In 1552, on the eve of the feast of the Intercession, or the Protecting Veil of the Holy Virgin, the Russian army took the capital of the Kazan Khanate; in 1555, to commemorate this event, construction of a cathedral was begun. History preserved the names of the Russian master builders who created this architectural masterpiece – Postnik and Barma. Eight churches are grouped around the ninth, central church. Each is unique, yet they are united in perfect harmony by a single artistic idea. In 1588 a tenth church was added to the cathedral - that of St. Basil the Blessed. Thus it became 10-domed and acquired its second popular name, the Cathedral of St. Basil the Blessed.