Kazan Cathedral or Kazanskiy Kafedralniy Sobor (Russian: Каза́нский кафедра́льный собо́р), also known as the Cathedral of Our Lady of Kazan, is a cathedral of the Russian Orthodox Church on the Nevsky Prospekt in Saint Petersburg. It is dedicated to Our Lady of Kazan, one of the most venerated icons in Russia. Construction of the cathedral started in 1801 and continued for ten years under the supervision of Alexander Sergeyevich Stroganov. Upon its completion in 1811, the new temple replaced the Church of Nativity of the Theotokos, which was disassembled when the Kazan Cathedral was consecrated. The architect Andrey Voronikhin. modelled the building on St. Peter's Basilica in Rome. Some art historians assert that Emperor Paul (reigned 1796-1801) intended to build a similar church on the other side of Nevsky Prospect that would mirror the Kazan Cathedral, but such plans failed to materialize.[citation needed] Although the Russian Orthodox Church strongly disapproved of the plans to create a replica of a Catholic basilica in Russia's then capital, several courtiers supported Voronikhin's Empire Style design. After Napoleon invaded Russia (1812) and the commander-in-chief General Mikhail Kutuzov asked Our Lady of Kazan for help, the church's purpose altered. The Patriotic War over, Russians saw the cathedral primarily as a memorial to their victory over Napoleon. Kutuzov himself was interred in the cathedral in 1813; and Alexander Pushkin wrote celebrated lines meditating over his sepulchre. In 1815 keys to seventeen cities and eight fortresses were brought by the victorious Russian army from Europe and placed in the cathedral's sacristy. In 1837, Boris Orlovsky designed two bronze statues of Kutuzov and of Barclay de Tolly which stand in front of the cathedral. In 1876 the Kazan demonstration, the first political demonstration in Russia, took place in front of the church. After the Russian Revolution of 1917 the authorities closed the cathedral (January 1932). In November 1932 it reopened as the pro-Marxist "Museum of the History of Religion and Atheism". or, as one contemporary writer put it more baldly, "Leningrad's largest antireligious museum", complete with Spanish Inquisition waxworks. Services resumed in 1992, and four years later the cathedral was returned to the Russian Orthodox Church. As of 2017 it functions as the mother cathedral of the metropolis of St. Petersburg. The cathedral's interior, with its numerous columns, echoes the exterior colonnade and is reminiscent of a palatial hall, being 69 metres in length and 62 metres in height. The interior features numerous sculptures and icons created by the best Russian artists of the day. A wrought-iron grille separating the cathedral from a small square behind it is sometimes cited as one of the finest ever constructed. The cathedral's huge bronze doors are one of four copies of the original doors of the Baptistery in Florence, Italy (the other three are at Grace Cathedral in San Francisco, United States, at the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art in Kansas City, United States, and at the Florence Baptistery itself). The Kazan Cathedral is considered to be the model for the neoclassical style of Helsinki Cathedral, one of the most iconic landmarks of Helsinki, Finland
Cathedral of Our Lady of Kazan (Kazansky Sobor) Tours and Tickets
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Kazan Cathedral or Kazanskiy Kafedralniy Sobor (Russian: Каза́нский кафедра́льный собо́р), also known as the Cathedral of Our Lady of Kazan, is a cathedral of the Russian Orthodox Church on the Nevsky Prospekt in Saint Petersburg. It is dedicated to Our Lady of Kazan, one of the most venerated icons in Russia. Construction of the cathedral started in 1801 and continued for ten years under the supervision of Alexander Sergeyevich Stroganov. Upon its completion in 1811, the new temple replaced the Church of Nativity of the Theotokos, which was disassembled when the Kazan Cathedral was consecrated. The architect Andrey Voronikhin. modelled the building on St. Peter's Basilica in Rome. Some art historians assert that Emperor Paul (reigned 1796-1801) intended to build a similar church on the other side of Nevsky Prospect that would mirror the Kazan Cathedral, but such plans failed to materialize.[citation needed] Although the Russian Orthodox Church strongly disapproved of the plans to create a replica of a Catholic basilica in Russia's then capital, several courtiers supported Voronikhin's Empire Style design. After Napoleon invaded Russia (1812) and the commander-in-chief General Mikhail Kutuzov asked Our Lady of Kazan for help, the church's purpose altered. The Patriotic War over, Russians saw the cathedral primarily as a memorial to their victory over Napoleon. Kutuzov himself was interred in the cathedral in 1813; and Alexander Pushkin wrote celebrated lines meditating over his sepulchre. In 1815 keys to seventeen cities and eight fortresses were brought by the victorious Russian army from Europe and placed in the cathedral's sacristy. In 1837, Boris Orlovsky designed two bronze statues of Kutuzov and of Barclay de Tolly which stand in front of the cathedral. In 1876 the Kazan demonstration, the first political demonstration in Russia, took place in front of the church. After the Russian Revolution of 1917 the authorities closed the cathedral (January 1932). In November 1932 it reopened as the pro-Marxist "Museum of the History of Religion and Atheism". or, as one contemporary writer put it more baldly, "Leningrad's largest antireligious museum", complete with Spanish Inquisition waxworks. Services resumed in 1992, and four years later the cathedral was returned to the Russian Orthodox Church. As of 2017 it functions as the mother cathedral of the metropolis of St. Petersburg. The cathedral's interior, with its numerous columns, echoes the exterior colonnade and is reminiscent of a palatial hall, being 69 metres in length and 62 metres in height. The interior features numerous sculptures and icons created by the best Russian artists of the day. A wrought-iron grille separating the cathedral from a small square behind it is sometimes cited as one of the finest ever constructed. The cathedral's huge bronze doors are one of four copies of the original doors of the Baptistery in Florence, Italy (the other three are at Grace Cathedral in San Francisco, United States, at the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art in Kansas City, United States, and at the Florence Baptistery itself). The Kazan Cathedral is considered to be the model for the neoclassical style of Helsinki Cathedral, one of the most iconic landmarks of Helsinki, Finland
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For Individuals with Hearing Loss
- Hearing kits
Accessibility for wheels
- Access with Portable Ramp
- Can have severe slope, cobblestones, and/or gravel
- Bathroom: Too narrow for wheelchair
- Wide doors >= 75 cm and < 90 cm
Access for Visually Impaired
- Service animals permitted
Come along with me as we step into the hushed grandeur of St. Petersburg's Kazansky Sobor.
The heavy main doors yield with a low, resonant groan, instantly dimming the city's clamor into a distant hum. Inside, the air wraps around you, cool and still, carrying the immediate, potent embrace of sweet, ancient incense – a comforting, smoky resin that clings to the very fabric of the vast space. Your footsteps, once brisk on the pavement, now echo softly on the smooth, cool marble floor, slowing to a reverent shuffle. A low, continuous murmur of hushed voices floats from the far reaches, punctuated by the occasional scrape of a kneeling worshipper or the quiet clink of coins. The atmosphere isn't silent, but rather a symphony of restrained sounds, all amplified by the immense, vaulted ceiling. You might feel a subtle draft, a gentle breath of air stirring the ever-present scent of beeswax and old stone. It’s a profound, enveloping stillness that encourages a slower breath, a deeper sense of awe.
Until next time, keep exploring with all your senses!
The approach to Kazansky Sobor features wide, paved walkways, though some sections of the surrounding square include uneven cobblestone. Inside, the grand hall offers ample width for movement, but minor thresholds are present at chapel entrances. Interior slopes are gentle, yet high visitor numbers, particularly near central altars, can impede navigation. Staff are generally accommodating, making the cathedral broadly manageable for wheelchair users with assistance.
Hello, fellow explorers! Ready for a glimpse into the soul of St. Petersburg?
Stepping onto Nevsky Prospekt, the Kazan Cathedral’s embrace of curving colonnades is instantly captivating. While visitors marvel at its Romanesque grandeur, locals quietly know it as a sturdy, silent sentinel, its stones echoing not just prayers but the solemn triumph of 1812. It’s more than an architectural wonder; it’s a living memorial, where the air around Kutuzov’s tomb carries a hushed reverence, a feeling of enduring national spirit that’s almost palpable. For many, those sweeping arms offer a pragmatic shelter from an unexpected shower or a convenient, landmark meeting point amidst the city’s bustle, a familiar anchor in their daily rhythm.
Inside, beyond the glittering iconostasis, the true heartbeat of the cathedral reveals itself. Forget the guidebooks; locals notice the persistent, comforting scent of beeswax and old wood, a fragrance that has settled into the very fabric of the space over centuries. They perceive the soft, filtered light that bathes the ancient icons, not as a visual spectacle, but as a gentle caress, illuminating a profound, quiet devotion. It’s in the low murmur of genuine prayer, the rhythmic sway of a worshipper, or the soft glow of a newly lit candle that the cathedral truly breathes—a living sanctuary, deeply woven into the city's quiet spiritual fabric.
Happy travels, and may your adventures be filled with such subtle discoveries!
Begin at the central entrance, letting the grand sweep of the nave immediately impress. Bypass the initial side chapels; their details are less central than the main icon's presence. Save the revered Our Lady of Kazan icon, positioned prominently, for your final focus. Note the unique scent of beeswax and incense, and the palpable quiet reverence despite crowds.
Visit early morning on weekdays, ideally before 10 AM, to avoid peak crowds. Allocate 45-60 minutes to explore the interior and observe the exterior colonnade. Public restrooms and numerous cafes are available along Nevsky Prospekt, just steps away. Dress modestly, covering shoulders and knees; photography is allowed without flash.