Ascension Cathedral, Almaty
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/c1/Almaty-kazakhstan_3.jpg/260px-Almaty-kazakhstan_3.jpg)
The Ascension Cathedral (Russian: Вознесенский собор), also known as Zenkov Cathedral,is a Russian Orthodox cathedral located in Panfilov Park in Almaty, Kazakhstan. Completed in 1907, it is the second tallest wooden building in the world.[1]
History
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/52/E8476-Almaty-Ascension-Cathedral.jpg/220px-E8476-Almaty-Ascension-Cathedral.jpg)
In the late 19th century the first bishops of the Turkistan eparchy discussed the need for a Russian Orthodox Church in Almaty. On September 26, 1903 the bishop of Turkestan and Tashkent, Paisii (Vinogradov) consecrated the foundation of the church. Construction lated between 1904 and 1907. The belfry was erected on September 14, 1906. The cathedral survived the 1911 earthquake with minimal damage.[2]
The inner structure of cathedral was made in the artistic workshops of Moscow and Kiev. The iconostasis was painted by N. Khludov. After the Russian Revolution the cathedral was used to house the Central State Museum of the Kazakh Soviet Socialist Republic. From 1930 to 1940 it was used by important public organizations. The first radio transmitters in Almaty were situated in the cathedral's belfry.[2]
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/a3/Zenkov_Cathedral_Winter.jpg/220px-Zenkov_Cathedral_Winter.jpg)
Restoration work on the cathedral began in 1973 and lasted until 1976. In May 1995 control of the cathedral was returned to the Russian Orthodox Church, and after additional restoration work it was reopened for religious services in 1997. [3] 43°15′32″N 76°57′11″E / 43.258789°N 76.953160°E
References
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/4/4a/Commons-logo.svg/30px-Commons-logo.svg.png)
- ^ Ness, Immanuel. Encyclopedia of World Cities. M E Sharpe Reference, 1999. ISBN 0765680173. Page 19.
- ^ a b Zhamkhanova, K. A., A. K. Botanov, and Manash Kabashevich Kozybaev. Pamiatniki istorii i kulʹtury Almaty: katalog dokumentov. Almaty: Izd-vo Ȯner, 2003. ISBN 9965595577. Page 39.
- ^ Template:Ru icon
External Links
Свято-Вознесенский кафедральный собор Аппарат акима
Медеуского района