Sampsonian Cathedral

Sampsonian Cathedral was built in the style of Annen Baroque, as work on it was completed under Empress Anna Ioannovna.

The cathedral was named after St. Paul. Sampsonia, it was erected in memory of the victory of Russian troops over the Swedish army in the battle of Poltava. Near the church there was a cemetery, where D. Trezzini, J. Leblond, K. Rastrelli and other famous architects who created St. Petersburg sights were buried. Unfortunately, the cemetery has not been preserved.

In the year of the celebration of the 200th anniversary of the Battle of Poltava (1909), a monument to Peter I was built opposite the bell tower of the temple. Memorial plaques were also installed on the facades of the temple with the words of the emperor addressed to Russian soldiers before and after the Battle of Poltava.

The temple, like other cathedrals, suffered greatly during the revolution and war. In 1938, it was closed and a warehouse was organized in the temple. In 1977, the facades of the cathedral were restored, and since 2002 services have been performed here.

The main values of the temple are carved gilded iconostasis of the XVIII century with a height of 11 meters, unique icons of the XVIII century and part of the relics of St. Sampsonius.