The Uspenski Cathedral is a Russian Orthodox cathedral on the Katajanokka peninsula in Helsinki. It is the largest Orthodox church in western Europe.

History of Uspenski Cathedral

Uspenski Cathedral was built between 1862 and 1868. It was designed by Aleksei Gornostajev and based on a 16th-century church near Moscow. The bricks came from the Bomarsund fortress in Aland, which had been destroyed during the Crimean War in 1854.

Today, the cathedral is the seat of the Archdiocese of Helsinki in the Finnish Orthodox Church. The Finnish Orthodox Church has about 60,000 members and is part of the Ecumenical Orthodox Patriarchate based in Constantinople.

What to See at Uspenski Cathedral

The exterior of Uspenski Cathedral is not elaborately decorated, but is nevertheless striking with its deep-red brick walls and green-and-gold onion domes.

There are 13 onion domes in all, representing Christ and the twelve apostles.

As the largest Orthodox church in western Europe, the cathedral also impresses by its sheer size. The central dome is held aloft by four monolithic granite pillars.

Inside, the cathedral houses a rich display of icons and other typical Orthodox decorations, including an impressive array of chandeliers hanging from the vaulted ceiling. One of the icons is believed to work miracles.

If you want to see the inside, be sure to check the hours (below) and plan ahead - it closes early each day and is closed on Mondays in the winter. Fine views can be had of the marketplace and the city from the cathedral's lofty position.

Quick Facts on Uspenski Cathedral

Site Information
Names:	Uspenski Cathedral
Country:	Finland
Categories:	cathedrals
Faiths:	Eastern Orthodox
Styles:	Romanesque Revival
Dates:	1868
Status:	active
Visitor and Contact Information
Coordinates:	60.168553° N, 24.960122° E
Address:	Helsinki, Finland
Lodging:	View hotels near Uspenski Cathedral

Note: This information was accurate when first published and we do our best to keep it updated, but details such as opening hours and prices can change without notice. To avoid disappointment, please check with the site directly before making a special trip.

References

1. The Rough Guide to Scandanavia 7.
2. Official Website of the Finnish Orthodox Church
3. Uspenskin katedraali - Muuka.com
4. Uspenski-Kathedrale (Helsinki) - German Wikipedia

More Information

• Photos of Uspenski Cathedral - here on Sacred Destinations