The strict and majestic silhouette of the golden-domed white-stone Assumption Cathedral rises above the palaces and temples in Cathedral Square of the Kremlin, the ancient citadel of Moscow.

The cathedral was built in 1479 by order of Grand Duke Ivan III of Moscow. For this, the Italian architect Aristotle Fioravanti was specially invited. The dedication of the Moscow cathedral to the Assumption of the Mother of God is linked to an ancient tradition, as this main feast of the Mother of God is celebrated on August 15 according to the old style and is especially revered in Russia.

For six centuries, the cathedral has served as the state and cultural center of Russia: here, grand princes were elevated to rank, kings were crowned, and emperors were anointed. In the Assumption Cathedral, bishops, metropolitans, and patriarchs were also consecrated, state acts were proclaimed, and prayers were held before military campaigns and in honor of victories. In the 14th and 17th centuries, the cathedral served as a burial place for the heads of the Russian church, metropolitans, and patriarchs. Here, the relics of Moscow's miracle workers Peter, Jonah, Philip II, and Hermogenes rest in precious reliquaries.

The special status of the Assumption Cathedral attracted the attention of sovereigns and rulers, who cared for its arrangement and decoration. Outstanding master painters from the capital and other corners of Russia were invited to paint the walls and create icons. Thus, the cathedral formed a rich and unique collection of monuments of Russian medieval art, which has been carefully preserved and enriched over the centuries.

After the 1917 revolution, the Assumption Cathedral became a museum. In creating the exhibition, the staff aimed to preserve its interior as much as possible. Thanks to ongoing restoration work, almost all icons and frescoes were cleaned of later inscriptions. Since 1990, services have resumed in the cathedral.