The northern altar was consecrated in honour of St Demetrius of Rostov and St Theodosius of Chernigov, and the southern altar in honour of the Beheading of St John the Baptist. The main shrine of the church is dedicated to St Nicholas the Wonderworker, and houses his relics (donated by the Metropolitan of the Lebanese Mountains) alongside a 17th century icon of St Nicholas (donated by Greek soldiers). The Lower Church has a more austere appearance but is no less impressive, with vaulted ceilings and remarkable icons painted by the Kolokolnikov brothers covering the walls. From the pulpit, royal decrees and announcements of victories of the Russian fleet were read. Opposite the iconostasis is the Tsar’s Place where the Russian emperors prayed, which is decorated with red velvet. Columns and vines frame the iconostasis, and the royal doors leading through the iconostasis resemble golden lace. The Upper Church’s iconostasis glorifies the Russian state, showcasing patron saints of Russia’s tsars and tsarinas, and even an image of St Peter with the likeness of Peter the Great. The best painters in St Petersburg, the Kolokolnikov brothers, were commissioned to fill the ornately carved iconostasis created by master Ignatiy Kanaev their icons merged traditional techniques with secular Western European painting styles. Also present are memorial plaques with the names of fallen sailors. The Imperial Russian coat of arms adorns the central dome. White Corinthian columns and arches are embellished with carvings, gold-framed icons line the walls, and copper chandeliers hang from the ceiling. The interior is palatial, and large enough to accommodate 5,000 worshippers. The Upper Church of the St Nicholas Naval Cathedral is consecrated in honour of the Epiphany. The sky-blue walls of the cathedral are punctuated with balconies and white Corinthian columns, rendering it more similar to a palace than a church! Upper Church The Naval Cathedral was built in the form of an equal-sided cross overlaid with a square, its corners and centre crowned with tiered towers and golden cupolas. Savva Chevakinsky’s five-domed design marked a return to traditional Orthodox architecture, and is merged with Elizabethan Baroque style which lends the cathedral an opulent appearance. The St Nicholas Naval Cathedral has been beautifully preserved for two and a half centuries. Photo by Express to Russia staff Architecture Square and gardens: Outside the cathedral are a small square and garden, bordered by rivers and offering picturesque views, with plenty of spots to relax.The interior comprises two churches, whose walls are lined with precious icons The bell tower is one of St Petersburg’s landmark structures. Architecture and design: The cathedral’s opulent architecture merges traditional Orthodox and Elizabethan Baroque styles.What can you see at the St Nicholas Naval Cathedral? The construction of the cathedral was entrusted to Savva Ivanovich Chevakinsky, and it was erected between 17. ![]() The chapel was replaced by a wooden church in 1743, and then by a stone church in 1752, constructed on the initiative of Prince Mikhail Golitsyn and Empress Elizaveta Petrovna to honour the glory of the Russian fleet. This included a small chapel established on the outskirts of the new city, which was beautifully decorated and consecrated in honour of St Nicholas the Wonderworker, patron saint of sailors. History of St Nicholas Naval Cathedral Imperial RussiaĪs Russia’s naval capital, St Petersburg was centred around the Admiralty shipyard, and various churches were built nearby in the early 1700s to serve the shipyard’s workers and officers. Tucked away in a quieter area of the city and encircled by waterways and historic streets, the cathedral is not only a historical and religious monument, but one of the most beautiful and romantic spots in St Petersburg. ![]() ![]() ![]() The St Nicholas Naval Cathedral is dedicated to the glory of the Russian fleet, and recognisable for the golden cupolas crowning its sky-blue walls. In particular, the cathedral made an enormous contribution to the war effort Although the St Nicholas Naval Cathedral suffered continuous persecution throughout the Soviet period, it did not cease its activities.Russian naval victories were celebrated here from then on, complete with parades and fireworks The St Nicholas Naval Cathedral was commissioned by Catherine the Great to honour the Russian fleet.What is the history of the St Nicholas Naval Cathedral?
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