Kazansky Sobor, adorning Krasnaya Ploshchad, is one of the most revered Orthodox churches. It was built in the 17th century with funds from Prince Dmitry Pozharsky and commemorates the liberation of Russian lands from the Polish-Lithuanian invaders in 1612.
The cathedral's main shrine is the miraculous Kazanskaya Icon of the Mother of God, discovered in 1579 and transferred first to Uspensky Sobor, and later to the newly built Kazansky Sobor.
The cathedral building underwent reconstruction many times by order of various rulers. The holy place suffered the most in 1936, when it was simply demolished to its foundations.
Kazansky Sobor was the very first of all Moscow's lost religious buildings to be restored. The church was rebuilt in 1990-1993 mainly with funds from the city government, as well as through private donations. The interior walls were painted by masters from Palekh and Bryansk.
The exterior of Kazansky Sobor is quite cheerful and bright. It is crowned by a single dome surrounded by many kokoshniks at different levels. The complex architectural composition is executed with impeccable stylistic precision, so the cathedral looks cohesive and compact.
Nearby stands a tent-roofed bell tower, which is also a fine example of Russian church architecture.
