The Cathedral of the Archangel is dedicated to Michael the Archangel, patron saint of the Muscovite princes and tsars. This temple differs from the surrounding buildings because, although it is clearly built in a Russian-Byzantine architectural style, it has various details, especially decorative features, that are reminiscent of the Renaissance palaces of Venice.
The reason is simple: the building was designed by a skilled Italian architect, Aloisio Lamberti, dubbed Novyi in Russian, meaning new.
At the beginning of the 16th century, the current cathedral replaced the original one from the 14th century, which was now too small and decrepit to contain all the tombs for which it was intended. Since the time it was built, this was where all the great princes and tsars had been buried. Ivan III, who wanted it to be rebuilt, was the very first to be buried in the new cathedral among the tombs of his ancestors.
Inside, you will find the tombs of other great historical figures, such as Ivan IV, known as the Terrible, who rests here next to his sons, including Ivan Ivanovič who was killed by his own father, and the little Dmitry who was assassinated at only 9 years old and later canonized a saint after several miracles occurred from praying at his grave.
I recommend that you wander around the cathedral to admire all the splendid architectural features, before going inside to contemplate the magnificent interior, divided into three large naves by six mighty pillars.
Once inside, in addition to the beautiful decorations, I suggest that you pay close attention to one of the side chapels, dedicated to Saint Varus Martyr. You’ll see an icon of the saint, in which he is depicted as a soldier-martyr, which is one of the most revered in Moscow because it protects sick children.
In an annex of the cathedral you will also find an interesting exhibition on the Ascension Convent, which was unfortunately demolished by the government in 1929 along with other historical buildings. It was founded in the 14th century by the great princess Eudoxia after she was widowed. Shortly before she died, she took vows as Euphrosyne and was later proclaimed a saint.
An interesting fact: the Archangel Michael was considered the patron of the princes who prayed to receive courage before facing battle. According to mythology, he was also the one who accompanied the deceased into the realm of the dead.
