St. Basil's Cathedral in Red Square, Moscow.
The History of
St. Basil's Cathedral
The Cathedral of Saint Basil the Blessed, which dominates the southern end of Red square, is unquestionably the most arresting structure in Moscow. Its bulbous, polychrome cupolas, florid scrollwork, and riotously eclectic brickwork give Saint Basil the Blessed an aura of whimsicality that contrasts sharply with the dour austerity of the nearby Kremlin. Although persistent legend attributes the design of Saint Basil to an Italian, the cathedral was actually built by two native architects named Barmen and Posnik Iakolav.Its appearance is unmistakably Russian, reflecting the motifs common to the famed wooden churches of northern Russia.