St Basil's: 450th

From Russia Today:
"Red Square's jewel marks 450th anniversary"

One of Moscow’s landmark architectural marvels Saint Basil the Blessed Cathedral, also known as Pokrovsky Cathedral, on Moscow’s Red Square, is celebrating its 450th anniversary on July 12. It was on this day in 1561 that the construction of the church was finally completed. The beautiful building was constructed between 1554 and 1561 by Tsar Ivan IV the Terrible to embody the military victories over the khanates of Kazan and Astrakhan in stone. Historical documents and archives give different accounts of what was there in the southern part of today’s Red Square before St. Basil’s. Some documents say there was a church made of wood while some recall a church of stone. Starting from 1929, during the Soviet period in Russian history, St. Basil’s was no longer operating as a church, but was made a museum as a part of Moscow’s Historical Museum. After the revolution of 1917 the cathedral was among the first architectural monuments to be taken under state security. Divine services were reintroduced within the cathedral’s premises after its complete reconstruction and restoration of its frescos, interior and exterior decoration and ornaments. In 1990, Saint Basil’s Cathedral was included on the UNESCO World Heritage List. To mark the cathedral’s anniversary, GUM shopping mall on Red Square is opening a photo-display.

^ It's pretty cool that St Basil's is 450 years old. I have been to Moscow many times and seen it (only from the outside.) I'm not even sure you are allowed inside or not. Having St Basil's in the background of your picture makes everyone know that you were in Moscow. It is a true landmark of the city that has suffered over the centuries. ^

http://rt.com/art-and-culture/news/saint-basil-blessed-anniversary/