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The Kremlin Cathedrals |
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The Cathedral of the Assumption
The Cathedral of the Annunciation
The Cathedral of the Archangel
The Church of St. Ioann Lestvichnik and the Ivan the Great Bell Tower
The Church of the Deposition of the Virgin’s Robe in Vlachernon
The Patriarch’s Palace and the Church of the Twelve Apostles
The Verkhospassky Cathedral and the Terem Churches
The Cathedral of the Intercession (of St. Basil the Blessed)
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The Cathedral of the Annunciation
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ÂIn the south-western part of Cathedral Square stands the graceful Cathedral of the Annunciation with its nine gilded domes. It was built in 1484-1489 by master builders from Pskov, as a royal family church for the Grand Duke of Moscow, where the sacraments of marriage and baptism were performed.
The cathedral was built in keeping with the traditions of early Moscow architecture, but also incorporated elements of Pskov architecture. There are two staircases with tall porches by which one can enter the cathedral from the square.
For a long time the cathedral was the main church of Moscow’s dukes. During grand ceremonies held in Cathedral Square the ruling duke (and later the tsar) and his retinue made their appearance from this cathedral. Inside is the oldest Russian multi-tiered iconostasis, with icons dating from the 14th-16th centuries, some of which were painted by Andrey Rublev, Theophanes the Greek and Prokhor of Gorodets.
The cathedral was damaged during the bombardment of the Kremlin in 1917.
Bird’s Eye View of the Kremlin
Moscow Kremlin State Historical and Cultural Museum Sanctuary