Tsar Alexander I Ordered to construct new Impressive Cathedral in commemoration of the Victory over Napoleon . It was planned to be built it in the area of Vorobievi Hills where the Moscow State University now stands . But after Alexander’s death , Tsar Nicholas I relocated the construction on Volkhonka street . It took more than 40 years to complete the construction . Only In 1883 it was consecrated and opened its doors . The cathedral became the tallest building in Moscow (103 meters) and the biggest public cathedral in a very center of the city with a space enough for 10000 worshippers with a golden dome , 30 meters wide . It was designed by architect Thon .
The best painters participated in it’s decoration . Unfortunately , the fate of this cathedral was very tragic . It was blown up in 1934 to free the for the Palace of Soviets which had to be 400 meters high with a statue of Lenin on its top , but because of war in the 1940-s the construction was abandoned . Until 1990-s the whole area was occupied by an open-air swimming pool . But then it was decided to build back the cathedral . An exact copy of demolished one . It was restored just in 5 years .On 31 December 1999, the upper temple was opened for visiting. On the night of January 6-7, 2000 the first solemn Christmas liturgy was served
