Sophia Cathedral in Polotsk

Sophia Cathedral in Polotsk is one of the most ancient Christian shrines located in Belarus. In the 11th century, it became the fourth temple of Hagia Sophia in the world.

Initially, the temple served as a fortress and was the embodiment of a powerful statehood. Here they received ambassadors, decided the fate of different countries and protected religious shrines. In the 18th century, the temple was deliberately blown up, and a new one, even more majestic, was built in its place.

Sophia Cathedral is a unique monument of architecture and architecture. It even preserved the remains of frescoes from the 11th century. The southern facade of the building strikes with its unusual structure - its towers are located in such a way that they create a strong optical perspective. From the side, it is clearly noticeable that the pediment has a lacy outline, like a diadem crown.

The name of the author of the new cathedral is unknown, but his architectural style remained - the style of the Vilna Baroque. This style can also be seen in the interior of the cathedral. Particularly stands out is the stone altar partition, which resembles the altars of Catholic churches.