Church of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin

The Church of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin is a neoclassical structure built in white stone with symmetrical proportions and classical architectural details. The building features a prominent cupola and regular fenestration that gives it a harmonious appearance.

A fire destroyed the original wooden church in 1822, leading to the construction of this stone building in 1837. The church remains the oldest surviving structure in the city.

The building served Soviet authorities in various roles, functioning as storage space, a museum of atheism, and even a planetarium for public education. These transformations reflect how the community adapted religious spaces to changing political demands.

The church stands on Soborna Street and welcomes visitors while functioning primarily as an active place of worship. The building underwent restoration work in the 1980s that returned it to religious use after decades of alternative purposes.

The building once housed an unusual motorcycle display called The Vertical before returning to religious purposes. This curious episode illustrates the remarkable transformations the structure experienced during its lifetime.