Saint Sophia Cathedral, Polotsk
Сафійскі сабор
A symbol of Belarus’s oldest city. Begun in the 11th century and remodelled in Baroque style in the 18th century, the cathedral hosts regular organ concerts.
Saint Sophia Cathedral stands on a high bank in the old town of Polotsk, where the Western Dvina and the Polota rivers meet. It was first built in the mid-11th century and ranks alongside the Saint Sophia cathedrals of Kyiv and Novgorod. After many wars, the church was remodelled in the 18th century by the Uniate Church in the Vilnius Baroque style, with two white towers. Ancient wall foundations are preserved underground. Today it operates as a museum and concert hall, and its organ concerts are very popular. Polotsk is about 100 km from Vitebsk, roughly 2 hours by train or bus, so it works as a day trip.
Opening hours
Closed Mondays; 10:00–18:00
Nearby sights
- Saviour-Euphrosyne Convent, Polotsk
- Marc Chagall House Museum
- Marc Chagall Art Center
- Church of the Annunciation
- Governor's Palace
- Holy Spirit Convent
- Holy Assumption Cathedral
- Suvorov Street