Description of the attraction
The Transfiguration Cathedral is one of the oldest churches in the city of Odessa, it is located on Sobornaya Square, 3. The original building of the temple was laid in 1794. The construction of the cathedral was completed in 1808, after which it was consecrated and began to be called the Transfiguration of the Savior.
In 1903. after reconstruction, the temple became the largest religious structure of the Russian Empire at the beginning of the 20th century. The dimensions of the cathedral in the plan were 90 x 45 meters, and the 72-meter bell tower, designed by the architect D. Franolli in 1837, was a reference point for ships calling at the Odessa port. Thanks to this height, the bell tower was visible from the sea, at a time when the city itself was not yet visible. The cathedral impressed with its architecture and unique interior decoration those who were able to see it with their own eyes.
In the Transfiguration Cathedral, Prince M. Vorontsov and his wife were buried, as well as Archbishops Ioanniky, Innokenty, Dmitry and Nikanor, who played an important role in the development of the city of Odessa. In 1936. By the decision of the authorities, the temple on the Cathedral Square was destroyed, all its valuables were previously taken to the Odessa "Gubfinotdel", and the ashes of the Vorontsov family were transferred to the Slobodskoye cemetery.
The revival of the cathedral began in 1999. Today, the Transfiguration Cathedral again stands in its place, as if nothing had happened. In 2005, in the restored shrine, the remains of Prince M. Vorontsov and his wife were reburied.
The cathedral, with its marvelous beauty and grandeur, once again delights Odessans and guests of the city. The appearance of the restored cathedral exactly repeats the appearance of the previously destroyed sight. The church has upper and lower (underground) temples, a high 77-meter bell tower and can accommodate up to 15 thousand people.
