in the late 19th century, with its red brick walls and ornate cornices, the State Historical Museum is a great addition to Moscow's Red Square. All manner of treasures lie awaiting for that prospective explorer. You are led back through Russian history, with artifacts dating back to its Neanderthal beginnings. You can also check out a 5,000 year old long boat - and of course there is plenty of glitz and glamour of the 19th century Ruski royals and aristocrats. The whole experience here takes about 1-2 hours, but if you want to know Russia from beginning up through he Russian Revolution, it sure is well worth it - and if you're hungry, One Red Square Restaurant is housed here, where you can eat like a Tsar!
I saved one of the most anticipated stops on my journey for last; a chance to visit the seat of the Russian government, the Kremlin. Being of Russia's top tourist attraction is no lie, this place was filled with others that wanted to set foot inside where some of the most infamous leaders once held court. Ivan the Great, Ivan the Terrible, Stalin, Gorbachuev all held sway here - and they cast their marks in history inside of these walls.
Beginning back in the 1150s, the Kremlin began in a much smaller scale then it is now. As Moscow grew in wealth and power, so then did the modifications. Ivan the Great was responsible for the most ambitious modifications; and Italian architects were brought in to build new walls and a number of cathedrals - including the Cathedral of the Assumption during the period of 1475-1516. The architectural styles are a timeline between the 15th and 20th centuries.
A trip to Moscow was something that was truly one of those ‘once in a lifetime' experiences that you speak about with your friends. Although, with the surfacing of some great airfare deals, that once in a lifetime opportunity may be coming around a few more times.
There are places on earth which can't refer to one culture and one belief only. They are the indelible traces of human history, long, intricate and sometimes bloody. One of these is Hagia Sophia in Istanbul, Turkey – the building not only magnificent, but also exceptionally beautiful.
The story of this great building started, like it often happens, with the place where another ancient construction used to stand. This was the church built during the reign of Constantine the Great – that very Constantine who was the first of the Roman emperors to adopt Christianity. He transformed Byzantium into a new capital, which we now call Constantinople – the city of Constantine.
Not only did Constantine leave Rome – on the shores of the faraway Bosporus he started construction of a new Christian city. That is why even though its art had pagan, western routes, it was greatly influenced by the eastern, Christian principles. Already in V–VI AC the new cultural, artistic and architectural movement appeared, which was based on Christian dogmas. Moreover, the new constructions had oriental roots. For instance, the East was the motherland of a dome, which allowed new constructive and aesthetic opportunities. Characteristic of the Byzantine churches is the central cupola and deviation from classic forms of a basilica.
Hagia Sophia became a building of the kind. Emperor Justinian I invited famous specialists - Anthemius of Tralles and Isidore of Miletus, and thousands of workers. Building materials were brought from all around the great empire, sculptors and stonemasons from Efesus, Athens, Delphi and different Egyptian cities worked on the basilica, eight porphyritic columns were transported from the temple in Heliopolis.
That's true, creation of the new needed destruction of the old – several pagan temples were taken to pieces and ruined... Construction took only five years and cost “a pretty penny”. But mind that this was not just a church, but a symbol of the empire's might and the triumph of the new belief - Christianity. The result surpassed all expectations – December 27th , 537 the great Byzantine construction was revealed to people. Rather simple outside, Hagia Sophia impressed with its interior – even now, when little is left from its initial decoration.
The history of Hagia Sophia is dramatic – in 1453, almost 900 years after its construction, Constantinople was conquered by the Turks, sultan Mehmed II entered the building, but, luckily, it was not destroyed. Instead, the sultan ordered to convert it into a mosque. Images of the Christian saints were replaced with Islamic symbols, mihrab, minbar, four minarets and other constructions were added.
In the 20th century the mosque was converted into a museum. Thanks to this, the extant mosaics were cleaned, marble floor decorations were reconstructed and are now available to the public.
Get inside, and you will be impressed with marble works, gold mosaics, including the one depicting Christ and Emperor Leo VI the Wise, its huge hall, numerous windows... The magnificent building helps you forget about the heat and the fuss of the city streets. This is truly a temple of God's wisdom.
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