The gilded spire pierces the St Petersburg sky. A majestic symbol it stands tall. This is the Peter and Paul Cathedral.
The Peter and Paul Cathedral isn’t just a cathedral. It’s the first landmark of St Petersburg. Construction began in 1712 and finished in 1733. It sits within the Peter and Paul Fortress on Hare Island. Peter the Great himself oversaw its creation. Domenico Trezzini designed this architectural masterpiece. The cathedral’s bell tower holds a significant place in history. It’s the tallest Orthodox bell tower in the world. Some even consider the cathedral itself the second tallest Orthodox church. This is because the belfry isn’t separate but forms part of the main building.
The Peter and Paul Cathedral’s design is unique. Trezzini’s Petrine Baroque style is instantly recognizable. The gold-painted spire soars to a height of 123 meters. An angel atop the spire holds a cross. This angel is an iconic symbol of St Petersburg.
The iconostasis within the Peter and Paul Cathedral is unlike others. In most Eastern Orthodox churches the iconostasis is a flat screen. This one rises to form a tower over the sanctuary. It’s a striking visual element. The cathedral also boasts a Flemish carillon a gift from Mechelen Belgium.
The Peter and Paul Cathedral serves a crucial function. It’s the burial place of almost all Russian emperors and empresses. From Peter the Great to Nicholas II and his family their remains rest here. Only Peter II and Ivan VI are buried elsewhere. Peter II is in Moscow’s Cathedral of Michael the Archangel. Ivan VI was executed and buried in either Shlisselburg or Kholmogory. In 2006 Empress Maria Feodorovna was reinterred. This followed an agreement between Denmark and Russia. She was originally buried in Denmark. She wished to be buried next to her husband Alexander III.
The Peter and Paul Cathedral’s bell tower is more than just a spire. It’s an architectural symbol. It’s part of the structure housing the imperial tombs. It also serves as a lightning rod. Tourists can even visit a viewing platform there. Concerts are periodically given using the carillon housed within. During restoration in 1997 workers found a note in a bottle. It was from 1953 renovators. They apologized for rushed work. Nikita Khrushchev wanted the angel refurbished for the city’s 250th anniversary. The 1997 renovators left their own message but its contents are secret.
The carillon’s history is fascinating. Peter the Great was impressed by Dutch carillons. He wanted one for his new cathedral. The bells were initially cast in Amsterdam. In 1756 a fire destroyed them. A replacement was made in Hoorn. The clockmaker died before the tower was rebuilt. The bells were finally installed in 1776. In 2001 a new carillon was gifted to St Petersburg. The Government of Flanders and 350 sponsors provided this. The carillon has 51 bells. It’s a magnificent instrument. The Peter and Paul Cathedral truly is a treasure.