Cathedral of Christ the Saviour, Moscow .....a histiory

Here I present a look at the history of the Cathedral of Christ the Saviour in Moscow. Built as a result of Napoleon's retreat from Moscow, the Cathedral was a thanksgiving for Russia & the victorious Russian Army. Construction lasted for 40 years & resulted in the largest Orthodox Cathedral in the World. Following the Russian Revolution, Stalin had the Catherdral blown up to make way for the Palace of Soviets, a "skyscraper" to Socialism & the memory of Lenin. Only the foundations were built by the time Hitler invaded Russia in 1941. Work ceased & following victory in 1945, the foundations were turned into an open-air pool. I actually swam there in 1966...... In 1994, the pool was closed and the Cathedral of Christ the Saviour rose again. This time taking a mere fraction of the time to build. This is the story........

Category:

Education

Tags:

• Moscow
• history
• photographs
• original
• Russia
• Cathedrals
• Tsar Alexander I
• 1812
• Soviet era
• Palace of Soviets
• buildings Documentary Culture

[BayAreaOrBust]

I'm an Atheist but am I crazy for falling in love for a church this beautiful?

[nfsutton]

@BayAreaOrBust

I am a non believer, but this Cathedral is amazing both in scale & adornment......

[TheRocinka]

Thank you so much Nigel for the brilliant lecture on the history of Christ the Savior Cathedral. I learned a lot of new historical facts. My special thanks for the pictures of the new Cathedral. I've never had a chance to see it. Don't you know who made the wall paintings inside of the new cathedral?

[nfsutton]

@TheRocinka

You've done it again...... been the first to view my 'little" video. Thank you.

My first visit was in 2005 & I was awe struck..... I am not sure who painted the murals -

I was unable to find who was responsible for the team of artists. I have a couple of books at home in England, that may give a clue, but they are in storage!!!!!!

[BayAreaOrBust]

Also, I wish they would build a cathedral like this in America, I would be it would bring lots of inspiration.

[Antiphyletist]

Lots of "icons" of God the Father!