Barma and Postnik designed the Cathedral of the Protection of Most Holy Theotokos on the Moat (Собор Покрова пресвятой Богородицы, что на Рву) in 1555-15561 in what is today the Red Square of Moscow, next to the Kremlin. Six chapels of the “Trinity Church” surround the central “church of intercession,” and a tenth church was built over the grave of saint Vasily in 1588.
Ivan IV had a stone structure replace the wooden church to mark his victories in battle. Muscovy and Byzantine structures influenced its unique design. As a symbol for messianic Jerusalem, the plan forms the idealic proportions of heaven and the flaming roofs are reminiscent of the flames before God’s throne. The stone structure apparently tried to stay true to the wood structure before it. The staggered vertical layers of Ivan the Great Bell Tower can be seen, as well as the tent-like roofs of Church in Kolomenskoye. Stone masons from Germany, architects from Iraly, and Greek workers all collaborated on the strange design. The church was nationalized in 1928 by Russia’s communist government.
This church marks an important transformation from Italian brickwork to Russian stone. The subtle symmetries and complex structures form a grand complex of jewels and heavenly rainbows. It is a staple of Russian architecture and an influence for buildings as far as University of Idaho’s original administration building.
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