Description of the attraction
The Cathedral of the Epiphany in Irkutsk is one of the oldest buildings in the city and one of its main attractions. The cathedral was founded in 1693. Initially, it was a wooden church, but after a fire in Irkutsk in 1716, the cathedral burned down. After a while, the local authorities decided to restore the temple, but this time from bricks.
Construction robots for the construction of the cathedral began in 1718. Funds for its construction were donated by the townspeople. By 1730, the main work on the construction of the cathedral was completed, but the interior decoration of the temple lasted for more than one year. The solemn consecration of the temple in honor of the Epiphany took place in 1746. The cathedral was made in the Baroque style, using some elements of the Old Russian architectural style. One of the features of the temple is the use of a huge number of tiles.
In April 1804, a strong earthquake occurred in Irkutsk, which damaged the cross of the cathedral and the fifth dome. In the fall of 1812, a place was already prepared for the bell tower of the church. The bell weighing 12 tons was poured in 1797. In March 1815 it was raised to a new bell tower, made in the style of Russian classicism. However, in 1861, another earthquake struck the city, which severely damaged the cathedral: the columns were moved from their place, the bell tower, arches and vaults were significantly damaged. In 1894 the cathedral received the status of a cathedral.
During the Soviet era, the temple was closed, after which it was used as a workshop for a bread factory. In 1968, restoration and restoration work began in the building of the cathedral. The bell tower with a hipped roof has acquired its original appearance. After the reconstruction, the cathedral building was transferred to the jurisdiction of the Museum of Local Lore. In 1994, the Cathedral of the Epiphany was returned to Orthodox believers. Six years later (in 2002) the painting of the altar of the temple was completed, and a year later - the painting of the facade.
Today the Cathedral of the Epiphany is a functioning temple, which is one of the main cult sights of the city of Irkutsk.
