Church in Diakovo – view from north

Beheading of St. John the Baptist Church in Diakovo (Moscow). View from the north.
Photo by N.I.Zharkikh, February 10, 1977.

Ancient village Diakovo was based south of Kolomenskoye, just on the steep bank of the Moskva River. From Kolomenskoye it separated with small ravine.

In this village in 1547 – 1554's with order of Ivan 4 (the Terrible) was built Beheading of St. John the Baptist Church. There is a thought that the church built on the occasion of accession of John 4 in the kingdom, which was held in 1547.

Architecture of church is very distinctive – a strong central tower surrounded by four smaller volume-pay towers between which is embedded closed gallery. The church – a direct precursor for the nine-tower Intercession Cathedral (St.Basil) on Red Square, built a few years later.