Cathedral of Christ the Saviour

Moscow, Russia

One of the most imposing and controversial buildings in Russia, the resurrected Cathedral of Christ the Saviour has had a short but turbulent history. It was originally commissioned after the defeat of Napoleon, but work did not begin on its construction until 1839. Designed by the great St. Petersburg architect Konstantin Ton, who was also responsible for the Grand Kremlin Palace and the Kremlin Armoury and whose church designs pioneered the Byzantine-revival style, the cathedral was erected, for maximum effect, on the embankment only a few minutes' walk from the Kremlin. Sadly, this entailed the destruction of the medieval Alekseevskiy Convent, a course of events which lends an intriguing irony to the cathedral's own fate.

The enormous - and extremely expensive - cathedral was eventually consecrated in 1883, and its vast copper domes dominated the Moscow skyline. However, the cathedral had taken almost as much time to build and to decorate as it would remain standing in its original incarnation. For fairly obvious reasons, it was singled out by the Soviet government for destruction and, in 1931, blown to pieces to make way for a proposed Palace of Soviets, one of the most influential pieces of architecture never to be built. The design approved by Stalin would have stood over 400 meters high, with a vast statue of Lenin at its peak, and, although it was never built, the blueprint was nonetheless the forefather of the Seven Sisters, the magnificent Stalinist skyscrapers that lower over central Moscow. Only the foundations had been laid when the Second World War brought an abrupt end to such an ambitious project, and Stalin's successor, Nikita Khruschev, had no stomach for such grandiose displays of hubris. The project was abandoned, and the site turned over to become an open-air swimming pool, the largest in the world, which was kept at a temperature of 27°C all year round. The result was a thick covering of fog that shrouded a number of gruesome deaths (and murders) among the swimmers.

The symbolic significance of the site was reaffirmed after the fall of the Soviet Union, when ambitious Moscow Mayor Yuri Luzhkov joined forces with the Orthodox Church to resurrect the cathedral in a $360-million reconstruction project. Completed in 2000, the new cathedral is loosely based on Ton's original designs, but constructed with modern building materials and fitted out with all mod-cons including air conditioning, telecommunications facilities, elevators and underground parking. Visitors can only see the cathedral as part of an organized tour, one of the highlights of which is the panoramic view from the 40-meter-high observation platform.

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Founded: 1839-1883
Category: Religious sites in Russia

Rating

4.7/5 (based on Google user reviews)

User Reviews

pranav pillai (18 months ago)
The Cathedral of Christ the Saviour is a stunning and iconic landmark in Moscow, Russia. Here are some pros and cons of visiting the cathedral: Pros: Beautiful Architecture: The Cathedral of Christ the Saviour is an impressive example of Russian Orthodox architecture, with its large dome and intricate details. The cathedral is also beautifully lit up at night, making it a popular spot for photography. Rich History: The cathedral has a rich history, having been originally built in the 19th century, destroyed during the Soviet era, and rebuilt in the 1990s. It is an important symbol of Russia's religious and cultural heritage. Cultural Significance: The cathedral is a functioning Russian Orthodox Church and a popular site for religious pilgrimages. It also houses an impressive collection of religious art and artifacts. Spectacular Views: Visitors can climb to the top of the cathedral's bell tower for spectacular views of Moscow, including the Kremlin and the Moskva River. Cons: Crowded: The Cathedral of Christ the Saviour is a popular tourist attraction and can get quite crowded, especially during peak tourist season. Limited Access: Certain areas of the cathedral may be off-limits to visitors, and photography may be prohibited in some areas. Long Lines: Visitors may have to wait in long lines to enter the cathedral or climb the bell tower, especially during peak hours. Overall, the Cathedral of Christ the Saviour is a must-visit attraction in Moscow. Its beautiful architecture, rich history, and cultural significance make it an important landmark in the city. While the crowds and long lines can be a drawback, the opportunity to experience this iconic cathedral and its breathtaking views of Moscow is well worth it.
Sin Fong Chan (3 years ago)
Cathedral of Christ the Saviour in Moscow Visited on 5/10/2019 The Cathedral of Christ the Saviour is a Russian Orthodox cathedral in Moscow, on the northern bank of the Moskva River. It is a few hundred metres southwest of the Kremlin. It is the highest representative of the Russian Orthodox Church, and is the seat of the Orthodox Patriarch of Moscow and all the Russians. The original church, took more than 40 years to build. It was destroyed in 1931 on the order of Joseph Stalin, leader of Soviet Russia of that time. The present church was rebuilt on the site between 1995 and 2000. The building can be described as having a stone facade and white marble, with four columns, as well as its five golden domes. Visitors are not allowed supposedly to take photos inside the cathedral. The giant dome of the cathedral was gilded. Jehovah Sabaoth disguised as a starets is displayed in the middle of the dome, who is holding the Charter. Dress code must be observed if one decides to enter the cathedral. Women should cover the head and shoulders and avoid provocative clothes; men should wear full-length trousers.
Florian Lemke (3 years ago)
This church has an amazing view point in the heart of Moscow. You will be able to get up by elevator and go down by stairs. This place is not recommended if you are in a wheelchair. Even though they bring you up with an elevator there are more steps to climb.
Harry Morgan (3 years ago)
The beautiful Cathedral of Christ the Saviour is in central Moscow close to the Moskva river it has an excellent viewing platform accessible by elevator which gives you excellent views of the Moscow skyline from the Cathedral roof terrace. The interior of the Cathedral is outstanding with awe-inspiring architecture. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐?
Masha Pavlović (3 years ago)
Beautiful inside and outside, also has a beautiful view from the top. It is free to enter and look aroud, but it is forbidden to take pictures! At the top there are 4 terraces where you can see the whole city ( for this you would have to buy tickets but they are cheap). To enter an Orthodox church there is a dress code so be respectful ( no shorts, no opet shoulder shirts, women tend to cover ther heads...)
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