The Basilica of St. Catherine of Alexandria is a Catholic church in St. Petersburg, which is an architectural monument, as well as the oldest in the city and one of the oldest churches of the Roman Catholic Church in Russia.
This is the only Catholic church in Russia that has been awarded the honorary title of minor basilica.
The temple is located in the center of St. Petersburg on Nevsky Prospekt - one of the most visited and beautiful streets of the city.
The church was built in 1763-1783 in the style of early classicism, designed by architects Pietro Trezzini, Jean-Baptiste Valen Delamotte and Italian architects Minciani and A. Rinaldi.
The church was built with the permission of the Empress Anna Ioannovna, for the parish of St. Catherine of Alexandria, founded in 1716.
The consecration of the church in honor of St. Catherine of Alexandria (patron saint of the Empress Catherine II) took place on October 7, 1783.
In September 1938, the church was closed and destroyed. Services in the church were resumed on October 4, 1992. Restoration work was also carried out on the building.
During its history, the Church of St. Catherine was, and is, not only one of the decorations of the central part of St. Petersburg, but also a symbol of religious tolerance and interaction of cultures.
Various schools and gymnasiums operated at the church, and since 1884, a Roman Catholic Charitable Society operated at the parish.
The kings of Poland Stanislaw August Poniatowski and Stanislaw Leszczynski were buried in the dungeons of the church. French General Jean Victor Moreau, the commander-in-chief of the allied armies in the war against Napoleon, is still buried in the crypt of the temple.
The building of the basilica has the shape of a Latin cross, with a transverse transept and is crowned with a large dome. The main facade of the temple has the form of a monumental arched portal, which is supported by massive columns with elegant architectural capitals. On the high parapet of the facade there are figures of four evangelists, and the central part is decorated with figures of two angels holding a cross.
Also in the facade, pilasters with capitals, the decoration of window openings and two arched passages located on both sides of the temple building attract attention.
Above the main portal (entrance) is a simple decoration in the form of a pediment and an inscription in Latin from the Gospel of Matthew: "My house will be called the house of prayer" with the date of completion of the construction of the temple.
The building of the basilica is built into the same rad with neighboring buildings on Nevsky Prospekt - side archways are adjacent to the walls of the buildings.
Next to the temple, on its eastern side on Nevsky Prospekt, there is a luxury 5-star Belmond Grand Hotel Europe (Belmond Grand Hotel Europe), which is considered one of the best hotels in St. Petersburg.
The historical interior of the temple has not been preserved to this day, but has been partially restored according to ancient documents and photographs.
The old altar cross of the church was saved in 1938, during the looting of the church, and now returned to the basilica.
A small area in front of the basilica, facing Nevsky Prospekt, today, most often occupied by artists who sell their works.
From the steps of the temple, you can clearly see the opposite side of Nevsky Prospekt, including: the famous City Duma building with a tower and Silver Rows, as well as the historic shopping department store - Large Gostiny Dvor.
Practical information
Entrance to the Basilica of St. Catherine of Alexandria is free (free of charge).
The address of the Basilica of St. Catherine of Alexandria: Nevsky Prospekt, 32-34.
Coordinates of the basilica: 59°56'08"N 30°19'44"E (59.935556, 30.328889).
Nearest metro stations: "Gostiny Dvor" and "Nevsky Prospekt".
Website of the Basilica of St. Catherine of Alexandria: catherine.
All accommodation facilities in St. Petersburg, including in the city center and on Nevsky Prospekt, can be viewed and booked here
