Description of the attraction
The Alexander Nevsky Cathedral in Kurgan is the main Orthodox church not only of the city itself, but of the entire region. The idea of creating a temple first appeared in the second half of the 19th century. after the construction of the Trans-Siberian railway through Kurgan.
The construction of the church began in June 1896, on the highest place in the city - in the middle of the cemetery that was already inactive at that time. The reason for its construction was the arrival of Archbishop Agafangel of Tobolsk and Siberia in January 1895. The temple was erected with funds donated by the merchant D. I. Smolin, as well as other local merchants and parishioners. The construction lasted seven whole years and was completed only by 1902. The author of the project was the talented Kurgan architect N. A. Yushkov. The cathedral was consecrated in honor of the Holy Blessed Prince Alexander Nevsky.
The red brick temple building with shining golden domes has become one of the most beautiful in Kurgan. A high bell tower was erected at the cathedral. The interior of the cathedral was also particularly beautiful: painted walls, a delightful gilded iconostasis with a large number of icons.
In 1929 the cathedral was closed, like many other churches at that time. First, the church building housed a warehouse, then a local university, then a local history museum and a planetarium. In 1989, the local authorities decided to return the church to Orthodox believers. Internal and external restoration work was carried out in the church, as well as the bell tower was rebuilt. Soon the cathedral, in its original splendor and splendor, again met the faithful residents and guests of the city.
Today the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral is a magnificent architectural monument, which is one of the main attractions of the city of Kurgan. Since the founding of the Kurgan diocese in 1993, the temple has become a cathedral.
