Description of the attraction
One of the first temples-monuments in the Volga region to the Tsar-liberator Alexander II, built during the life of the Tsar, was erected in the city of Kozmodemyansk, on Voznesenskaya Street (now Sovetskaya Street) in 1872. In memory of the unsuccessful attempt on the life of the tsar on April 4, 1866, student D. Karagozov and the miraculous salvation of the Russian emperor, the Kozmodemyans are building a three-altar cathedral in the old Russian style on the banks of the Volga River.
The majestic Smolensk Cathedral has an external resemblance to the Moscow Cathedral of Christ the Savior: the keeled end of the walls with medallions in the nave, faceted columns and domes. The creation of provincial architects with a widely spaced five-domed in the Russian-Byzantine style was later supplemented by seven bells, one of which weighed more than 139 pounds (two tons). The church was built at the expense of parishioners and consecrated in honor of the Smolensk Icon of the Mother of God in 1872. Before the revolution, a parish school was located on the territory of the temple.
In 1929, the temple was closed, the domes and bell tower were demolished, and the building was transferred to the local history and art museum. In 1998, the Cathedral of the Smolensk Mother of God was returned to the Orthodox diocese, restored and on September 11, 1998 was consecrated by Bishop John of Mari and Yoshkar-Ola.
Nowadays, the most beautiful building of the Smolensk Cathedral is a memorial temple and a historical landmark of the Republic of Mari El.
