Naval Cathedral in Kronstadt, Eastern Orthodox cathedral in Kronstadt, Russia
The Naval Cathedral in Kronstadt is an Eastern Orthodox cathedral on Kotlin Island in the Baltic Sea, built in Neo-Byzantine style with Art Nouveau influences. Its facades are made of black granite, the load-bearing walls of yellow brick, and the dome reaches a height of 70 meters (230 feet).
Architect Vasily Kosyakov began construction in 1903, and Tsar Nicholas II consecrated the cathedral ten years later. From 1929 to 2005, the building served secular purposes before returning to the church.
The cathedral is dedicated to Saint Nicholas of Myra, the patron saint of seafarers in Orthodox tradition. Naval officers and their families attend services here, maintaining the connection between sea and faith.
The cathedral stands at Yakornaya Square in the center of Kronstadt and is open to visitors during service hours and on certain days of the week. Inside, shoulders and knees should be covered, and women often wear a headscarf.
The cathedral can hold more than 5000 worshippers, making it one of the largest Orthodox churches in the world. During Soviet times, it served as a cinema and concert hall, with the interior heavily altered.
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