Cathedral of the Assumption

Cathedral of the Assumption (Uspenskiy sobor)is the oldest and most important of the Kremlin churches, which has symbolized Moscow's claim to be the protector of the seat of Russian Orthodoxy ever since the seat of the Church was transferred here from Vladimir in 1326. The cathedral was rebuilt in 1479 by the Bolognese architect Alberti Fioravanti, and its subsequent history reflects its role as Russia's premier church, used throughout Tsarist times for coronations and solemn acts of state. Given the cathedral's exalted status its exterior is remarkably plain, while the interior is spacious, light and echoing, its walls, roof and pillars entirely covered by icons, and frescoes applied onto a gilt undercoating. Though still a museum rather than a place of worship, the cathedral is used for religious services, albeit rarely.