Saint Basil's Cathedral

Saint Basil’s Cathedral stands on the southern end of Red Square in central Moscow and is one of Russia’s most recognisable churches, built between 1555 and 1561 on the orders of Ivan IV. The structure is commonly referred to as Saint Basil’s but its formal name is the Cathedral of the Intercession of the Most Holy Theotokos on the Moat.

The complex is distinguished by its cluster of nine onion domes and vividly painted façades; the building reaches roughly 47.5 metres at its highest point. The interior is a network of small chapels and narrow staircases that visitors can walk through to see restored iconography and church fittings.

Commissioned by Ivan IV (Ivan the Terrible) after the capture of Kazan, construction was completed in 1561 by architects traditionally named as Barma and Postnik Yakovlev. Over centuries the cathedral underwent repair and repainting; it was secularised and opened as a museum in the early 20th century.

The cathedral sits at the southeast corner of Red Square, directly opposite the Kremlin in central Moscow. It is in the historic heart of the city and is reached on foot from many central Moscow landmarks.

• Best viewpoints: Best external photos are taken from Red Square and the plaza in front of GUM, where the full silhouette of the domes is visible.
• Visitor access: Interior access is via a ticketed museum route; expect narrow staircases and small chambers that limit mobility for some visitors.

What to See #

• Chapel complex (nine chapels): Composed of nine individual chapels arranged around a central ninth chapel, the complex dates from 1555-1561 and is notable for its cluster of vividly painted onion domes and narrow interior staircases.
• Cathedral of the Intercession: The main church is officially the Cathedral of the Intercession of the Most Holy Theotokos on the Moat, built on the site of a wooden church and forming the core of the ensemble.
• Museum exhibition spaces: Housed as a museum since the early 20th century, the interior exhibits religious furnishings, icons and restored architectural details rather than large art collections.