Holy Trinity Cathedral, Yekaterinburg (must see)

Holy Trinity Cathedral is an Orthodox church whose history reflects major religious and political changes in the Urals. Construction lasted from 1818 to 1839 and was paid for by the Ryazanov merchant family. The Ryazanovs were Old Believers who agreed to join the official Orthodox Church so they could receive permission to build a large stone cathedral. Because of this, the building is closely linked to both Old Believer traditions and state-recognized Orthodoxy.

The cathedral was designed by architect M. P. Malakhov in a Classical style. It has a balanced, symmetrical plan, a tall central structure, and modest decoration. The exterior is painted in ochre, with white columns and details that emphasize the building’s clear lines. Unlike many Russian churches, it originally had three domes instead of the more common five.

During the Soviet period, the cathedral was badly damaged. In 1930, the bell tower and domes were dismantled, and religious decoration inside was removed. The building was later used as a cinema, a textile factory, and a cultural centre for automobile workers. After the Revolution, church valuables were confiscated, including silver items and an icon frame donated by Alexander I. The cathedral was returned to the church in 1996 and reconsecrated in 2000 by Patriarch Alexei II.

Today, the interior shows the results of major restoration work from the late 1990s. Visitors can see frescoes on the walls, a multi-level iconostasis, and restored liturgical furnishings made according to Orthodox tradition. The cathedral functions as the main church of the local eparchy and continues to be used for regular services.