1994A&AS..106..161B

CCD photometry in the VRI and Gunn z bands was obtained for the populous bulge globular cluster NGC 6356. The analysis of the red giant branch indicates that it is metal-rich, intermediate between 47 Tuc and NGC 6528; we estimate [Fe/H]≃-0.4. The red giant clump is clearly detected. The horizontal branch morphology is red and compact. We derive a reddening of E(B-V)=0.24±0.04 and a distance d=15.0±0.4kpc from the Sun. We also present VI colour magnitude diagrams of 47 Tuc for comparison. NGC 6356 and 47 Tuc are important reference objects for studies of more reddened metal-rich bulge clusters.