Cathedral of the Archangel

Welcome to the Cathedral of the Archangel, or Arkhangelsky Sobor, the second most significant church within the Moscow Kremlin’s Cathedral Square. Standing on the historic Borovitsky Hill with commanding views toward the Moskva…

The exterior of the Cathedral of the Archangel is perhaps the most visually striking on Cathedral Square due to its 'Italianate' appearance. Aleviz Novy utilized classical elements such as cornices, pilasters with Corinthian…

Step inside, and you will find yourself in a space that is significantly darker and more cramped than the exterior suggests. This is intentional, a characteristic of traditional Russian church interiors meant to inspire awe and…

Behind the altar screen, in the southeastern corner of the cathedral, lies a particularly significant and somber area: the burial place of Ivan IV, known as Ivan the Terrible. He is buried here alongside his two sons, the elder…

The interior walls and pillars of the cathedral are entirely covered in magnificent frescoes, primarily dating from the mid-17th century. These paintings were created by a team of master artists, including Simon Ushakov and…

While primarily a male necropolis, the Cathedral of the Archangel also became a sanctuary for the remains of noblewomen in the early 20th century. Following the demolition of the Ascension (Voznesensky) Monastery within the…

From a purely structural perspective, the Cathedral of the Archangel is a classic cruciform domed church. This design, which originated in Byzantium, was the standard for Russian church building for centuries. …

As you step back into Cathedral Square, take one last look at the scallop-shell gables of the Arkhangelsky Sobor. This cathedral is more than just a place of worship; it is a physical manifestation of the origins of the Russian…