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In the 19th century, the Palace of the Facets, along with the Terem Palace, was incorporated into the Great Kremlin Palace. Named after its distinctive stonework facade, the Palace of the Facets is all that is left of a larger royal palace, commissioned by Ivan III in 1485 and finished six years later. The Palace of the Facets is the work of two Italian architects, Marco Ruffo and Pietro Solario . The first floor of the Palace of the Facets consists of the main hall and adjoining Sacred Vestibule. Both are decorated with rich frescoes and gilded carvings. The splendid vaulted main hall has an area of about 500 sq m (5,380 sq ft). It was the throne room and banqueting hall of the tsars and is now used for holding receptions.

On the palace's southern facade is the Red Staircase. The tsars passed down this staircase on their way to the Cathedral of the Dormition for their coronations. The last such procession was at the coronation of Nicholas II in 1896. In the Streltsy Rebellion of 1682 several of Peter the Great's relatives were hurled down the Red Staircase onto the pikes of the Streltsy guard.

Demolished by Stalin in the 1930sCenturies: 19th century 20th century 21st century Decades: 1880s 1890s 1900s 1910s 1920s 1930s 1940s 1950s 1960s 1970s 1980s Years: 1930 1931 1932 1933 1934 1935 1936 1937 1938 1939 Events and trends Technology Jet engine invented Link Trainer invented Sc, the staircase was rebuilt in 19941994 is a common year starting on Saturday, and was designated the International year of the Family''. Events January events January 1 North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) goes into effect January 6 Nancy Kerrigan is clubbed on the right leg by an at great expense.