Cathedral of the Archangel, Moscow
The Cathedral of the Archangel in Moscow's Kremlin. Photo
Dave Nicoll.
Cathedral square, with the Cathedral of the Archangel on the left.
Photo
Roel Meurders.
Detail of domes and towers. Photo
Juanjo Seixas.
Choir in the Cathedral of the Archangel. Photo
Alan Cordova.
Fresco-covered interior walls. Photo
Alan Cordova.
Location map and aerial view of Cathedral of the Archangel. For a larger interactive view, see our Moscow Map.
The 16th-century Cathedral of the Archangel (Arkhangelsky sobor) stands on Cathedral Square in Moscow's Kremlin.
History
The Cathedral of the Archangel was commissioned by Ivan the Great (1440-1505) and constructed between 1505 and 1508 under the supervision of an Italian architect Aleviz Fryazin Noviy. The new edifice was built over the site of an earlier cathedral dating from 1333.
The Archangel Cathedral has played an important role in Russian political history, hosting celebrations of victories by the Russian military and the burials of tsars and grand princes until 1712, when the capital moved to St. Petersburg.
In total there are 54 burials in the cathedral, included 46 ornamented whitestone tombs and glazed cases made of bronze. Especially notable among the long-term residents are Ivan Kalita ("Moneybags"; c.1304-20), Dmitri Donskoi, Ivan the Great, and Ivan the Terrible (1530-84) behind the altar.
What to See
The influence of the Italian Renaissance on the Archangel Cathedral can be seen in its Corinthian capitals, Venetian-style shell scallops along the building's gables and stonework on the walls.
The cathedral contains frescoes dating to the 16th and 17th centuries painted by Yakov of Kazan, Stepan of Ryazan, Joseph Vladimirov and others. Fragments of the original medieval frescoes can be seen in the altar area.
The gilded Baroque iconostasis rises 43 feet (13 m) high and is covered with icons from the 17th to 19th centuries; the chandeliers dating from the 17th century.
The Cathedral of the Archangel contains several sacred relics of the Orthodox Church, including the remains of St. Grand Duke Dmitry Donskoy, the miracle-workers of Chernigov and St. Tsarevich Dmitry of Uglich.
Quick Facts
| Site Information | |
| Names: | Cathedral of the Archangel; Архангельский собор; Arkhangelsky Sobor; Archangel Cathedral |
| Location: | Moscow, Russia |
| Faith: | Christianity |
| Denomination: | Russian Orthodox |
| Dedication: | St. Michael |
| Category: | Cathedrals |
| Architecture: | Renaissance |
| Date: | 1505-08 |
| Patron(s): | Ivan the Great |
| Features: | Famous Grave; Relics |
| Visitor Information | |
| Address: | Kremlin, Moscow, Russia |
| Coordinates: | 55.750243° N, 37.617885° E (view on Google Maps) |
| Lodging: | View hotels near this location |
| Phone: | 495/203-0349 |
| Opening hours: | Fri-Wed 10am-5pm |
| Cost: | Included in Kremlin ticket |
Travel Resources
- Moscow Map - our detailed interactive map of Moscow, plus hand-picked links to more
- Moscow Hotels - check availability, maps, photos and reviews, and book at the guaranteed lowest price
- Moscow Guided Tours - sightseeing tours and activities in Moscow
- Moscow Car Rentals - get the lowest rate by comparing multiple car companies at a glance
Article Sources
- Cathedral of the Archangel - Official Site of the President of Russia
- Cathedral of St. Michael the Archangel - Moscow-Taxi.com
- Arkhangelsky Sobor - Fodor's Online Travel Guide
- Cathedral of St. Michael the Archangel - Moscow-Hotels.com
- Kremlin: Archangel Cathedral - Caroun.com
- Archangel Cathedral - Kremlin Guide
Last updated on December 9, 2009.
