Chiesa Russa, Eastern Orthodox church in Sanremo, Italy.
The Chiesa Russa is a Russian Orthodox brick church in Sanremo, built in the Russian Revival style, with one central dome and four smaller gilded domes, each topped with a Russian three-bar cross. Inside, the building has a wide nave, a semicircular apse, and an iconostasis that divides the worship space.
The church was built in the late 19th century after Russian aristocratic families, drawn by visits from Tsarina Maria Alexandrovna, began spending time in Sanremo for the mild Mediterranean climate. As the Russian presence in the city grew, the need for a dedicated place of worship became clear.
The church follows the Russian Orthodox rite, which becomes apparent as soon as you step inside and notice how the space is divided. The iconostasis with its three doors separates the nave from the altar area, a layout very different from what most Western visitors are used to.
The church sits in central Sanremo and is easy to reach on foot from most parts of the city center. Visiting outside of service times gives you the best chance to look around freely inside, as access during liturgies may be limited.
The church's crypt served for many years as the resting place of Montenegrin nobles. Their remains were returned to Montenegro in 1989, closing a chapter that most visitors walking through the building today know nothing about.
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