The Vysotniye Zdaniye in Moscow

During the reconstruction of Moscow in the 1930s, many churches, bell towers and cathedrals were destroyed. The Saviour Cathedral was demolished to make way for the grandiose Palace of Soviets. This was to be the tallest building in the world - a towering 415-meter monument topped by a 100-meter statue of Lenin. However, the construction site proved too wet for such an enormous structure. The project was abandoned when Russia entered World War II.

After the Soviet triumph over Nazi Germany, Stalin launched another ambitious plan: the Vysotniye Zdaniye, or High Buildings. Architects were commissioned to design a series of Neo-Gothic skyscrapers similar to the abandoned Palace of Soviets. Often called "wedding cake" skyscrapers, the buildings were tiered to create the sense of upward movement. Each building was given a central tower and, at Stalin's request, a sparkling metalized glass spire. It was felt that the spire distinguished Stalin's buildings from the Empire State Building and other American skyscrapers. Also, these new Moscow buildings incorporated ideas from Gothic cathedrals and 17th century Russian churches. Thus, past and future were combined.

Eight skyscrapers were planned and seven built, forming a ring in the center of Moscow. Often called the Seven Sisters, the Vysotniye Zdaniye are:

• The Ministry of Foreign Affairs
• The Hotel Ukraine
• The Moscow State University Tower
• Kotelnicheskaya Naberezhnaya
• Kudrinskaya Square
• Leningradskaya Hotel
• Red Gate Square

Photo Tour: Seven Sisters of Moscow

Recent years have brought another urban revival. Mayor Yury Luzhkov launched a plan to build a second ring of Neo-Gothic skyscrapers just beyond the center of Moscow. As many as 60 new buildings may be constructed in the next 15 years.