Kaliningrad, Holy Cross Cathedral: description, mode of operation and address

From what foreshortening or look at the Holy Cross Cathedral in Kaliningrad - it is magnificent. For example, from a bird's-eye view, a Greek cross appears. Considering it near, it is worth paying attention to the facing: the brick was specially fired in various ways to get the Kyda clinker. Arriving in Kaliningrad, the Holy Cross Cathedral should be visited first!

History of the origin of the architectural structure

The building plot was acquired by the Altstadt parish community as far back as 1913, but that year the construction was not destined to begin, as the world plunged into the First World War. When it was over, the idea of building the temple again became relevant in the parish community. Already in 1925 the project was ready, but for some reason it was not recognized. Then to deal with this issue offered to the well-known in their circles the Berlin architect Arthur Kikton. He agreed, and after a while he presented a plan, according to which it was proposed to build not only the building of the church, but also houses for the priest and the community, immediately adjacent to the main structure.

On June 15, 1930, the first stone was laid. In 1933, in early May, the church was consecrated. During the Second World War, like the whole of Kaliningrad, the Holy Cross Cathedral suffered, but not much - only the dome burned down. When the war was over, the building began to be used for economic purposes. There was also a car repair shop and a factory for the manufacture of experimental tools for fishing. The structure was constantly modified, rebuilding as it pleased. As a result, the overlap simply could not stand and collapsed. So, already in the 80s of the last century there was once a beautiful, and by that time the church that had already been turned into ruins was abandoned.

A few years later, the former Kreuzkirch was transferred to the Orthodox community. In 1991, the Holy Cross Parish was registered. Then the new district of the October Island needed its own church, as it was in the distance from all the others, which at that time was rich in Kaliningrad. The Holy Cross Cathedral (rector at that time - Peter Berbenichuk) began to recover. And, it is worth saying, it was on the initiative of Archpriest Peter. Reconstruction lasted 3 years. The building was rebuilt completely, after which, as expected, it was sanctified and opened to the parishioners.

Kaliningrad, Holy Cross Cathedral: architecture

In form, the temple is a Greek cross. Facing is made with decorative brick. The cathedral was three-nave, and over the western facade towered 2 identical in size towers, crowned with domes. They were joined by a gallery, under which, even in the time of the Germans, there were clocks.

The main detail of this small complex can be called a fairly large niche portal. The surface of it is decorated with a panel on which is depicted a large cross.

If we talk about the architectural style, then the building is most related to the late modernist style, which is combined with elements of neoclassicism.

The interior of the Holy Cross Cathedral in Kaliningrad

Interior design was handled by Erhst Feye - a German artist. Also, the Holy Cross Cathedral (Kaliningrad), its interior decoration, included stained-glass windows, sketches for which were created by another specialist - Gerhard Eisenbletter. The third artist was engaged in designing a font for baptism and special attributes. But all this (that is, the pre-war decoration), of course, could not be restored. Not because the specialists could not do it. Just the restoration was already taking into account the Orthodox canons.

In the modern building, the main creation can be called the amber iconostasis. In addition, it is worth paying attention to the image of the pelican - it symbolizes the sacrifice of the Christian faith.

Kaliningrad, Holy Cross Cathedral: address

The temple is located in the Moscow district of the city of Kaliningrad, along the street of General Pavlov, building 2. Coordinates on the map for GPS: longitude - 20 ° 3120.88 "E (20.522466), and latitude - 54 ° 4220.69" N (54.705746).

The operating mode of the cathedral

The temple is open for visits from 9am to 5pm from Monday to Friday, inclusive. On Saturday the cathedral is open from 9:00 to 20:30, and on Sunday from 7:00 to 20:30.

Located in a city like Kaliningrad, the Holy Cross Cathedral is the main temple in the region, as well as a valuable decoration of the city. Designed and built in Koenigsberg, this building, although rebuilt from scratch, still harbors the spirit of the Lutheran church, recalling its past. The now cultic structure was the last pre-war building of this type, which has its own characteristics and symbolic details. The Holy Cross Cathedral in Kaliningrad, now an Orthodox church, must be visited not only as a sight, but as a temple.