Moscowcultural revolution

Originally erected to honor the soldiers that died during the Napoleonic war of 1812, the Cathedral of Christ the Savior was demolished by Stalin in 1931 with the intention of constructing a “Palace of Soviets” in its place. That ambitious plan never came to fruition, and the site became one of the world’s largest swimming pools. Then in 1997, the cathedral was rebuilt with a lavish interior, manicured gardens and gleaming gold domes that are visible from all over central Moscow. (In the basement, you’ll find a small museum detailing the church’s history.) A symbol of hope, the white marble structure overlooks the Moscow River and is situated near a footbridge that makes for an excellent photo op.