Comparing The Hagia Sophia And The Cathedral Of Christ The Savior

Every civilization since the dawn of time has erected structures of some sort to live, work and store things in. Though the majority of the structures forged during ancient times were purely for practical usage and not intended to be aesthetically pleasing, over the years, architecture has evolved into a craft which encourages artistry and imagination. Architects often incorporate design elements from antiquated structures in their modern designs, but often this is not the only source of inspiration; the history and meaning behind a building can also provide some influence. Two examples of such structures are the modern Cathedral of Christ the Savior which takes on both design and sentimental elements from The Hagia Sophia. While the two buildings share architectural similarities, more interesting is their common ground of having turbulent and somewhat poignant sagas in their past.

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It took several decades to complete, and since its consecration by the Russian Orthodox Church in 2000, the Cathedral has dominated the skyline as a stunning symbol of status, as well as a reverent reminder of The Cathedral’s turbulent and tense history. “The Cathedral of Christ the Savior in Moscow is an emblematic event in post-communist Russia’s effort to come to terms with its totalitarian past. Initially erected to celebrate Russia’s victory over Napoleon, the cathedral is an iconic building whose nineteenth-century construction glorified the unity of the state, the Orthodox religion, and the people.” (Haskins, Russia's Postcommunist Past, 26). The first construction of The Cathedral was commissioned by Tsar Alexander I