Pictures of Russia

Travel to Russia with
Your Personal Guide & Driver in Moscow Arthur Lookyanov!

Getting dark over St. Basil

Getting dark over St. Basil

Here is the photo of the famous St. Basil Cathedral, wich was built on the Red Square in the middle of 16th century. I would like to tell you here a part of it's history after October Revolution 1917.

In 1918 the communist authorities shot the archpriest Ioann Vostorgov, who was the cathedral's senior priest, confiscated its property, melted down all its bells, and closed the cathedral down. They did the same with many churches and convents in Russia. and a lot of churches and convents, monasteries was destroyed before WWII, but fortunately this famous cathedral survived by providence. In the 1930s Lazar Kaganovich, Stalin's associate and director of the reconstruction plan, proposed that the cathedral should be knocked down to clear the area for public parades and vehicle movement on Red Square. It is said that he prepared a special model of Red Square in which the cathedral could be removed, and brought it to Stalin to show how the cathedral was an obstacle for marches and traffic. Then he said: 'But if we knock it down, like that!..' and with these words he jerked the cathedral out of the square. Stalin looked, thought for a bit and then pronounced the immortal words: 'Lazar! Put it back!'

During WWII, to consolidate all power of the big state Stalin promised to all people (nations in USSR), if we can win this terrible war I'll give more freedom to the Russian Orthodox church and even start to restore and open convents and churches. He kept his word and from the end of 40s - beginning of 50s they stared to restore and open the churches for public. Some churches as like St. Basil, churches inside the Kremlin they made as museums opened for public. St. Basil's cathedral nowadays isn't active church, it is museum with price for the tickets for foreigners about 3,5 USD.

«View from hotel Ukraine | random picture | Bridge over the frozen river»


Random customer's Responses & Recommendations.
Please visit web site russia travel guide.

Greg White
Email: By Request
From: Portland, Oregon, USA
Date: 2008-08-26 22:27:50

I was only in Moscow for about 11 hours. Arthur met me at the airport and had my time planned to the minute. We first went to Red Square to see the changing of the guard which only occurs on Saturdays. From that we toured Red Square. Arthur's in depth knolwedge of Russian history is outstanding. He constently provided facts regarding Russian history and culture which increased the experience in Moscow tremedously. Arthur's professionalism, knowledge, personalism, and command of the English language is amazing. Moscow was a highlight of my trip due mostly to Arhtur. If (when) I return to Russia and Moscow Arthur will be first person I contact while planning my trip. Thanks Arthur for my great experience in Moscow!!





2006 — 2010 © Picture of Russia
Photographer: Arthur Lookyanov | Web Design: Miracle Design