Golden domes sparkling in the sun, sounds of bells ringing floating in the air… This is what makes a soul of a Russian Orthodox person thrill in majestic awe. Today we are going to tell you about the highest bell towers in Russia.

Peter and Paul Cathedral — 122.5 m

Peter and Paul Cathedral (official name — Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul) is a Russian Orthodox cathedral situated in St. Petersburg inside Peter and Paul Fortress. The cathedral used to be the Royal tomb. Now it is a bright example of Peter’s Baroque architecture. The cathedral was built in 1733 by the architect Domenico Trezzini. It took 21 years to build. Peter and Paul Cathedral is 122.5 meters high and until 2015 it was the highest building in St. Petersburg. Since 2013, the Cathedral is the 3rd highest building in the city after the 140-meter skyscraper Leader Tower and the residential complex “Prince Alexandre Nevsky” which is 124 meters high.

Bell Tower of Resurrection Cathedral — 106 m

Resurrection Cathedral is an Orthodox cathedral in Shuya which is famous for its 106-meter bell tower, the first bell tower in Europe that stands separately from the temple. Construction of the cathedral started in 1810, and it was finished in 1832. Two architects G. Maricelli and V. Savatyev worked on this project. 50 years later, in 1891, the seventh largest bell in Russia, weighing 1,270 poods, was installed on the third level of the bell tower. Now Resurrection Cathedral is the highest building in Ivanovo Oblast.

Cathedral of Christ the Savior — 103 m

Cathedral of Christ the Savior is the largest Russian Orthodox cathedral which is situated in Moscow. The Cathedral was built in 1883 to signify the victory and to commemorate the ones who were killed in the 1812 war.  Initially, the construction of the temple began on the project by the architect Alexander Vitberg in 1817, but the work stopped in 1825 because of the architect’s accusations of financial embezzlement. Then Konstantin Thon was appointed as a designer of the new project. He finished the construction of the cathedral in 1883.

50 years later, in 1931, the Cathedral was destroyed as a result of Stalin’s reconstruction of Moscow. It was decided to rebuild it only in 1994-1997. Now the cathedral can accommodate about 10,000 people.

Saint Isaac’s Cathedral — 101.5 m

Saint Isaac’s Cathedral is the largest Orthodox church in St. Petersburg located at St. Isaac’s Square. It is 101.5 m high. The Cathedral was built and consecrated in 1858, in the name of St. Isaac of Dalmatia, a patron saint of Peter the Great. It took 40 years to build it. The architect Auguste Montferrand designed and built the cathedral under the supervision of the Emperor Nicholas I.  Now this orthodox cathedral is both a museum and a church.

Bell Tower of Monastery of Our Lady of Kazan — 99.6 m

Monastery of Our Lady of Kazan is a monastery situated in the city of Tambov.  Tambov Theological Seminary is located in the cathedral’s buildings. There is also a Sunday School for children and adults in the monastery. The multilevel monastery bell tower, which was completed in 1848, was demolished during Soviet era. The school No 32 was built on the site of the bell tower. On August 10, 2007, a solemn consecration of the cross and the foundation stone was held. In the spring of 2009 construction of a new gate bell tower, the height of which is now 99.6 meters, began.

We have looked at 5 highest Orthodox bell towers in Russia. Each of them fascinates anyone who has ever seen these architectural masterpieces.