Hello to all! The palace and park amsemble, which I told you about earlier, is famous for its unique architecture. But among the numerous ancient architecture, the Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul stands out. This building was built in the distant 18th century on the initiative of Count Nikolai Rumyantsev. The building looks majestic, especially in snowy weather.
The famous English architect John Clarke became the author of the Peter and Paul Cathedral. This architect is the representative of the classicism style in Belarus, who arrived in the country at the request of Rumyantsev. Gomel Cathedral was built by him in the neoclassical style. The main building material of the building is brick.
The height of the Peter and Paul Cathedral is 25 meters. For the 18th century, it was a fairly high building, the top of which could be seen from the far corners of the palace and park complex. The tower of the temple has bells that ring on sacred holidays.
The most delightful view of the temple opens next to the tomb tower, about which I made a separate post. Excellent architectural composition.
In addition to the tomb tower, the temple is surrounded by other small buildings in the style of classicism and neoclassicism. Each of these buildings has a specific function. For example an administrative building.
Or a small but roomy prayer house, which is used as a place for the baptism of infants.
Other architectural landmarks are located on the territory of the Peter and Paul Cathedral. For example, a monument to Hieromartyr Mitrofan, the first bishop of Gomel.
In addition, a miniature exposition of the lost Belarusian churches is located nearby. Each of them is a short history of places of worship and Orthodox architecture. I think this place deserves special attention and a separate post.
In most cases, church architecture has an interesting but tragic history. In the case of the Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul, this is no exception. One of the most interesting historical facts is that the ashes of the initiator of its creation, Rumyantsev, are buried in this place. He died in St. Petersburg, but was transported to Gomel. According to his spiritual testament, to be buried in "his beloved Gomel, in the cathedral built by him."
I dared to go inside the building to take some photos. Outside, there was an interesting, but not ambiguous, wooden box with a message that read: "by sacrifice, you get." This is a donation box.
As soon as I finished admiring the many interior elements, I started taking pictures. The interior looks truly majestic and is painted with biblical frescoes. But I managed to take only one photo, when the priest forbade me to do it, since it was the time of one of the holidays. Although I do not quite understand this prohibition for amateur filming. Anyway, look at this ....
During the revolution, which was made by the famous historical character - Lenin, the temple fell into decay. The new government categorically obstructed the spread of the Faith and closed and destroyed churches. The Peter and Paul Cathedral was first redesigned and later closed.
The temple was opened only during the German occupation of Gomel in 1940. But 20 years later, the Peter and Paul Cathedral was closed again and turned into a planetarium. A long-suffering place. But in the 1980s, services were resumed again and the cathedral returned to its original function.
I am always amazed at the architecture and places that have had many historical events. Time makes ancient cathedrals, the same as wine ... they become more and more piquant and valuable.
Architecture is art, history is pages of the past. The combination of history and architecture creates wonders of perception. Once again, I got aesthetic and mental pleasure. I hope that the Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul has brought you positive emotions.
Photo information:
Author:
Camera: Xiaomi Redmi note 9 pro
Location: Gomel, Belarus
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