Cathedral of Christ the Saviour (Khram Khrista Spasitela), Moscow , Russia

Mayor Luzhkov was once considered a pretender to the Russian Presidency. He certainly does not lack the sense of civic grandeur with which previous Russian rulers have been blessed. This vast cathedral, whose golden domes sit atop a pale majestic hulk of marble and granite, was built at Luzhkov's bidding for the princely sum of USD150 million. The original was erected in commemoration of Russia's defeat over Napoleon, yet was demolished following Lenin's death in 1931 to make room for the Palace of Soviets. Due to World War 2 and constant flooding, the Palace of Soviets never materialized and its foundation was transformed into the world's largest swimming pool by Premier Kruschev. After nearly a decade of fund raising and controversial changes, the current reconstruction was opened in 2000, just in time for Moscow's 850th anniversary. Today the cathedral serves as a fitting symbol both of a reborn Russia and the dizzy pretensions to grandeur of modern Moscow. Admission is free.