You can't really appreciate this vast Gothic building without taking into account its history. It's had a rough ride since its beginnings in 1487, having been ruined by fire three times, suffering the wrath of the Moscow army during the war of 1656-1659 and then having a bit of a rest during the 18th century before Napoleon turned it into a warehouse. During the Soviet occupation the church was used to store medicine and was returned to the Friars in 1993 in a pretty shabby condition. The restoration of its outstanding Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque interior has been a slow process.