St. Basil's Cathedral

International icon sitting at the heart of Red Square
Talk of the town: According to popular local myth, Ivan the Terrible had the architect blinded so that he could never again build something so beautiful. Historians, however, point out that the architect designed many more cathedrals - eyes fully intact.

Undoubtedly the colourful domes of the spectacular St. Basil’s Cathedral will form the backdrop of your favourite photos of the famous Red Square and remain in your memory long after - this has to be one of the most iconic buildings in the world.
Built in celebration of Russia’s defeat of the Khan of Kazan in 1561, St. Basil’s is a deceptively complex construction. The eight fairytale domes sit atop eight different chapels which are each set to a cardinal point. The chapels are connected together by open galleries which circle the largest tent-roofed chapel in the centre.

Secret vaults and hidden narrow stairways used by rich merchants who once stored their treasures here, plus numerous extravagantly decorated entrance-ways and alcoves further add to the confusion of the maze-like layout.