Uspenski Cathedral, Helsinki

The Uspenski Cathedral (Finnish Uspenskin katedraali, swedish Uspenskijkatedralen; Russian Успенский собор ) is an Orthodox church in the Finnish capital Helsinki. It is the cathedral of the Finnish Orthodox Diocese of Helsinki. The name of the cathedral dates from the Russian and means Dormition Cathedral.

The Uspenski Cathedral is located on a cliff at the western end of the Katajanokka peninsula in the center of Helsinki. At the time of its construction the most visible church was a clear symbol of Russian domination over Finland. Today it is one of the main attractions of the Finnish capital and recorded approximately 500,000 visitors per year.

Architecture

The Assumption Cathedral was designed by architect Alexei Gornostajew in Russian-Byzantine style and consecrated in 1868. Built of red brick cathedral is the largest Orthodox church in Western Europe. It has 13 domes with gold plated tips. The opulent interior is supported by four massive granite columns supporting the main dome, dominates. One of the exhibited in the cathedral icons is considered miraculous.

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