Sophia

St. Sophia Cathedral is undoubtedly one of the most impressive ancient buildings of Tobolsk. If we consider that this is the first stone church building in Siberia, then its historical value becomes clear.

The cathedral church was laid in the summer of 1681, but construction began only in April 1683 after the artel of Ustyuzh builders arrived, and experienced masons led by master Vasily Larionov were sent from Moscow. During its long life, the temple was destroyed, restored, rebuilt, and only in the XX century gained the appearance that it has today.

St. Sophia Cathedral is a massive square-shaped structure with five chapters, the middle of which stands out for its size and sparkles with gilding. On a blue background of smaller domes, golden stars shine. The snow-white walls of the cathedral are cut through two tiers of large windows decorated with columned casings. The western main gate of the St. Sophia Cathedral is striking with its unusual design and hand insect pattern. For a long time the cathedral served as a tomb of Tobolsk bishops and metropolitans, under the floor there are seven burials.

This cathedral is famous not only for its architecture. It has long played an important role as a spiritual and cultural center. Within the walls of the majestic temple, the chronicle of Siberia was written, the decisions that sometimes influenced the fate of all Russia were consecrated here.