Interior of Russian Orthodox Church of St Sophia. Harbin (Haerbin) Heilongjiang Province, China. Wintertime
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia: The Cathedral of the Holy Wisdom of God or Saint Sophia Cathedral in Harbin is a former Russian Orthodox church located in the central district of Daoli, Harbin City, Heilongjiang Province, China. St. Sophia Orthodox Cathedral is one of the most magnificent structures in Harbin. It was built in 1907 after the completion of the Trans-Siberian Railway in 1903, which connected Vladivostok to northeast China. The Russian Army Division arrived in this region just after Russia's loss to the Japanese in the Russo-Japanese War (1904–1905). St. Sophia Church was built and completed of timber in March, 1907 as part of a plan to reconsolidate the confidence of the army by building an imposing spiritual symbol. In 1921, Harbin had a population of 300,000, including 100,000 Russians. The church was expanded and renovated from September 23, 1923, when a ceremony was held to celebrate the laying of the cornerstone, to its completion on November 25, 1932, after nine years. The present day St. Sophia Church was hailed as a monumental work of art and the largest Orthodox church in the far east.
Size: 2832px × 4256px
Location: Asia Peoples Republic of China Heilongjiang province Harbin Ha'erbin
Photo credit: © Bert de Ruiter / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
Keywords: asia, bert, china, church, de, dome, haerbin, harbin, heilongjiang, interior, orthodox, peoples, portrait, province, republic, ruiter, russian, saint, sophia, travel, vertical
