Saint Sophia Cathedral, Polotsk
Сафійскі сабор
One of Belarus's oldest churches, built in the 11th century and remodelled in the 18th century with a twin-tower Baroque façade. Today it is a museum and organ concert hall.
The cathedral was built between 1044 and 1066 by Prince Vseslav of the Principality of Polotsk. It is counted alongside the Saint Sophias of Kyiv and Novgorod as one of the three great Saint Sophia cathedrals of the East Slavs. After many wars, it was rebuilt in the mid-18th century by the Eastern Rite Catholic Church in Vilnius Baroque style. Its white twin towers stand on the high bank of the Western Dvina River, on the site of the old upper town, and have become the emblem of Polotsk. Remains of the 11th-century walls are preserved underground, and the interior holds an architectural history exhibition. A large pipe organ hosts concerts throughout the year; tickets are sold separately, and schedules are on the museum's website. It is generally closed on Mondays.
Opening hours
Tue–Sun 10:00–17:00 (check with the museum)
Nearby sights
- Boris Stone
- Polotsk Jesuit Collegium
- Museum of Belarusian Book Printing
- Epiphany Cathedral, Polotsk
- Red Bridge, Polotsk
- Monument to the Letter Ў
- Nizhne-Pokrovskaya Street
- Museum of Medieval Knighthood