Peter and Paul Cathedral

​I want to tell you about the beautiful location of the Peter and Paul Cathedral in St. Petersburg, Russia. The elegant golden silhouette of Peter and Paul Cathedral is a symbol of St Petersburg that is easy to recognize. Lots of city legends and historical facts are linked to this place. The cathedral occupies the central area in the whole ensemble of Peter and Paul Fortress; it’s actually the most beautiful building there.

​The cathedral was never a place for engagements or epiphany, and only the funeral service for the Imperial family members and the fortress commandants took place there. All were first buried in the cathedral and later in the special Grand Ducal Burial Vault.
 
The dominant of the inside interior is a gorgeous carved iconostasis with standing figures at front –  Peter, Paul and 4 evangelists. The iconostasis was created by architect Zarudny and painters T. Ivanov and I. Telega. It partly reminds a Triumphal Arch, since the Emperor planned the cathedral to be as a monument to the victories of Russian army. The keys from the captured cities, Swedish and Turkish banners were kept. Nowadays, most of them can be found in the Hermitage, while there are only copies in the cathedral. The visitors of the cathedral can climb the bell tower and watch the panorama view. All members of the Romanov dynasty are numbered among the saints-martyrs, so this cathedral became a place of pilgrimage for Christians in Russia.  I cannot describe the feelings that gripped me as soon as I crossed the threshold of the Peter and Paul Cathedral.  This is not only silence and pacification, but also some kind of strange feeling.  The interior decoration was simply unrealistically beautiful.
 
I want to summarize my review by the fact that this place is definitely worth visiting because it is a kind of symbol of St. Petersburg. 

Author,

This picture and reflection on Saint Peter and Paul cathedral was sent in by  Арина Журба