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Russia has one of the most interesting histories
in the world, and till date preserves the ancient beauty
of the architecture from its past. Religion has been
intertwined with the culture of Moscow almost inseparably, and it is to this fact
that we can attribute the presence of beautiful churches,
cathedrals and monasteries in the city. |
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An inerasable imprint in your mind. |
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Moscow has a host of these architectural
gems, embellishing its cityscape.As a visitor
to the city, one must make it a point to visit
these sites, for their beauty is something that
legends are made of.
Borrowing from different cultures, the architecture
and design of these religious sites is a combination
of European, Byzantine, and Asian influences as
well as the traditional Russian design. The elaborate frescoes,
the deftly detailed reliefs, the breathtaking
figures and of course the golden hued onion domes
will leave an inerasable imprint in your mind. |
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St. Basil's Cathedral. |
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The most important Cathedral
in Moscow , St. Basil's turrets and cupolas
are a trademark image for Moscow. Built in the 16 th Century
by Ivan the Terrible, to celebrate the Russian victory over Kazan , defeating
the Tartar Mongols, this Cathedral is nestled
towards the south of Red Square in Moscow.
St. Basil's Cathedral is a visual delight,
with its multi-colored onion shaped domes
and turrets. The Cathedral consists of nine
chapels, built on a single foundation; one
chapel dedicated to each saint whose feast
day it was when the Tsar won over the Tartars.
It is said that the architect of St. Basil's
Cathedral, Postnik Yakovlev was blinded
after he completed the structure, lest he
build another one overriding the beauty
of St. Basil's Cathedral.
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Cathedral of Christ the Savior. |
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Situated on the banks of
the Moskva River, the Cathedral of Christ
the Savior's original building was destroyed
during Stalin's rule, however it was rebuilt
in the 1990's to commemorate the 850 th
birthday of Moscow. This Church is an Eastern
Orthodox Church, and is the largest of its
kind in the whole world.
The exterior of this church is done up
in white, with domes of gold crowning it.
The Cathedral was first commissioned by
Tsar Alexander I, to commemorate the Russian victory over Napoleon's troupes.
The Cathedral boasts of beautiful frescoes
and the brilliant architecture of Konstantin
Ton, the renowned architect of 19 th Century
Russia. |
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Kazan Cathedral. |
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A Cathedral with a
tumultuous history, Kazan Cathedral
was originally built on the orders
of Prince Dmitry Pozharsky to mark
the release of Moscow from the hands of Polish
invaders in the 17 th Century.
Built in the honor of Theokotos of
Kazan, the cathedral was destroyed
a number of times; first by fire,
then by later demolitions including
the last one ordered by Stalin. However
the Kazan Cathedral was consecrated
between years 1990-1993, and today
stands in the North Eastern Quarter
of Red Square in Moscow. |
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Novodevichy Convent &
Monastery. |
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One of the best known
cloisters in Moscow , the Novodevichy Convent
& Monastery was distinguished
as a UNESCO World Heritage site in
2004. The convent dates back to 16th
Century and has avoided suffering
demolition and destructions, unlike
other religious structures in Moscow.
Also known as the New Maidens Monastery
and the Bogoroditse-Smolensky Monastery,
the Convent was built as a fortress
on the banks of the Moskva River .
However, it later went on to become
a shelter for women running away from
the Tsars and the boyars. Also, the
Convent was used as a Necropolis,
and many a members of the Russian Royal family have been
buried here. The convent boasts of
some of the best frescoes designed
by many renowned Russian artists and painters.
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Andronikov Monastery. |
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Also known as St.
Andronik Monastery, it is located
on the banks of the Yauza River and
served as a residence of the male
monks in the olden times.
Built in the year 1357 by Metropolitan
Alexis to show his gratitude to the
heavens for being saved from death
in a storm, this monastery has the
oldest existing cathedral in Moscow. This is also the monastery
where the renowned Russian painter Andrei Rublev
of medieval times lived in the last
years of his life. |
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Danilov Monastery. |
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The headquarters of
the Russian Orthodox Church since
1983, this monastery was built in
the 13 th Century by Prince Danill
Moskovosky . The Danilov Monastery
is situated on the banks of the River
Moskva, and was a male monastery.
In the late 19 th Century, a number
of Russian luminaries including
Nikolai Gogol, Vasili Perov and Nikolai
Yazykov were buried at the monastery.
The bells of the Danilov Monastery
can be found till date at Harvard's
Lowell House, donated by American
industrialist Charles R. Crane.
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Cathedral of the Annunciation. |
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Built in the 15 th
Century, the Annunciation Cathedral
is a part of the Kremlin. This white
and gold structure was used by the
Tsars and their families, and displays
designs influenced by the Italian
Renaissance. The Cathedral is rich
in murals, gold foil work and fretwork.
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Church of Intercession
at Fili. |
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Built in between
1693-1694, Church of Intercession
at Fili is a beautiful church
ordered to be built by Prince
Lev Naryshkin. Located in the
village of Fili on the banks
of the Moskva River , this church
displays Baroque architecture
and was built in the shape of
a Greek cross. The interestingly
tiered building displays some
beautiful stone carvings as
well as the characteristic onion
shaped dome in gold. |
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Nativity Church
in Putinky. |
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The last tent-structured
church to be built in Russia , the Nativity
Church of Theokotos in Putinky
is a charming structure. The
church structure consists of
six tent roofs, and was ordered
to be built by Tsar Alexis Mikhailovich
in the 17 th Century. The blue
and white domes of the church
add to its charm, and it is
said that the unusual design
of the church impressed the
French architect Eugene Viollet
le-Duc that he termed its design
as "Russian Gothic". |
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Simonov Monastery. |
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Founded by
the monk Fyodor in 1370, Fyodor
Monastery was considered to
be the richest in Moscow in the 15 th Century.
The high walls of the Monastery
resisted attacks many a times,
and earned the name " Moscow 's Sentinel". However,
this Sentinel could not defend
itself from the attacks of the
Bolsheviks, who razed the monastery
to the ground to start an automobile
factory.
All that remains of this monastery
today are three canon-like towers
and some buildings of Naryshkin
baroque style. It is said that
the Moscow government has
ordered the reconstruction of
the Simonov Monastery, and it
shouldn't be long before people
can see this Sentinel back in
its daunting glory.
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