Saint Sophia Cathedral (Harbin, China) – A Miraculous Place

The Saint Sophia Cathedral of Harbin is the largest Orthodox church in the Far East, which located in the Harbin, HeiLongJiang Province, China. It is a miraculous building in Harbin and was first built in 1907 and completed of timber for reconsolidate Russia army spiritual by the Fourth Infantry Division of East Siberia. In 1912, it was reconstructed into a bricky timberwork church. In 1923, the Saint Sophia Cathedral was redeveloped again according to the Russia architect's design, and it was finally built in 1932.

The whole Cathedral occupies 721 square meters (0.18 acres) and stands at 53.3 meters tall (175 feet). It is totally the typical representative of Byzantine architectures. The main structure is a Latin cross statement, and in space, it shows a giant dome, but more fascinate thing is that there is no any pillars to support in the room. In a other word, the engineers invented the arches, buttresses and domes or other designs to this special church, and let people to regard holy and sacred one. Of cause, there are still many other fascinates in it. With its magnificent and exotic structure, the Saint Sophia Cathedral becomes a unique landscape of Harbin.

After the liberation of Harbin, the Soviet government transferred the church's property to the government of Harbin. It had ever closed since 1960. During the Culture Revolution of China, the Cathedral suffered from serious damage, like the windows were bricked up, the paintings, bells and crosses were lost. But in 1986, it was treated as the first protecting building in Harbin. In 1996, it became state-level major cultural relic preservation site. And in 1997, the government decided to implement comprehensive construct Sophia Cathedral.

After the St. Sophia Cathedral restored, the building changes more magnificent, green ground, enough square, leisure chairs, spiritual atmosphere, all reflect the beautiful of it, especially appreciated in the evening, the lights will make the Cathedral show another charm.

If people decide to visit China, this miraculous place in Harbin should not be missed. Winder is a good season to visit Harbin where is in the north of China, so visit Harbin in winter will get more fun.

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