Uspenski Cathedral is dedicated to the Virgin Mary and the main cathedral to the Orthodox Church of Finland.
Because of a growing orthodox parish in the city, there was need for a larger church than the Holy Trinity Church. The building of the Uspenski cathedral began in 1862 and was finished in 1868, largely funded by private donors and parishioners. The 700,000 bricks that were used in the building of the church were brought in on barges from the demolished Bomarsund Fortress.
The cathedral resides atop a hillside that overlooks the city, this cathedral is claimed to be the largest Orthodox Church of Western Europe. Annually welcoming half a million tourists. A visit to the church comes free of charge.
