Believe it or not, this is only just over 100 years old. After the war, the soviets wanted to demolish it because communism is a strictly atheist philosophy. However, this was just after they destroyed Hitler's headquarters, which the world was not happy with (presumably they wanted it to stand as a memorial or reminder of some sort, or at least be involved in it's destruction). The works also did not like the idea of this building being destroyed, so the soviets backed off their plan and here it is. Surprisingly little damage from the war.