Cathedral of Christ the Saviour, Eastern Orthodox cathedral in Moscow
The cathedral rises from the banks of the Moskva River with five golden domes, the central one reaching 105 meters (344 feet) in height. The white marble facade displays elaborate reliefs and sculptures depicting biblical scenes. The interior comprises four galleries honoring 1812 Russian military commanders, while the walls are covered with detailed frescoes of biblical narratives and saints.
Tsar Alexander I commissioned the structure in 1812 as a monument to victory over Napoleon, though completion came only in 1883 under Alexander III. Stalin ordered its demolition in 1931 to make way for the Palace of the Soviets, which was never built. Following the Soviet collapse, reconstruction began in 1994, with architects using historical documents and photographs to recreate the original design.
The cathedral serves as the primary church of the Russian Orthodox Church and hosts major religious ceremonies. The Patriarch of Moscow regularly celebrates services here before thousands of worshippers. It represents Russia's renewed religious identity after the Soviet era and attracts millions of pilgrims and visitors each year who come to participate in liturgical life and witness its spiritual significance.
The cathedral sits 10 minutes on foot from Kropotkinskaya metro station and opens daily to visitors, with services held on Sundays and religious holidays. Entry is free, though a small fee applies for access to observation platforms. Visitors should wear modest clothing, with women required to cover their heads with scarves and keep shoulders and knees covered. Photography inside is not permitted during services.
The reconstruction used over 400 kilograms (880 pounds) of gold to gild the domes and consumed more marble than any other construction project worldwide in the 1990s. A swimming pool exists in the basement, a remnant from when the Moskva Pool occupied this site after the original cathedral's demolition, preserved during the Soviet-era reconstruction that followed the structure's completion.
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