The Sampson Cathedral in St. Petersburg is one of the oldest cathedrals in the city: it was founded in 1709 by decree of Peter I in honor of the victory over the Swedes in the battle of Poltava. The Cathedral is located far from the busy tourist trails, in the square of the same name — a quiet and picturesque place in the North of the city. Despite this, it is one of the most important cathedrals in St. Petersburg and is visited by tourists.
History of the Cathedral
The Cathedral was founded in 1709 at the behest of Peter the Great and dedicated to the victory over the Swedes in the battle of Poltava. Battle day, June 27 (10) is the day of Saint sampsonius the pilgrim. Peter I considered this a sign and named the future Cathedral after this Saint. Due to the reason for its creation, the Sampson Cathedral was the most well-maintained in comparison with other churches of that period.
Initially, the Cathedral was made of wood. After the death of Peter I, it was rebuilt in stone, and in 1740, already under the Empress Anna Ioannovna, it was opened to parishioners.
The Cathedral is also famous in the history of St. Petersburg for the fact that in 1711 the first organized cemetery was built near it: before that, the dead were buried next to their homes or next to parish churches. The construction of the official city cemetery on the Vyborg side was initiated, according to contemporaries, by Peter I himself, who noted that the city is inhabited mainly by newcomers, and it would be logical to bury them at the walls of the temple dedicated to the patron Saint of travelers.
Location : St.Petersburg
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