Holy Cross Cathedral, Irkutsk, Irkutsk Oblast, Russia
The Holy Cross Church is one of the oldest Irkutsk’s Orthodox temples, a distinctive landmark of Siberian Baroque.
The first two-story church was built in 1719 upon the Krestovaya Mountain. It was blessed by Metropolitan Filofei (Leshinsky).
The construction of a stone church started in May 1747. The works were finished by the end of 1760. The church is famous for its unique exterior design. The facades are decorated with a rich ornament. Simple geometric objects and floral comply a complex design. Based on the decor, you can see the influence of local folk art. The Holy Cross Church is the only church in Siberia with XVII century’s interiors.
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