Saints Peter and Paul Cathedral

Saints Peter and Paul Cathedral is the most ornate Baroque church in Kazan, a tall white building covered in deep-relief stucco of flowers, fruit, and angels in a style known as Russian Naryshkin Baroque. The free-standing bell tower beside it is almost as elaborate.

The cathedral sits a short walk east of the Kremlin on a quiet pedestrian street. The interior, restored after Soviet-era closure, holds an elaborate gilded iconostasis. Entry is free and modest dress is expected. Open for services and visitor hours most days.

things to do sight cathedral centre architecture
A story
The cathedral was built between 1723 and 1726 by the wealthy Kazan merchant Ivan Mikhlyaev to celebrate Tsar Peter the Great's visit to his home and factory in 1722 — the Tsar reportedly slept at Mikhlyaev's house en route to his Persian campaign, and the cathedral commemorates that night.

Other places in Things to Do