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Aerial photo of the Trinity Cathedral in Saint Petersburg (Russia). photo by A.Savin –

Top 10 Interesting Facts about Trinity Cathedral, Saint Petersburg

Saint Petersburg cathedrals comprise some of the most elegant churches in Russia. Built at the peak of the Russian empire’s wealth and power, when the capital’s churches were as important as palaces to display the eminence and reputation of Russia’s rulers. The magnificent buildings were designed by the city’s greatest architects and no expense was frugal in their construction or decoration.

Trinity Cathedral in Saint Petersburg is the architectural monument of classism. It is one of the most impressive cathedrals in the city due to the five blue domes with glittering golden stars on them. The royal blue domes of the Trinity cathedral dominate the sky.

This statuesque temple can not only be seen from a distance, but it is a monumental church known to every citizen of Saint Petersburg. Renowned for its elegance and grandeur, Trinity cathedral, Saint Petersburg is indeed a sprinkle of noble appearance and grand posture and is truly one of the monumental temple buildings of Saint Petersburg.

Here are the top 10 outstanding facts about Trinity cathedral, saint Petersburg.

1. The cathedral was built between 1828 and 1835

Aerial photo of the Trinity Cathedral in Saint Petersburg (Russia). photo by A.Savin –

Sometimes called the Troitsky Cathedral, in Saint Petersburg, Russia, is a formerly Russian Imperial Army Izmaylovsky regiment Russian orthodox church, an architectural landmark. A late example of the Empire style was built between 1828 and 1845 to a design by Vasily Stasov.

The cathedral is located due south of the Admiralty on Izmaylovsky Prospekt, not far from the Tekhnologichesky Institut metro station

2. The cathedral was consecrated in 1835

The cathedral consecrated May 25, 1835, is a jewel of Saint Petersburg, a unique military ensemble, and a monument of federal significance. After its construction by architect Vasily Stasov between 1828-1835, it was restored twice after the second world war in 1952 -1956 and 1966-1967.

The full name of the cathedral is the Trinity cathedral of the Life-Guards of the Izmailovsky Regiment.

3. It was built for the Czar’s elite guard

Portrait of Colonel of the Life Guards of the Izmailovsky Regiment Nikolai Petrovich Godein photo sourced from

During the mid-18th century, the site now occupied by the cathedral comprised a small church built for the Izmailovsky Regiment, the elite group of soldiers created in 1730 by Empress Anne to personally serve the Russian ruler. The soldiers lived in nearby barracks and since they did not have a permanent base it was decided to erect a field tent and consecrate it as a church.

In 1730 a wooden church was built on this site and Empress Anna presented several priestly robes. In 1754, a new five-domed church (also wooden) was built for the regiment and which survived until 1828.

4. The Cathedral was a small tent while serving  the Izmailovsky

Trinity Cathedral on Izmailovsky Prospekt. Parade of the Life Guards of the Izmailovsky Regiment on June 11, 1850. photo by Vasily Sadovnikov –

Each regiment in Russia used to have its church as well as the Preobrazenskiy regiment, one of the oldest guard regiments the Izmailovsky regiment had a church of its own. Originally it was a small tent which was transformed into a proper large wooden church with two alters consecrated in the name of the saviour of the Trinity.

In 1824 the church was destroyed by the floods. The Trinity Cathedral was rebuilt by the decree of Nicholas. The project was commissioned by the architect Stasov. On May 13, 1825, the construction of the cathedral began.

5. The Trinity cathedral housed the Izmailovsky regiment’s battlefield trophies

The cathedral housed the Izmailovsky regiment’s official colours and battlefield trophies, including keys to the fortresses of Beyazit, Nikopol, Adrianople and more, as well as captured enemy flags. Plaques in memory of regimental officials killed in battle were mounted on the cathedral walls, the cathedral was one of the first regimental cathedrals to have such plaques.

Soldiers who had served in the regiment upon retirement would donate their military medals to the cathedral. When the emperor banned this practice, the medals that had already been donated were melted into a frame for an icon of St. Nicholas the Miracle worker.

6. The cathedral once served as a warehouse

The Soviets closed the cathedral in 1938 and for many years it served various mundane purposes. The basement was used to store vegetables for a nearby market while the rest of the building served as a warehouse.

There were plans to replace the cathedral with a tram depot and later to convert it into a conservatory hall. However, these plans never came to fruition and after the fall of communism, the cathedral’s restoration finally began.

7. The cathedral has five domes in the shape of a hemisphere

Dome of the Holy Trinity Cathedral — Trinity-Izmailovsky domes photo by Edgar El –

The Trinity cathedral is a tall white church with five blue domes in the shape of a hemisphere, studded with bronze stars and golden crosses. According to a legend, the colours of the domes were chosen by Izmailovo Regiment’s uniforms.

The main dome of the cathedral is visible from a distance of nearly 20 kilometres. Small domes are located above the columns of the porticoes of the Corinthian order. There are place bronze figures of angels by sculptor S. Galberg in the niches of the western portal.

8. It  has the second largest wooden dome in Europe

Dome of Trinity Cathedral in St Petersburg View from north-west photo by Dmitry Ivanov. –

Empress Maria laid the first stone of the current cathedral’s foundation in 1828 and construction was personally paid for by her husband, Emperor Nicholas I, who was the regiment commander. He decreed that the building be modelled on the same design as its wooden predecessor.

Nicholas, I supervised the entire project and his wishes of building the cathedral with five domes were carried out by the architect. Before construction, the emperor ordered the domes to be painted blue with stars the same as the Archangel cathedral in Moscow.

The Cathedral’s main dome is Europe’s second largest wooden dome.

9. The cathedral has monuments used to celebrate Russo-Turkish Victory

A golden laurel wreath, Hellenistic era. photo by Jebulon –

In 1886, Emperor Alexander III unveiled the column of Glory to commemorate the victory in the Russo-Turkish war of 1877-1878. The column stands in front of the cathedral and was made from the barrels of 108 Turkish cannons seized as trophies. 

On top of it was a winged figure of Victory holding a laurel wreath, next to the monument were captured Turkish artillery pieces. In the 1930s, the monument was dismantled and melted only in 2005 was the column of Glory restored and returned to its original spot.

10. It’s reconstruction work lasted over 20 years

A major fire broke out in the cathedral causing considerable damage to the dome. The Reconstruction required special building techniques to be devised and surviving photos ensured recreating the main chandelier was possible.

After 21 years the restoration of one of St Petersburg’s massive cathedrals was finally completed.