Saint Isaac's Cathedral, a Must-See Attraction in Saint Petersburg, Ru
Saint Isaac's Cathedral is a magnificent Eastern Orthodox cathedral located in Saint Petersburg, Russia. It is not only the largest church in the city but also one of the largest domed structures in the world. The cathedral is often referred to as one of the four major basilicas of the world, alongside St. Peter's Basilica in Vatican City, St. Paul's Cathedral in London, and the Florence Cathedral in Florence. 🏗️ Construction of Saint Isaac's Cathedral began in 1818 and took 40 years to complete, finishing in 1858. Named after Peter the Great's patron saint, Saint Isaac of Dalmatia, the cathedral is a grand example of Orthodox architecture and is considered the pinnacle of late Russian classicism. The interior is adorned with a vast array of rare colored stones and gold, with the external gilding of the dome alone using 100 kilograms of gold. The cathedral can accommodate up to 14,000 people, stands at a height of 101.5 meters, has a dome diameter of 22.15 meters, and the entire structure weighs 300,000 tons. 💰 The exterior walls are faced with grey marble, while the interior is decorated with colored marbles, malachite, lapis lazuli, and other precious minerals. Each of the four sides of the cathedral features 16 massive granite columns, each weighing 120 tons, which are paired to support the carved pediments. During World War II, the cathedral suffered severe damage, and it took over two decades after the war to restore it to its current state. Despite this, the dome still shines brightly, radiating splendor. ☦️ Saint Isaac's Cathedral is not only a place of worship but also a famous tourist attraction. Visitors can purchase tickets to enter the cathedral and explore its interior, or opt for a rooftop ticket to climb up to the top platform via iron stairs, offering a panoramic view of Saint Petersburg. The cathedral is open daily from 10:00 to 18:00, except on Wednesdays. The rooftop opening hours vary by season, fully open from May to November, and closed on the third Wednesday of each month from November to May. 🏰 As an iconic structure in Saint Petersburg, Saint Isaac's Cathedral's grandeur and splendor bear witness to Russia's religious and cultural history, making it an indispensable part of understanding the city for visitors. 💣 During World War II, Saint Isaac's Cathedral suffered significant damage and took over two decades to restore to its former glory. Despite the restoration, the marble columns outside the cathedral still bear the scars of war. These marks were left intentionally unrestored as a reminder of history. Next to one of the columns hangs a copper plate that reads: "This is the evidence left by one of the 148,478 shells fired by German fascists from 1941 to 1944." These scars and the copper plate together tell the story of Saint Isaac's Cathedral during the war and serve as a warning for peace. #RussianTourism #SaintPetersburg #Church #SaintIsaacCathedral #OrthodoxChurch #ArchitecturalArt