Amid the fractured remains of Kievan Russia, the kremlin (fortified city) of Moscva gained power during the 12th century C.E., becoming an independent principality within the vast Mongol Empire.  Within the next 200 years, the city had grown so great as to become the seat of the Eastern Orthodox Christian church, and to extend its influence to all of Russia.  Eventually the term Kremlin came to refer to the walled center of the metropolis, and remained the capital until the 17th century.  Upon the Communist takeover, the city was reinstated as the capital.  Eventually, what began as a modest hunting lodge of a local prince became a center for Russian religion, politics, finance, art -- and the military.  Truly, the Kremlin was one of the most beautiful structures of the Renaissance period, and easily the most important in eastern Europe.  