Kazan Cathedral is the main cathedral in the St. Petersburg and Ladoga diocese. It is also one of the largest churches found in the former imperial capital and home to the miraculous Our Lady of Kazan icon. The building itself is an outstanding architectural monument and holds an impressive collection of Russian art from the early 19th century. The cathedral was built on the eve of the Patriotic War of 1812 and became a pantheon of military glory after Russia’s victory over Napoleon. French banners, flags and keys to cities captured during the war were put on display inside the church. It is also here that field marshal Mikhail Kutuzov is buried. For Tsar Alexander I, Kazan Cathedral is a tribute to his father, Peter the First’s, memory as he was the one who approved the draft of church’s construction shortly before his painful death. Learn about the masterpiece of Russian architecture as well as the tragic and heroic period, remembered by Kazan Cathedral, in the Russian Travel Guide TV’s new programme.