Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
The official name of St Basil's Cathedral is the Intercession Cathedral. The mis-
nomer 'St Basil's' refers to the extra northeastern chapel, which was built over
the grave of Vasily (Basil) the Blessed.
AUDIO G
UDIO GUIDE
UIDE
An audio guide to the history and architecture of St Basil's is available for R200.
According to legend, Ivan the Terrible had the architects of St Basil's blinded, so
that they could never build anything comparable. However, records show that
they were actually employed a quarter of a century later to add an additional
chapel to the structure.
MININ & P
MININ & POZHAR
ZHARSSKY
the army that ejected occupying Poles from the Kremlin in 1612.
SIGHTS
MUSEUM
STATE HISTORY MUSEUM
10am-6pm Wed & Fri-Mon, 11am-9pm Thu; Okhotny Ryad)
At the northern end of Red Square, the State History Museum has an enormous collection
covering the whole Russian empire from the time of the Stone Age. The building, dating
from the late 19th century, is itself an attraction - each room is in the style of a different
period or region, some with highly decorated walls echoing old Russian churches.
The exhibits about medieval Rus are excellent, with several rooms covering the Mongol
invasions and the consolidation of the Russian state. The 2nd floor is dedicated to the Im-
perial period, with exhibits featuring personal items of the royals, furnishings and decora-
tion from the palace interiors and various artworks and documents from the era. Specific
rooms are dedicated to the rule of various tsars. An unexpected highlight is an exhibit ad-
