The Cathedral of St. Saviour at Moscow.

Te Aroha News, Volume II, Issue 80, 13 December 1884, Page 5

The Cathedral of St. Saviour at Moscow.

The new Cathedral at Moscow is one of the most remarkable churches in Europe. The church of St. Saviour has been erected in commemoration of the departure of the French from Moscow. In less than three months after the retreat of the foe Alexander 1. issued a ukase that a memorial temple should be built, and five years later the foundation was laid, but not on the present site. Had the original plans been followed, Russia would have had the highest building in the world, namely, 700 feet high, but after expending ten years' time and £600,000 the architect and Building Committee were banished, and their property confiscated. Emperor Nicholas adopted new plans and selected the present site, which has cost, with embankment and terraces, £180,000. In 1838 the foundation was begun, and the building slowly rose. In 1858 the scaffolding was removed, and 25 years more have been required to decorate and finish it inside and out. The building covers an area of 73,000 square feet, or over one and a half acres. It is built in the form of a Greek cross, and the style is Grwco-Byzan-tine. There are five cupolas, the centre one of which rises to a height of 340 ft from the ground. The gilding of the domes required 9001b of gold, and cost £170,000. The bells, as usual in Russia, are of ponderous weigfit. The largest or " holy day " bell, weighs 26 tons, the "Sunday" bell weighs 12 tons, and the smallest of the peal descends to about 301b. The chimes alone cost £13,000.

If you want to keep flies out of your rooms, place a couple of pots of geraniums in the open windows. All male Tasmanians earning at the rate of £60 a year are to have a vote for members of the Assembly. The Wellington hangman is in custody on a charge oi burglary.