Peter and Paul Cathedral - architectural

The Peter and Paul Cathedral, located on the territory of the fortress with the same name, is the most important sight of the Northern capital, and its visit is included in many sightseeing tours around the city on the Neva. Built in the style of the Petrine Baroque, the temple was erected on the project of architect Domenico Trezzini, and its construction was completed in 1733.

History : the majestic Cathedral of Sts. Peter and Paul appeared on the site of a wooden church founded in 1703, which appeared on the territory of the Hare Island at the same time as the impregnable earthen ramparts were created. After solemn consecration in June 1733, the church stood in its original form for slightly more than twenty years, since in 1756 its building was damaged due to a fire caused by a lightning strike. The spire of the cathedral, as well as the chimes located on the facade of the church, were severely damaged by the fire, and only after twenty years a new mechanical watch appeared on the building. They were performed by the outstanding Dutch master O. Kross, and the chimes played the national anthem of the Russian State every hour.

The Peter and Paul Cathedral was often visited by members of the imperial family, and the tsar was often present at the requiems. And inside the temple was created the royal tomb, where the remains of members of the imperial family rested, beginning with Peter the Great. Since 1865, ancient tombstones have been replaced by similar white marble sarcophagi, on which are carved gilded crosses.

Since 1924, the majestic Peter and Paul Cathedral has become a museum, but many valuable items, including rare books and silver utensils, were transferred to other museum collections. Divine services in the magnificent temple began to be held again only since 1990, but the cathedral still has not lost the status of the museum, and unique collections for the convenience of visitors are gathered in its separate hall.

Interior : The Peter and Paul Cathedral in St. Petersburg attracts visitors due to the luxurious interior, and the interior decoration resembles the decoration of the halls of the royal palace. Pylons painted under natural marble, demarcate the inner space of the temple into three separate naves. On the walls of the building you can see religious paintings made by painters G. Gzel, M. A. Zakharov and A. Matveev, A.Kwadri and I. Rossi worked on the stucco decor, but a real "pearl" is the carved iconostasis.

It stands out thanks to the elegance of lines and lightness, as well as the bright gilding characteristic of the Baroque style. All the icons for the luxurious iconostasis were performed by the Moscow master A.Pospelov. And opposite the altar visitors of the best church in the city on the Neva can see a beautiful gilded chair, which is adorned with sculptures of two angels. Tsar's place is symmetrical to her, and for its design was used crimson velvet, where the embroidered double-headed eagle and gilt carved crown.

Belfry : visiting the Peter and Paul Cathedral, you should pay attention to the majestic bell tower with a height of 122.5 meters, crowned by a thin golden spire, adorned with an unusual figure of a flying angel. The spire of the high bell tower was erected by the Dutchman G. van Boles, and after the weathervane was damaged in 1829 during a severe storm, restoration work was entrusted to the roofer Petro Telushkin.

To climb to the top of the sharp spire, the master used only a rope, so the emperor awarded the bold roofer for courage. So, he was allowed to drink absolutely free of charge in any tavern of the Russian State. In 1858, the wooden structures that were part of the spire were decided to be replaced by reliable metal elements. According to the design of the architect Zhuravsky, the structure was rebuilt in the form of a truncated octagonal pyramid, which was connected by means of rings.