The Peter and Paul Cathedral is located in the Palace Park near the Rumyantsev-Paskevich Palace. This Orthodox church is a beautiful example of late 19th-century architecture. The cathedral was built on the site of an old wooden church that had existed since the 17th century. After its completion, the temple became the main Orthodox cathedral of Gomel.
The Peter and Paul Cathedral was constructed between 1809 and 1819 on the initiative of Count Nikolai Petrovich Rumyantsev, an outstanding statesman of the Russian Empire and owner of the Gomel estate. Rumyantsev aimed to transform Gomel into a cultural and spiritual center of the region, and the construction of the cathedral became an important part of his plans. The church was erected in honor of the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul.
During the Soviet era, like many other religious buildings, the Peter and Paul Cathedral was closed but not destroyed. The building housed various institutions, including a museum of atheism. However, in the 1980s, restoration of the cathedral began, and in 1989, it was returned to the faithful.
The Peter and Paul Cathedral is an example of classical architecture, which was popular in Russia in the late 18th and early 19th centuries. The project is attributed to the renowned architect John Clark, although the exact authorship remains a subject of debate among researchers.
The cathedral features a cross-domed structure typical of Orthodox churches. The central part of the cathedral is crowned with a massive dome. The facades of the building are characterized by strict symmetry and minimalistic decor. Corinthian columns, pilasters, and triangular pediments give the cathedral a monumental and solemn appearance.
The interior of the cathedral is also designed in the classical style. The walls are adorned with frescoes depicting biblical scenes and saints. The iconostasis, made of wood and decorated with carvings, is a true work of art. Particular attention is drawn to the ancient icons, some of which have been preserved since the founding of the cathedral.
Near the Peter and Paul Cathedral are the Church of John the Baptist and the Paskevich Family Chapel. The chapel was built between 1870 and 1889 on the initiative of Prince Fyodor Ivanovich Paskevich, the last representative of the noble Paskevich family, who owned the Gomel estate. The chapel became the final resting place for several generations of the Paskevich family. Prince Fyodor Paskevich, his wife Irina, and other family members were buried here.
