Gomel. St. Peter and Paul Cathedral.

The Peter and Paul Cathedral, recognized as a monument of late classicism architecture of national significance, is an organic part of the palace and park ensemble of Gomel. The idea of building the cathedral belonged to Count Nikolai Petrovich Rumyantsev, the owner of the Gomel estate, who financed the construction of churches, schools, a pharmacy, hospitals and other stone buildings in Gomel.

The cathedral, located on the high bank of the Sozh River, is an example of cross-domed architecture. It is 25 meters high, and in plan it resembles an elongated cross. The central part (nave) is shorter than the side parts (transepts), which end in small sacristies on both sides of the altar. The top of the cathedral is crowned with a dome with an onion-shaped cupola, resting on four powerful columns. The dome is pierced with windows, giving the cathedral lightness and airiness.

The facades are decorated with elements of classicism: strict Doric columns, a frieze with triglyphs, semicircular sandriks above the windows and a cornice supported by "crackers".

The cathedral project was developed by the architect Clark J., and in the 20th century its restoration was supervised by V.M. Zagrebelny.

The appearance of the cathedral reflects the ideas of classicism, popular at that time. The use of six columned porticoes of the Doric order, window openings with triangular pediments and characteristic decorative elements - all this testifies to the influence of classicism on the architecture of the cathedral.

The temple, inspired by the architecture of the Kazan Cathedral in St. Petersburg, looks especially majestic due to its location on a high cape above the Sozh floodplain.

Construction began in 1809 and was completed in 1819. On October 18, 1809, the Church of the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul was founded by Archpriest John Kononovich Grigorovich. Construction continued until 1812, when the war with France suspended work until early 1815.

On May 22, 1824, on the day of remembrance of Saint Nicholas the Wonderworker, the church in the name of the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul was consecrated by Archpriest John Ioannovich Grigorovich.

The Peter and Paul Cathedral, consecrated in 1824, was in use until 1935 and from 1941 to 1960. During the Soviet era, it was used as a museum and planetarium. Restoration began in 1988, and in 1989 the cathedral was transferred to the Gomel diocese.

It should be noted that Count N.P. Rumyantsev, who played a key role in the development of Gomel, was buried in the Peter and Paul Cathedral. A black marble pedestal with a bronze bust of the chancellor was installed on his grave.

In 1993, the Holy Tikhvin Convent was opened at the cathedral.