O edifício original, conhecido como “Igreja da Trindade” e depois de “Catedral da Trindade”, continha oito igrejas laterais dispostas ao redor do edifício central; a décima igreja foi erguida em 1588 sobre o túmulo do santo venerado local Vasily (Basílio). Nos séculos XVI e XVII a catedral, considerada o símbolo terreno da “Cidade Celestial”, era popularmente conhecida como “Jerusalém” e serviu como uma alegoria ao Templo de Jerusalém no desfile de Domingo de Ramos com a presença do Patriarca de Moscou e do czar.
O projeto do edifício, em forma de chama de uma fogueira subindo ao céu, não tem análogos no domínio da arquitetura russa: “É como nenhum outro edifício russo. Nada semelhante pode ser encontrado no milênio inteiro da tradição bizantina, do século V ao XV … um estranhamento que surpreende pela sua imprevisibilidade, complexidade e beleza.” A catedral antecipou o clímax da arquitetura nacional da Rússia no século XVII.
A catedral tem operado como uma divisão do Museu Histórico do Estado desde 1928. Foi completamente secularizada em 1929 e, em 2010, continuou a ser uma propriedade federal da Federação Russa. A catedral é parte do Kremlin e da Praça Vermelha, Patrimônio Mundial da UNESCO desde 1990.
St. Basil's Cathedral
Although it's known to everyone as St. Basil's, this legendary building is officially called "The Cathedral of the Intercession of the Virgin by the Moat". The popular alternative refers to Basil the Blessed, a Muscovite 'holy fool' who was buried on the site (in the Trinity Cathedral that once stood here) a few years before the present building was erected.
The Cathedral was ordered by Ivan the Terrible to mark the 1552 capture of Kazan from Mongol forces. It was completed in 1560. That's pretty much all the genuine history that's known about this celebrated landmark. There, however, scores of legends. Nothing is known about the builders, Barma and Postnik Yakovlev, except their names and the dubious legend that Ivan had them blinded so that they could not create anything to compare. Historians unanimously state that this is nothing but urban folklore.
Architectural specialists are to this day unable to agree about the governing idea behind the structure. Either the creators were paying homage to the churches of Jerusalem, or, by building eight churches around a central ninth, they were representing the medieval symbol of the eight-pointed star. The original concept of the Cathedral of the Intercession has been hidden from us beneath layers of stylistic additions and new churches added to the main building. In fact, when built, the Cathedral was all white to match the white-stone Kremlin, and the onion domes were gold rather than multi-colored and patterned as they are today.
In the 17th century a hip-roofed bell tower was added, the gallery and staircases were covered with vaulted roofing, and the helmeted domes were replaced with decorated ones. In 1860 during rebuilding, the Cathedral was painted with a more complex and integrated design, and has remained unchanged since.
For a time in the Soviet Union, there was talk of demolishing St. Basil's - mainly because it hindered Stalin's plans for massed parades on Red Square. It was only saved thanks to the courage of the architect Pyotr Baranovsky. When ordered to prepare the building for demolition, he refused categorically, and sent the Kremlin an extremely blunt telegram. The Cathedral remained standing, and Baranovsky's conservation efforts earned him five years in prison.
The Cathedral is now a museum. During restoration work in the seventies a wooden spiral staircase was discovered within one of the walls. Visitors now take this route into the central church, with its extraordinary, soaring tented roof and a fine 16th Century iconostasis. You can also walk along the narrow, winding gallery, covered in beautiful patterned paintwork.One service a year is held in the Cathedral, on the Day of Intercession in October.
The Cathedral is now a museum. During restoration work in the seventies a wooden spiral staircase was discovered within one of the walls. Visitors now take this route into the central church, with its extraordinary, soaring tented roof and a fine 16th Century iconostasis. You can also walk along the narrow, winding gallery, covered in beautiful patterned paintwork.
Nenhum comentário:
Postar um comentário