The Kremlin, Moscow, Gorod Moskva Russia
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If there's one thing the Russian's excel at it's religious architecture. Across the country thousands of churches abandoned under Soviet rule are now being restored. There are a few, however, that escaped decay because they were thought to be of special value to the people. This is one of them. The Cathedral of Saint Michel the Archangel is one of three cathedrals in or near the Kremlin, and one of two actually on Kremlin grounds. Like most other Russian Orthodox churches it features the special onion domes topped by gilded crosses that are commonplace. But this wasn't built by a Russian. Italian architect Alevisio Novi was charged with rebuilding the great cathedral in Cathedral Square, also known as the "City of God." Moscow was to become the Third Rome, after Constantinople and, of course, the original Rome. Though at a casual glance it appears authentic Russian, his design is Italian Renaissance at its fundamentals even though he was required to make it palatable to Byzantine tastes. Inside, the tomb of Ivan the Terrible and dozens of other members of the Russian Royal family line the walls.

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