Mother of God on the Moat: St. Basil’s Cathedral

Buildings you recognize by sight but don’t know the official name of. If there were a competition for such cases, this one might well win: the Pokrov, or Saint Basil’s Cathedral on Red Square in Moscow, consecrated in 1561. The Russian Orthodox church, now a museum, is officially known as the Cathedral of the Intercession of the Most Holy Theotokos on the Moat.

Ivan IV

The eyecatcher was built to commemorate the Siege of Kazan, on the orders of Ivan IV of Russia (1530-1584), better known as Ivan the Terrible. While the epithet may be an exaggerated translation of the Russian Грозный (Grozny, “formidable”), as a description of his deeds and character it is arguably mild.

Postnik Yakovlev

A masterpiece by architect Postnik Yakovlev (with Ivan Barma or Барма). Mission accomplished, job well done. According to the most famous legend, Ivan asked the architect if he could create an even more beautiful building. Yakovlev should probably have answered with a ‘no’, but who knows what would have been his fate in that case. His ‘yes’ got him blinded. to ensure that this work would never be surpassed. In other versions, the lights went out on Barma as well.

Basil the Blessed

Then there is Vasily (or Basil, Basilius), after whom the cathedral is named. Blessed Basil, Basil Fool for Christ, Wonderworker of Moscow, Basil the Blessed – quite the names for someone with ‘an eccentric lifestyle of shoplifting’ (Wikipedia). However, this Basil was a thief for the poor and the man who got away with scolding Ivan the Terrible (Russia Beyond, 2017). The lesson here might be: better to be a wandering thief than a top architect.

Animated biography in Про Василия Блаженного (About Saint Basil) Рассказ о жизни Василия Блаженного (Гора самоцветов, 2014, 13 min).

St. Basil’s Cathedral: a Masterpiece of Orthodox Architecture
(Slice, 2024, 25 min)

Famous Landmarks of Moscow I St. Basil’s Cathedral
(Firebird Tours, 2018, 11 min)

12th July 1561: The consecration of Saint Basil’s Cathedral in Moscow
(History Pod, 2017, 2 min)

Interesting facts about Russia in slow Russian – Basil
(Real Russian Club, 2016, 5 min)

The Tragic Story Behind St. Basil’s Cathedral
(Seth Adam Smith, 2014, 3 min)

More St. Basil’s Cathedral

See

• Inside Visit Saint Basil’s Cathedral (World Traveler, 2019, 16 min)
• Tales of Old Russia: Stories of Saint Basil’s Cathedral (Channel Legendarium, 2019, 9 min)
• St. Basil’s Cathedral – History and Origin (History & Origin, 2017, 4 min)
• Moscow Guide – St. Basil’s Cathedral (Express to Russia, 2013, 3 min)
• Saint Basil’s Cathedral in Moscow. “Real Russia” ep.28 (Sergey Baklykov, 2013, 14 min)

There’s also a version in Lego (The Brickman, 2016, 2 min) and a drawing lesson (Ashley Cassens, 2020, 9 min).

See/read

• The mysterious origins of Moscow’s multicolored landmark (CNN, 2020)
• 12 Facts About Saint Basil’s Cathedral (Mental Floss, 2016)
• St Basil’s Cathedral (Lonely Planet)
• Saint Basil the Blessed (Britannica)
• St Basil’s Cathedral (Bridge to Moscow)
• 7 интересных фактов о храме Василия Блаженного (Culture.ru)

Closing song, ascending: Inside St. Basil’s Cathedral in Moscow’s Red Square
(Museum Secrets, 2016, 2 min)

(more singing here)

Last updated March 13, 2026