Saints Peter and Paul church at the country palace of count Shuvalov, Orthodox church in Pargolovo, Russia
Saints Peter and Paul Church is a neogothic church building in Pargolovo featuring two symmetrical towers, white limestone walls, and decorative stained glass, now recognized as a federal cultural heritage monument. The interior contains original Orthodox furnishings and sacred relics, maintained today by the Saint Petersburg Diocese.
Countess Varvara Shuvalova commissioned architect Alexander Bryullov to design the church in 1831 as a memorial to her second husband Count Polier. The building survived the Soviet era and was later protected as a heritage site to preserve its architectural and religious legacy.
This church served as a family sanctuary for the Shuvalov estate, where members gathered for prayers and important celebrations within a structure built for private worship. Today it remains a place where local believers and visitors encounter Russian Orthodox tradition expressed through architecture and liturgical practice.
The church is typically accessible during daytime hours and welcomes visitors when services are not taking place. Guests should dress respectfully and be mindful that this remains an active place of worship with regular Orthodox services and prayer.
The renowned composer Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov married Nadezhda Purgold here in 1872, with fellow composer Modest Mussorgsky serving as best man. This connection links the church to a pivotal moment in 19th-century Russian classical music.
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