Chiesa Russa, Eastern Orthodox church in Sanremo, Italy.
The Chiesa Russa is an Eastern Orthodox church in Sanremo with a central dome and four smaller gilded domes, all topped with Russian three-arm crosses. The interior features a large nave, a semicircular apse, and an iconostasis that divides the space into distinct areas.
Construction began following visits from Tsarina Maria Alexandrovna in the 1870s, which drew Russian aristocratic families to the city. Many sought relief from tuberculosis in the mild Mediterranean climate during that era.
The church draws its name from Russian Orthodox tradition and serves as a gathering place for the local Orthodox community. Visitors notice how the large iconostasis with three doors shapes the interior space in ways quite different from Western churches.
The church is located in central Sanremo and is easily accessible on foot, with religious services held for the Orthodox community on weekends. Visitors should be aware that access may be limited during services.
The crypt originally served as a burial site for Montenegrin nobility, who rested here for many years before their remains were returned to Montenegro in 1989. This chapter closed an important part of the building's history.
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