When it was built in 1158. gilded decorative friezes, carved reliefs and multi-colored frescos graced its outer walls. Everything was destroyed in the great fire in 1185. That fire changed the face of the Cathedral, but the Cathedral remained a wonderful masterpiece and still retained its beauty. It survived the next great fire when Mongol-Tatars trapped all the prince's family in the cathedral and set it on fire.It had been the principal church where princes of ancient Russia were crowned. In those times Vladimir had been the capital of Russia. The Cathedral retained its privileges for a long time after Vladimir lost its power and influence to rulers of Moscow, who took the title of grand-prince.