At the intersection of Izmailovsky and Trinity Avenue stands the bright and memorable Trinity (Izmailovsky) Cathedral. Once you see this architectural landmark, you'll undoubtedly recognize it in the future. Today, we'll take a stroll around the cathedral building and later explore its interior.
How to Get There by Metro
The cathedral's address is Izmailovsky Avenue, 7a. The nearest metro station is "Tekhnologichesky Institut," and it takes about ten minutes on foot from there.
The cathedral is still active, and entrance to the building is free.
A Bit of History
The majestic cathedral was built on the site of a wooden church that was established during the reign of Empress Elizabeth Petrovna. The stone building, designed in the late Neoclassical style, was constructed between 1828 and 1835 by architect Vasily Petrovich Stasov, known for projects like the Narva and Moscow Triumphal Gates. A bust of the architect stands near the cathedral.
The Trinity Cathedral was built for the Izmailovsky Guards Regiment, which dates back to the 1730s. The regiment's barracks were once located on both sides of Izmailovsky Avenue. On the cathedral's official website, you can find its full name: the Cathedral of the Holy Life-Giving Trinity of the Izmailovsky Guards Regiment. Locals, however, simply refer to it as the Trinity or Izmailovsky Cathedral.
The most memorable architectural feature of the cathedral is its bright domes. By order of Emperor Nicholas I, the green paint was replaced with light blue and golden stars. During the construction, a tragic incident occurred when the dome's finial with the cross and copper roof were blown off by the wind. The new dome was designed by a different specialist. In modern times, the domes of the cathedral were damaged again in a fire.
In 1886, a monument in the form of a column with a figure of Victory was erected near the cathedral to commemorate the victory in the Russo-Turkish War. The column's shaft consisted of fragments from 140 enemy cannons. The monument was destroyed in the late 1920s and restored in the early 21st century.
In 1894, on the opposite side of Izmailovsky Avenue, a chapel dedicated to Saint Alexander Nevsky was built. The chapel's construction was linked to the rescue of Emperor Alexander III and his family after a train crash while traveling from Crimea to St. Petersburg. The chapel's design was by architect S. P. Kondratiev.
During the Soviet era, the cathedral was closed, and its interior was destroyed. There were plans to demolish the building or turn it into a crematorium, but in reality, it was used as a warehouse for a long time. Since 1990, the cathedral has been returned to the faithful.
Since I started my blog about the history and architecture of St. Petersburg, I've published several articles on interesting religious buildings in the city. One of the most popular topics was a story about the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church on Vasilyevsky Island. I invite you to take a virtual tour of this fascinating building with me.
Have a nice trip!
