Soviet Reforms

During the Soviet era, religion was abolished and many churches and cathedrals were destroyed or turned to new functions.

This church, the All Saints Church on Kulishki, was used by the KGB. When the church was reverted back for religious purposes in the 1990's bones of the KGB victims were discovered in the basement. 

The original church of the now Pussy riot church was demolished to build a grand sky scraper (one of Stalin's seven sisters). The ground turned out to be too swampy so instead the largest outdoor swimming pool was built on the site and remained there until the church was rebuilt after the fall of the Soviet  Union. 

This church, Our Lady of Kazan, sits on the corner of Red Square. The original was destroyed and a large public bathroom made of marble was installed in its place.