Russia's largest church, The Cathedral of Christ the Saviour, has something of a soap opera history. Originally commissioned by Emperor Alexander I to celebrate the defeat of Napolean it was finally completed in 1881, only to be torn down by secular Communists in 1933. Stalin's idea was to build a mighty 'Palace of the Soviets' (see our page on the Seven Sisters) on the site, but when this plan was dismissed, owing to architectural difficulties, a giant outdoor swimming pool was constructed instead. However during the 90s, talk began of rebuilding the holy church; and in 1997, Yuri Lushkov, the Moscow mayor, realised his dream and had the Cathedral reconstructed to its former splendour. Today the golden domes are back by the river, forming once more one of the most recognisable landmarks of the entire city.
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