Overview:

Holy Transfiguration Cathedral is a Neo-Byzantine-style cathedral in the city of Vitebsk in Belarus. It was built between 1886 and 1893, when Vitebsk was part of the Russian Empire, having been designed by the then Mayor of Vitebsk, Alexey Sokolov. The cathedral's construction was funded by a wealthy merchant family, the Kozlovsky's, whose contributions have been noted in a memorial tablet affixed to the north wall of the building. The cathedral is surrounded by a garden of flowers, trees, and shrubbery and is adorned with a number of sculptures. The most striking feature of the cathedral is its colorful domes, which are made from red, blue, and yellow ceramic tiles. It has a large central dome above an entrance and two side domes. Internally, the building has five altars, ornate wall paintings, and fourteen large windows that look out onto the garden around the entrance. It is one of the most beautiful monuments in Belarus
Prominent Features:

1. The Holy Transfiguration Cathedral in Vitebsk, Belarus, is a stunning example of Russian Orthodox architecture. 2. The cathedral stands at 75 meters (246 ft) tall and is renowned for its whiteness, with each surface painted milky white. 3. The main body of the cathedral is formed by five onion domes mounted atop a large dome and the bell tower. 4. Inside the main cathedral, guests are surrounded by detailed frescos and paintings portraying religious scenes and stories, and floor-to-ceiling windows look out onto the city. 5. The building also contains a memorial to those lost in the Great Patriotic War and a sundial that was crafted by one of Vitebsk’s most famous sons, Marc Chagall. 6. The cathedral is located in the center of Vitebsk's Cathedral Square, which also contains a picturesque fountain, benches, and landscaping. You can learn history, culture, and heritage through these magnificent monuments in Belarus.

History:

Holy Transfiguration Cathedral in Vitebsk, Belarus, is an Orthodox church and the oldest in the city. The original wooden church was built in 1407 and the current stone structure, designed in Byzantine style, was completed in 1824. It is considered an important architectural landmark in Vitebsk, and the belfry of the cathedral is a recognized symbol of the city. The current building was constructed on a larger scale than the original and accompanied by the construction of the adjacent Church of the Presentation of the Virgin. Construction was undertaken by local residents with financial support from the government of Imperial Russia. At the time of its completion, it was the largest church in the city. The cathedral was damaged during WWII and restored to its previous form in 1957-58. The bell tower also underwent some restoration in 2003. In modern times the cathedral is active, serving as a venue for religious events and weddings. Today, the church attracts tourists due to its historical importance and the beautiful view it affords of the city of Vitebsk. The original iconostasis, pulpit and other special features are attributed to the workshops of renowned Belarusian sculptors, Kiryakov and Yefimyev. The cathedral remains an important part of the cultural and religious life of the city. Visit one of the famous monuments of Belarus with your friends and family.

Interesting facts:

1. The Holy Transfiguration Cathedral in Vitebsk, Belarus, is an Orthodox church that was built stretching over a period of seventeen years, beginning in 1895 and ending in 1912. 2. The current structure stands on the ruins of an older wooden church, which was burned down during the French occupation of Vitebsk in 1812. 3. The architects who designed it were Nikolai Khrutsky and Alexander Vlasov, and the style is Neo-Byzantine. 4. The cathedral is constructed from red brick and adorned with two bell towers. The original bells were destroyed during World War II, but a new set was acquired in 2000. 5. Inside the church, there are numerous painted icons depicting Jesus, Mary, and the saints. 6. The Cathedral also hosts a museum of religious art, with artifacts from the 18th and 19th centuries, such as paintings, sculptures, and vestments. 7. The cathedral was declared a national architecture monument of Belarus in 1986. 8. Every year, the Feast of the Transfiguration is celebrated in the cathedral in late August, with thousands of Orthodox Christians coming to this ancient house of worship. One of the historical monuments of Belarus, it tells the story of a bygone era