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THE ST. ISAAC'S CATHEDRAL
The St. Isaac’s Cathedral which has become pride of not only Russian Orthodox Church, but of the entire Russia, was named after Isaac Dalmatian. The fact is that the memorial day of this saint contemporized with Peter the Great’s birthday. And the history of formation of this great Russian church and memorial of magnificent architecture - the St. Isaac’s Cathedral - began from Peter the Great.
The first church named in honour of Isaac was constructed in 1710. It was a wooden church where Peter got married with Catherine who later became Empress Catherine the First. Also by order of Peter the Great officials of the Admiralty and officers of the Baltic Navy were to swear in that very cathedral. But wooden constructions have short life. That is why it was decided to build a stone cathedral.
It is known that there were two more cathedrals before the present one. The second and the third cathedrals were constructed for a long time but they did not serve long. The present St. Isaac’s cathedral was constructed by many architects by order of Nicolay the First. The main architect was Montferrand. Nicolay the First watched closely the construction of the cathedral, put forward proposals concerning technical and esthetical aspects. 23 million rubles in silver were laid out from the State exchequer for the construction. This remarkable cathedral presenting a unique architectural and engineering masterpiece, being the biggest domical building in the world, was worth the means.
The St. Isaac’s Cathedral is an example of monumental architecture held in high respect. The dimensions of the cathedral are astonishing. Thus, the diameter of the dome is 21.8 meters, the height of the building is 101.5 meters; there are 72 columns in the cathedral, and every of them weighs more than 100 tons. The cathedral was constructed for 40 years.
The inner decors of the cathedral present not less affecting spectacle than the outer ones. Twenty kinds of different decorative stones, marble of different sorts, malachite and lapis lazuli were used for decoration of the St. Isaac’s Cathedral. The halls of the cathedral are also decorated with sculptural artwork and other Russian art articles of that epoch.
The cathedral functioned for a long time, being one of the main Russian cathedrals. All great events of the country were necessarily celebrated in the St. Isaac Cathedral. The cathedral was ruled by outstanding representatives of Russian Orthodoxy. However, the nice traditions were broken by the October Revolution. Following strange motives, the Bolsheviks’ power started destroying churches, and got finally to the St. Isaac’s Cathedral. That is why many works of art decorating the cathedral were lost forever.
Fortunately, the unique mosaic - pride of the St. Isaac’s Cathedral - was preserved. This unique masterpiece occupies the area of almost 600 square meters. Wall-paintings and sculptures of the cathedral were maid by great world sculptors: Brjullov, Vitali, Bruni, Klodt, Basin, Shebuev.
At present the St. Isaac’s cathedral perfectly combines two functions: divine services are held there, and it is opened for public as a museum. There are several thematic expositions dedicated to the unique architectural and technical arrangement of the cathedral, and also to peculiarities of the artwork decorating the interior of the cathedral. One of the places of interest while visiting the cathedral is its colonnade. Having ascended it, one will get a chance to feast his eye upon the beautiful views of St. Petersburg from the height of 43 meters.
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