2012, SEPTEMBER 4: RUSSIA, ST. PETERSBURG, ST. ISAAC'S CATHEDRAL

COur next destination this morning was the St. Isaac’s Cathedral. Its enormous golden dome is visible from almost everywhere in St. Petersburg. Close by, facing it is the equestrian statue of Peter the Great.

Peter the Great Statue Faces St. Isaac's Cathedral, St. Petersburg

 



St. Isaac of Dalmatia (Open Stock Photo)

The Cathedral is dedicated to Saint Isaac of Dalmatia, a patron saint of Peter the Great, who had been born on the Saint's Feast Day.


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Completed in 1858, it took 40 year to build it. Red granite to make its huge, single-piece pillars was brought from Finland using special ships and railway built especially for the purpose.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Red Granite Pillars, St. Isaac's Cathedral, St. Petersburg

 

 

Resurrected Christ image on the brightly colored stained glass window is at the center of the main altar.
 

 

 Main Altar, St. Isaac's Cathedral, St. Petersburg

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ceilings, arches, and pillars are covered with paintings.

 

  

 

It has mosaic floor as well as... 

 

 Mosaic Floor, St, Isaac's Cathedral, St. Petersburg

... mosaic "paintings" on its walls.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mosaic "Paintings," St. Isaac's Cathedral, St. Petersburg

 

 

 

           

 

 

Inside columns are made of malachite and lapis lazuli.

 

 

 

 

Malachite and Lapis Lazuli Columns, St. Isaac's Cathedral, St. Petersburg

 

 

St. Isaac's Cathedral was designed by Auguste Montferrand, a French architect. His bust is displayed in the cathedral. 

 

The church was built to accommodate 14,000 standing worshipers. Closed in the early 1930s it was later reopened as a museum. Today, church services are held here only on major occasions.

 

After this visit there was lunch break. We went to Pizza Hut nearby for a vegetarian pizza.