Cathedral of Sts Peter and Paul, Peterhof, Russia Photo Print

"Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul, Peterhof, Russia" by Catherine Sherman. Two Russian women waiting at a corner are surrounded by pigeons near the Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul in Petergof (Peterhof), Russia. Perhaps the birds are looking for a handout. In 1882, Emperor Alexander II approved the construction of the cathedral to provide a large church for local residents, who weren't allowed into palace churches. Peterhof, the palace complex created by Tsar Peter the Great, is nearby. The construction was finally completed under Tsar Nicholas II in 1905. In 1935, the church was closed. During World War II, it was seriously damaged as was Peterhof. The cathedral was used by German military forces as artillery headquarters and to spy on Soviet ships from the tower. Later it became a warehouse. After a long period of restoration, church services resumed in January 1990. The cathedral was designed in a Kievan Russian style as were most of the churches of that time. The façade is decorated with polychrome bricks and a red and green roof,and it has four entrances. It resembles Saint Basil Cathedral in Moscow. The main room, church services are celebrated, has high ceilings, good lighting and good acoustics. The cathedral overlooks Olgin Pondand is surrounded by many other lakes and parks. The cathedral's massive structure, more than 197 feet (60 meters) high, dominates the whole area. Visitors can enjoy a view of Peterhof and Saint Petersburg from the tower.