Narva Resurrection of Christ Cathedral

The main Orthodox church of the Estonian city of Narva is the Resurrection of Christ Cathedral. It was built between 1890 and 1896 according to the design of the St. Petersburg architect Paul Alisch. The church’s foundation was timed to coincide with the meeting in Narva of two emperors: Russian Alexander III and German Wilhelm II.

History of Narva’s Orthodox Cathedral

Historical documents first mention the need to build an Orthodox church in Narva in 1872. However, almost twenty years passed before the idea was implemented. Ivan Prove, an honorary citizen of the city, donated land in the Joachimsthal area aka Juhkental (which no longer exists), specifically purchased for this purpose, for the construction of the new church. The construction of the cathedral, which cost 500,000 rubles, was financed by the Krenholm Manufacturing Company.

It’s noteworthy that the first stone of the church’s foundation was personally laid by Russian Emperor Alexander III. Many officials participated in the solemn ceremony, including members of the royal family: Empress Maria Feodorovna, Grand Duchess Xenia Alexandrovna, Grand Duke Sergei Alexandrovich with his wife Elizabeth Feodorovna, and Grand Dukes Nikolai Nikolaevich and Alexander Mikhailovich. The cathedral was consecrated on November 17, 1896.

Remarkably, the Narva Cathedral suffered minimal damage during World War II, allowing services to resume in 1945. Today, the church is the center of Orthodox life in Narva, with a congregation of 3,000 people. The church operates a library with over 5,000 books and hosts Sunday schools for both children and adults.

Photo Gallery

Architecture of the Resurrection Cathedral

The layout of Narva’s Resurrection Cathedral is in the shape of a Greek cross, following the Byzantine cultural tradition. A large central dome dominates the building’s volume, creating a spacious and majestic interior and a unique element in the city’s architectural appearance. The cathedral houses a century-old carved gilded iconostasis by master Astafiev, with icons painted in Mikhail Dikarev’s workshop.

Location on the Map

Other Places of Interest

• Be sure to visit Narva Castle. Today, it houses a museum, and its courtyard is open for free walks.
• Also, visit the Narva Town Hall, which now serves as a Tourist Information Center. Here, you can also take a virtual tour of Old Narva, which was destroyed during World War II and has not been rebuilt.
• One of the best places for a walk is the Narva River Promenade. Among other things, it’s a great spot for taking beautiful photos.