Smolny & Vosstaniya - St Petersburg - page 184

See CLICK HERE .

CATHEDR THEDRAAL

VLADIMIRSKY CATHEDRAL
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( Владимирский собор ; Vladimirsky pr 20; admission free; 8am-6pm, services 6pm daily;
Vladimirskaya) This fantastic, five-domed cathedral, ascribed to Domenico Trezzini,
is the namesake of this neighbourhood. Incorporating both baroque and neoclassical
elements, the cathedral was built in the 1760s, with Giacomo Quarenghi's neoclassic-
al bell tower added later in the century. Apparently Fyodor Dostoevsky was a parish-
ioner here (convenient, as he lived around the corner). The cathedral was closed in
1932 and the Soviets turned it into an underwear factory; but in 1990 it was reconsec-
rated and reconstructed, and it has resumed its originally intended function. These
days it is one of the busiest cathedrals in town, as evidenced by the hordes of babush-
kas and beggars outside. Nonetheless, it's worth weaving your way through the out-
stretched hands to admire the cathedral's interiors (upstairs). The baroque iconostasis
was originally installed in the private chapel of the Anichkov Palace ( CLICK HERE ),
but was transferred here in 1808. For an impressive perspective on the onion domes,
have a drink in the 7th-floor Raskolnikov bar of the Hotel Dostoevsky across the road.