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In the late 17th century, the Western European Baroque style of architecture combined with traditional Russian architecture to form a unique style, known as Muscovite or Naryshkin Baroque. This style is called Muscovite Baroque as it was only found within Moscow and the surrounding areas. It is more commonly referred to as Naryshkin Baroque, as the first church built in this style was built on one of the Naryshkin family's estates.

This style of architecture was contrasted with Petrine Baroque, which was favored by Peter the Great in St. Petersburg. The contrast of these two styles are exemplified by the color, form, scale, and the choice of materials. The St. Peter and Paul Cathedral, in St. Petersburg, and the Menshikov Tower, in Moscow, are notable examples of the Petrine Baroque style.

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The first church built in this style was the Church of the Intercession of the Holy Virgin in the village of Fili, that was built on the estate of the Naryshkin family of Moscow boyars. The member of this family that is most related with this style of architecture is Lev Krillovich Naryshkin, who is the uncle of Peter I. L.K. Naryshkin erected this first church with the help of an architect, who is presumed to be Yakov Bukhvostov. This church became the staple of the Naryshkin Baroque style and inspired the building of other churches in this style.

The churches that were built in the Naryshkin Baroque style were often built in red brick, which differed them from other architecture of the time. They were also thoroughly decorated with details in white stone. The structure of the building was also different from anything else being built in Russia at the time. This style of architecture was classified as "under the bell" or "under the ring"(Ru. под звоном). Temples that are "under the bell" mean that the bell tower is placed on top of the main volume, instead of next to the building as was common in the 17th century.

The bell towers were often built in the shape of an octagon, with the main volume of the building being a quadrangle. This "octagon on quadrangle" shape was a classic baroque composition among temples. The temple. The trim of the border around the windows were decorated, as on all Baroque style temples. Cupolas replaced the hipped roof, that was popular previously in Russian architecture. These placed upon a high drum created a feeling of altitude and created an impression of a variety of forms.

The design for octagon on quadrangle churches was originally believed to have been taken from Ukrainian Baroque architecture, but further research proved that that wasn't true, as the first church built in this style was in Russia.

This style continually spread to architecture that wasn't only churches and many monasteries remodeled themselves in this style, as it was the latest fashion. The most notable examples of these were the Novodevichy Convent and the Donskoy Monastery in Moscow. Outside of Moscow there is Krutitsy, Metochion and Solotcha Cloister, that are near Riazan. Other, non-religious, architecture adopted this style as well, seen in the Sukharev Tower in Moscow.

In the 1730's the Naryshkin Baroque style's high point ended and it evolved into the Rastrelliesque, or the Elizabethan Baroque style.