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Twilight tour of the tower of Winchester Cathedral

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Winchester Cathedral

Top choice in Winchester

One of southern England's most awe-inspiring buildings, 11th-century Winchester Cathedral boasts a fine Gothic facade, one of the longest medieval naves in Europe (164m), and a fascinating jumble of features from all eras. Other highlights include the intricately carved medieval choir stalls, which sport everything from mythical beasts to a mischievous green man, Jane Austen's grave (near the entrance) and one of the UK's finest illuminated manuscripts. The excellent Tower and Roof Tours get busy – book well ahead.

As the biggest, brightest and best surviving 12th-century English Bible, the dazzling, four-volume Winchester Bible has vivid illuminated pages. It was commissioned in 1160, possibly by the grandson of William the Conqueror. At the time of writing, long-term conservation work meant only one volume of the Bible was on display, in a temporary exhibition in the North Transept (open from 10am to 4pm Monday to Saturday). Check online for the latest.

Today's cathedral sits beside foundations that mark Winchester’s original 7th-century minster church. The cathedral was begun in 1070 and completed in 1093, and was subsequently entrusted with the bones of its patron saint, St Swithin (Bishop of Winchester from 852 to 862). He is best known for the proverb stating that if it rains on St Swithin's Day (15 July), it will rain for a further 40 days and 40 nights.

Soggy ground and poor construction spelled disaster for the early church. The original tower collapsed in 1107 and major restructuring continued until the mid-15th century. Look out for the monument at the far end of the building to diver William Walker; he saved the cathedral from collapse by delving repeatedly into its waterlogged underbelly from 1906 to 1912 to bolster rotting wooden foundations with vast quantities of concrete and brick. In the crypt, look out for Sound II, an enigmatic life-size depiction of a contemplative man by Anthony Gormley.

The highly informative, one-hour Cathedral Body Tours (10am to 3pm Monday to Saturday) and atmospheric Crypt Tours (10.30am, 12.30pm and 2.30pm Monday to Saturday) are included in the admission price for Winchester Cathedral.

Choral evensong (5.30pm Monday to Saturday, 3.30pm Sunday) is atmospheric; other Sunday services take place at 8am, 9.45am and 11am. Listen out, too, for the magnificent peal of bells at 8.45am and 2.30pm each Sunday.

The cathedral's tree-fringed lawns make for tranquil spots to take time out, especially on the quieter south side beyond the cloisters; the permanent secondhand book stall in the Deanery Porch provides great bargain hunting.

Get In Touch

01962-857200

https://www.winchester-cathedral.org.uk

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Guided tour of the tower and roof of Winchester Cathedral

Sat May 25 2024 at 02:15 pm to 03:45 pm

Winchester Cathedral | Winchester, EN

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Winchester Cathedral

Quick links

• Kings & Scribes: The Birth of a Nation
• Group visits

Nestled in the heart of Hampshire, one of Southern England’s most historic buildings, Winchester Cathedral boasts centuries of English heritage, magnificent architecture, priceless treasures and works of art. Once the seat of Anglo-Saxon and Norman royal power, this fascinating site has played host to Kings and Queens for centuries, including William the Conqueror, Mary Tudor and Prince Philip of Spain.

Steeped in history, one of the best ways to explore the Cathedral is with a trained Guide, who will be able to tell you all about its colourful past, including wonderful stories about the people associated with the Cathedral, such as William Walker, the diver who saved the Cathedral in the early 1900’s. As part of the tour, you will have the opportunity to discover the massive vaults of the Cathedral’s early Norman crypt, the ornate Renaissance chantry chapels, Jane Austen’s grave and the Great West Window. Frequent guided tours are available Monday to Saturday, from 10:00am – 3:00pm and are included in the admission fee (subject to availability).

All groups, large and small, are welcome. Winchester Cathedral can arrange general interest and themed guided tours, provide catering packages and assist with other aspects of planning, such as the length of visit, advice on travel and parking, and neighbouring sites of interest. A special rate of £10 per person applies for groups of 10 or more and includes entry and a standard Cathedral tour.

Visitors who are feeling adventurous can also climb the Cathedral Tower, which offers magnificent views across Winchester and the surrounding county. You will see the ringing chamber, the great Cathedral bells and walk the full length of the Nave roof with its huge wood beams. Visit the Winchester Cathedral website or phone the Box Office for more information (additional fees apply to Tower Tours, booking in advance is essential and a signed health and safety form is required).

A wide range of events take place throughout the year. From classical concerts, open-air theatre and family trails to art exhibitions, light installations and the Christmas Market, there is something for everyone to enjoy.

Evensong held at 5.30pm Monday – Saturday and 3.30pm Sunday.

Occasionally the Cathedral may need to close for special services and events. All temporary closures are listed in the Cathedral website.

Walking: From the VIC turn left and walk up the High Street shopping area. Take the 2nd turning left into Market St. The Cathedral is straight ahead with the Visitor Centre, (Shop, Refectory & Paul Woodhouse Suite) located opposite the cathedral on the right. The Cathedral is signposted from the city centre.

By train: Winchester is on the main line from London Waterloo with trains running several times an hour (journey time approximately 1 hour). It is also easily accessible by train from Bournemouth, Poole, Southampton, Basingstoke and Oxford. For information on train times and prices across the South Western Railway Network visit www.southwesternrailway.com For information on other train times and prices contact National Rail Enquiries on 08457 484950 or visit www.nationalrail.co.uk

By bus: For local bus services visit the Stagecoach website : https/www.stagecoachbus.com/

By road: Winchester is well connected to the motorway network and can be easily accessed from all directions. Located just off the M3 (Junctions 9, 10 & 11), it’s an easy journey by road from London (1.5 hours) and Southampton (20 minutes). Take the A34 from Newbury (35 minutes), Oxford (1 hour) and the A30 from Salisbury (40 minutes).

City car parks and Park & Ride: There is no parking within the Cathedral Close or the immediate vicinity. Winchester has a number of short-stay and long-stay car parks throughout the city. It has an excellent Park & Ride service, with three car parks easily accessible from the M3 motorway and only minutes away from the city centre. A frequent bus service operates from all Park & Ride car parks to all main areas of Winchester city centre. For further information about travel and parking in Winchester, visit Winchester City Council website .

Winchester Cathedral welcomes groups, large and small.

Taking a guided tour with one of the cathedral’s expert guides can make the visit all the more special so they encourage group organisers to make use of their guides where possible. Read more about group visits to Winchester Cathedral here .

• Foreign language leaflets available including Chinese
• Wheelchair access to Cathedral ground floor and upper ground floor via a chairlift
• Induction loop
• Touch and hearing facility
• Braille guide
• Sensory trail for pre-booked groups
• Disabled toilets
• Wheelchair access to the Visitors’ Centre

For more information relating to the Cathedral’s accessibility please click here.

Also on offer is ‘Kings and Scribes: The Birth of a Nation’, a spectacular three-level exhibition in the South Transept which takes visitors on an interactive journey, showcasing some of the nation’s greatest treasures. Highlights of this experience include the Winchester Bible, one of the UK’s finest illuminated manuscripts, the 17th-century Morley Library and the story of the Cathedral’s mortuary chests, believed to contain the remains of Saxon royalty.

There are four exciting galleries to explore – find out more here…

Adult – £13.50

Concession – £12.00

Student – £7.00

Children under 16 (with family) – Free

For details of services in the coming days, please go to the  specific service listings page.

Winchester Cathedral is open all year, though is occasionally closed to the public for special services and events. All temporary closures are listed in the  Cathedral  website.

Opening Times

On occasion, for special services and events, temporary closures or limited access are necessary. If you are making a special visit please do check our list of  temporary closures .

Cathedral Mon – Sat: 9am – 5pm Sun: 12pm-3pm

Mon-Sun: 9:30am–5pm

Mon-Sun: 9:30am-5pm

Kings & Scribes: The Birth of a Nation Mon – Sat: 10.30am – 4.30pm Sun: 12-3pm

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You are here: Things To Do > Winchester Cathedral

Winchester Cathedral

Type: cathedral / minister.

Tel: 01962857275

Nestled in the heart of Hampshire, one of Southern England's most historic buildings, Winchester Cathedral boasts centuries of English heritage, magnificent architecture, priceless treasures and works of art. Once the seat of Anglo-Saxon and Norman royal power, this fascinating site has played host to Kings and Queens for centuries, including William the Conqueror, Mary Tudor and Prince Philip of Spain. 

Steeped in history, one of the best ways to explore the Cathedral is with a trained Guide, who will be able to tell you all about its colourful past, including wonderful stories about the people associated with the Cathedral, such as William Walker, the diver who saved the Cathedral in the early 1900's. As part of the tour, you will have the opportunity to discover the massive vaults of the Cathedral’s early Norman crypt, the ornate Renaissance chantry chapels, Jane Austen's grave and the Great West Window. Frequent guided tours are available Monday to Saturday, from 10:00am – 3:00pm and are included in the admission fee (subject to availability). 

​​All groups, large and small, are welcome. Winchester Cathedral can arrange general interest and themed guided tours, provide catering packages and assist with other aspects of planning, such as the length of visit, advice on travel and parking, and neighbouring sites of interest. A special rate of £10 per person applies for groups of 10 or more and includes entry and a standard Cathedral tour.

Visitors who are feeling adventurous can also climb the Cathedral Tower, which offers magnificent views across Winchester and the surrounding county. You will see the ringing chamber, the great Cathedral bells and walk the full length of the Nave roof with its huge wood beams. Visit the Winchester Cathedral website or phone the Box Office for more information (additional fees apply to Tower Tours, booking in advance is essential and a signed health and safety form is required).

Also on offer is ‘Kings and Scribes: The Birth of a Nation’, a spectacular three-level exhibition in the South Transept which takes visitors on an interactive journey, showcasing some of the nation’s greatest treasures. Highlights of this experience include the Winchester Bible, one of the UK's finest illuminated manuscripts, the 17th-century Morley Library and the story of the Cathedral’s mortuary chests, believed to contain the remains of Saxon royalty.

A wide range of events take place throughout the year. From classical concerts, open-air theatre and family trails to art exhibitions, light installations and the Christmas Market, there is something for everyone to enjoy.

Book Tickets

Guide prices.

Free entry for children under 16 visiting with family. Ticket price includes unlimited return visits within 12 months. Free admission for Hudson Heritage Pass Holders. For Groups, the special rate per person is £11pp

Accessibility

• Disabled Parking
• Disabled persons toilet
• Guide Dogs Permitted
• Induction Loop System
• No dogs (Guide dogs accepted)
• Wheelchair user accessible
• Catering for groups
• Catering Provided
• On-Site cafe/restaurant
• Outdoor eating area
• Refreshments Available

Children & Infants

• Babes in Arms
• Baby changing
• Children’s packs
• Children's Meals
• Family Friendly, Children Welcome
• Highchair(s) available

Establishment Features

• All weather attraction
• Audio Tours
• Conference facilities
• Garden / Grounds for visitors use
• Groups by arrangement
• Groups welcome
• Guided tours
• Guided tours by arrangement
• Licensed for alcohol
• Licensed for weddings & ceremonies
• Marquee Space Available
• Meeting rooms
• Open all year round
• Open Christmas
• Open New Year
• Open on bank holidays
• Special Opening for Groups by Arrangement

Leisure Facilities

• Themed Nights

Parking & Transport

• Railway station within 5 miles
• Railway station within walking distance

Payment Methods

• MasterCard accepted
• Visa accepted

Printed Material in Foreign Languages

• Dutch printed material
• French printed material
• German printed material
• Italian printed material
• Japanese printed material
• Literature in Dutch
• Literature in French
• Literature in German
• Literature in Italian
• Literature in Japanese
• Literature in Spanish
• Spanish printed material
• Ukrainian printed material

Tours and Demonstrations

• Educational Visits Accepted

TripAdvisor

Map & directions.

Click here to view the map.

Road Directions

From the TIC turn left and walk up the High Street shopping area. Take the 2nd turning left into Market St. The Cathedral is straight ahead with the Visitor Centre, (Shop, Refectory & Paul Woodhouse Suite) located opposite the cathedral on the right.Signposted from the city centre.

Opening Times

* Occasionally times may vary for services and events so please visit the website if making a special visit. Services are held daily and all are welcome.

What's Nearby

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Vibrant. Ancient. Cultured.

Just one hour from London by train is Winchester.

England's ancient capital is full of history, culture and fun. Home to a cathedral, a university and the UK's oldest public school, it's also filled with vibrant shops, family attractions and fun activities for families.

As well as enjoying a trip to the Science Centre, here's what else you can do on your visit to Winchester. 

Winchester Cathedral

A trip to Winchester wouldn't be the same without visiting the magnificent Cathedral. Take a tour of the historic venue, climb the Cathedral Tower, discover the massive vaults and visit Jane Austen's grave. Don't miss the fun events that take place throughout the year from classical concerts and open-air theatre to light installations and the spectacular Christmas market.

Discover more about Winchester's historic Cathedral

Winchester city museum.

City Museum tells the story of England’s ancient capital, Winchester, the seat of Alfred the Great. Explore the sights and sounds of Winchester past and present in the museum’s three galleries. Discover more about its origins as an Iron Age trading centre and Anglo‑Saxon glory. Find out about the last journey of Jane Austen. And learn about the hunt for King Alfred’s remains.

Find out more about City Museum

878 AD is an immersive experience for all the family. Discover early medieval Wessex and the sights, sounds and smells of Anglo-Saxon Winchester in this exciting exploration of the city and its history. This two part Anglo-Saxon adventure is brought to life by the spectacular world of Assassin’s Creed Valhalla© and its educational experience, Discovery Tour: Viking Age – fun for all ages!

Start your 878 AD adventure here

Westgate museum.

Westgate Museum, at the top of the High Street, is housed inside a fortified medieval city gateway. Discover the history of Tudor and Stuart Winchester. Have a go at the Westgate spotter trail. And be wowed by the views of the city from the rooftop.

What's at Westgate - find out now

The Arc brings together families to experience arts, reading and community under one roof. Experience the Grade II listed building's rich history as a live-performance venue with live music, comedy performances, family theatre shows and high-quality art exhibitions.

Find out what's on at The Arc during your visit

Marwell zoo.

The 140-acre Marwell Zoo is home to hundreds of animals. Discover giraffes, tigers, rhinos, meerkats, penguins, lemurs and much more. Find out how conservation is making a difference for future generations. Watch feeding time. And enjoy five adventure play areas.

Find out more about Marwell

Accessibility info, accessibility information for the city of winchester.

As an historic city, Winchester's streets can be narrow or uneven. The city is situated on a hill that runs from west to east along a pedestrianised High Street. Some of the routes within the city centre are therefore quite steep, and they are cobbled in places. There is an accessible trail which passes some of Winchester’s major visitor sites. This is mainly level with just one ramp.

All public toilets in the city have accessible facilities. These are marked on the city centre maps available from the Visitor Information Centre. The RADAR scheme is in use and keys are available for loan or purchase from the Visitor Information Centre. All city centre car parks have accessible parking.

Welcome to Mysteries and Mayhem – a world of weird science, curiosity and investigation! As well as all the usual Science Centre fun, there’ll be even more on offer to excite all ages - all included with admission!

Olympic and Paralympic fever is taking over both inside and out! Beat the bugs in the Bug Olympics. Create an epic opening ceremony inspired by nature. Find out about the science of us. And discover what happens to our bodies during exercise. 

Spend the next 12 months making new discoveries with an annual membership. Get free entry, discounted tickets to The Planetarium and lots of special extras!

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Under Chandelier of the Tent Roof Intercession Chapel

View from under the church chandelier on the ceiling interior of the main chapel of St. Basil's Cathedral , the Chapel of the Intercession of the Holy Virgin, with a tent roof structure. This Chapel was one of the earliest architectural experiments that placed two octagons sharing a ribbed roof on top of a square. This started a whole new trend in architecture. However, a tall structure like this with a small base plate is very difficult to heat, and cannot be used by many people praying at the same time, which is one of the reasons why very few churches like this were ever built. Tented roofs are thought to have originated in the Russian North, as they prevented snow from piling up on wooden buildings during long winters. This roof style was widely used in 16th- and 17th-century Russian architecture for churches, although there are examples of this style also in other parts of Europe.

Photo #359 taken on July 16, 2016, during a tour of St. Basil's Cathedral with my dear clients from the USA, Andrew and Karen Green.

About Me in Short

My name's Arthur Lookyanov, I'm a private tour guide, personal driver and photographer in Moscow, Russia. I work in my business and run my website Moscow-Driver.com from 2002. Read more about me and my services , check out testimonials of my former business and travel clients from all over the World, hit me up on Twitter or other social websites. I hope that you will like my photos as well.

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• Tags: churches , Russia , interiors , cathedrals , Intercession church , St. Basil’s cathedral , Orthodox Churches , chandelier , church interior , St. Basil’s , Orthodox Cathedrals , Pokrovsky Sobor , Tent Roof , church architecture , Moscow

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You are here > Home > What's On > Tower Tours at Winchester Cathedral

Tower Tours at Winchester Cathedral

Tel: 01962857275

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Enjoy an exhilarating tower tour of Winchester Cathedral with magnificent views across Winchester and the county. After climbing spiralling steps up onto the cathedral roof, you will see the ringing chamber, the great Cathedral bells and walk the full length of the nave roof with its huge wood beams. Tickets are £10.00 and can be booked via the Cathedral Box Office on 01962 857 275. Please call the Box Office for information on available dates. Please note: The minimum age for these tours is 12 years and children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult. Although there is no set upper age limit for this tour, please be aware of the difficulty of the climb. The tour may be unsuitable for those who are elderly, infirm, disabled, pregnant, those suffering from heart or respiratory disorders, or any other medical condition which could be affected by the climb. Due to width restrictions, all large items of baggage are not permitted and regrettably cannot be left unattended or stored at ground level. Suitable clothing and foot-wear should be worn.

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Early History

In the December 1812 manifesto, Tsar Alexander declared the cathedral would “…signify Our gratitude to Divine Providence for saving Russia from the doom that overshadowed Her and to preserve the memory of the unheard of efforts, loyalty, and love for our faith and homeland displayed during these difficult days by the Russian people…” While planning for the cathedral began as Napoleon and his army retreated from Russia its completion was decades later.

Under a plan by the architect Vitberg an initial start of the construction of cathedral began on October 12 , 1817 with laying and blessing of the cornerstone. The site chosen was on Sparrow Hills between the Smolensk and Kaluga roads. The site, however, was found to be unstable and not suitable for the planned structure. As alternatives were considered Alexander was succeeded by his brother Nicholas I who had different architectural preferences. Konstantin A. Ton presented a second plan that placed the cathedral on a different site on the bank of the Moscow River that was occupied by the Aleksevevsky Convent and the Church of All Saints. The new plan was approved by Nicholas I on April 10 , 1832.

After moving the convent to Sokolniki, construction of the Cathedral began on September 10 , 1839 with the laying of the cornerstone. Construction of the huge structure continued for forty years. By 1841, the walls of the lower level were completed, followed by the joining of the arch of the main cupola in 1846. Covered by scaffolding, work continued on the exterior facing of the building and a start was made on construction of the metal roofs and lesser cupolas. The main cupola was completed in 1849. In 1860, the scaffolding was removed and the Cathedral was revealed for the first time in all its glory.

Construction continued on details of the structure while areas around the Cathedral, including riverbank terraces and squares, were completed. By 1881 the major construction was finished, including a bronze balustrade and exterior lanterns. Work on the interior frescoes continued for another twenty years. The Cathedral was formally named the Cathedral of Christ the Savior on December 13 , 1880, when the priests and other clergy were also assigned to it for the first time. The Cathedral was consecrated on Ascension Day, May 26 , 1883, the day that Tsar Alexander III was crowned. Chapels , located in the upper gallery, were dedicated to Ss. Nicholas and Alexander Nevsky , on June 12 and July 8 , 1883 respectively.

The design of the cathedral followed that of ancient Russian churches that were built in the Byzantine style. It differed in having a more regular shape and was lighter in form. The cathedral contained a number of altars . The staff of the Cathedral was relatively small; the rector , an assistant rector, three priests, one protodeacon , two deacons , two subdeacons , four readers , two sextons, twelve bell-ringers, one baker (who made prosphora ), and the choir. Among the leaders of the choir were the famous composers A. A. Arkhangelsky and P. G. Chesnokov.

In the following years services were held regularly. Among the important events marked in the Cathedral were the 500th anniversary of the death of St. Sergius of Radonezh , the 100th anniversary of the war of 1812, the 300th anniversary of the Romanov dynasty, and consecration of memorials to Tsar Alexander III and Nicholas Gogol. The opening session of the council of 1917-1918 , that reinstated the patriarchate in the Russian Church, was held in the Cathedral. The Cathedral became the center for education and enlightenment.

After the assumption of governmental power by the Bolsheviks, the Cathedral was eventually closed. The site that it was on, as well as for ideological reasons, became an important factor in Bolshevik urban planning. Their plans entailed construction of a grandiose Palace of Soviets on the site topped with a statue of Vladimir Illich Ulyanov (Lenin) as a symbol of socialist victory and the leader of world proletariat. On December 5 , 1931 destruction of the Cathedral began under direction of Joseph Vissarionovich Djugashvili (Stalin) . It was a year before the site was cleared.

The construction of the palace was hampered from the start by lack of funds, problems with the foundation soil, flooding from the nearby Moscow River, and then World War II. The hugh hole blighted the area for years until Nikita Khrushchev had the site converted into a hugh swimming pool during the 1950s.

Recent history

The political thaw of the late 1980s brought on by a period of perestroika and the fall of the Soviet Union created an opening in which the Holy Synod of the Church of Russia , led by Patriarch Alexei II , requested the government of Russia and the City of Moscow for restoration of the destroyed Cathedral. Having been given approval in February 1990, the construction of the restored Cathedral began under Aleksey Denisov replicating the original design. Ordinary citizens contributed greatly to the construction fund that was started in 1994. After construction of the restored cathedral was well under way Denisov replaced by Zurab Tsereteli who made some controversial changes to the original design.

In 1996, the lower part of the building was completed and, in 1996, the church within it was consecrated to the Transfiguration of Our Lord. The completed Cathedral of Christ the Savior was consecrated on August 19 , 2000. Monumental statues of the Tsars Alexander II and Nicholas II were placed near the Cathedral and several chapels were built on the cathedral square.

On May 17 , 2007, in the assembly hall also located in the Cathedral, the ‘‘Act of Canonical Communion between the Moscow Patriarchate of the Russian Orthodox Church and Russian Orthodox Church Outside Russia’’ ( ROCOR ) was signed, restoring full communion with the Moscow Patriarchate. The reunion was celebrated by a Divine Liturgy concelebrated by Alexei II, Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia and Metr. Laurus , First Hierarch of ROCOR.

External links

• Index - The Cathedral of Christ the Savior
• The Cathedral of Christ the Savior
• History of the Cathedral (1812-1931)
• Wikipedia:Cathedral_of_Christ_the_Saviour Moscow
• Churches in Russia

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St Basil Cathedral Guided Tour with Red Square - Moscow

• duration: 1 hours
• price: 40 €
• order: Book

What You Will See on St Basil Cathedral Tour

St Basil Cathedral is one of the highlights of Moscow. During your guided private tour you will enjoy architectural forms of the ancient Moscow. The cathedral has unusual standards. Nine churches are set on a lofty pedestal; eight of them are grouped round the central Church of the Intercession whose hipped roof towers are above the others.

In 1588 a local Saint- Basil the Blessed was buried in the north-east corner of the cathedral. A tenth church dedicated to St. Basil was added to the existing structure directly above his tomb and since then the whole ensemble is commonly referred to as the Cathedral of St. Basil the Blessed.

The walls and vaults of the Cathedral are covered with frescoes and oil paintings with plant ornament and images of saints. The museum temporary exhibition presents rare examples of ancient Russian icon‐painting school and masterpieces of applied art.

It has seven domes, each of a different color. The inner gallery also contains amazing wall and ceiling paintings: stylized flower patterns of unique shapes and bright colors. This Cathedral is a masterpiece of Russian Architecture.

Details of the Tour

St. Basil Cathedral Tour last for 1 hour and during this time you will learn:

• why Ivan IV was given a nick name “Terrible”;
• what is the twin brother Cathedral to St. Basil Cathedral;
• the features and symbols of the Russian Architecture;
• who was that saint- Basil (Vasily) whose name the Cathedral bears;

The History of St Basil Cathedral

It was built by the order of Ivan IV, the Terrible and with the blessing of Metropolitan Macarius.

The Cathedral was designed by Russian masters and was built of brick in traditional Russian style.

The cathedral was meant to commemorate an important even- the victory of the Russian Army over Kazan Khanate and final liberation from the Tartar-Mongol Yoke. As a result of which the Russian lands were united round Moscow as their capital.

The building is shaped like the flame of a bonfire rising into the sky, a design that has no parallel in the Russian architecture.

The builders used brick as a decorative medium both inside and out, leaving as much brickwork open as possible; when location required the use of stone walls, it was decorated with a brickwork pattern painted over stucco.

There is a legend that says that Ivan the Terrible asked the builders if they could build anything finer than they had already done. When they answered that they could, he ordered that they be blinded so that there would never be anything more beautiful in the world than the Cathedral of Basil (Vasily) the Blessed.

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