The five domes
One central and four smaller.
Andrzej Otrębski — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Zairon — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Zairon — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Andrzej Otrębski — CC BY-SA 4.0 · ---=XEON=--- — CC BY 3.0
St. Nicholas Naval Cathedral is a large Russian Orthodox church in Karosta, the former naval base north of the city of Liepāja. Golden domes rise above a front patterned in coloured brick, among trees and modest buildings, a huge surprise in a quiet district and the top sight on the city's north side. Vasily Kosyakov designed it in the style of 17th-century Russian churches, with a central dome representing Christ and four smaller domes for the evangelists. The cornerstone was laid in the presence of Tsar Nicholas II, it was finished in 1903 and it was dedicated to the patron saint of seafarers with the Tsar attending. It was built as the church of the Russian navy at Karosta, itself constructed from 1890 to 1906. Steps rise to a great arched door, wrapped in layers of carved brick with gold and blue colours under a religious panel. The front climbs to the shining domes, seen from afar along a long path lined with trees and, in spring, purple flowers. At night the front is lit, looking grander still in the quiet district. It is 39 km in a straight line from Pāvilosta and 194 km from Riga, close to the old Karosta Prison. This is a place of worship, so dress modestly, cover your head if asked and ask before taking pictures inside. An older source gives hours of 8:00 to 17:00, so check.
One central and four smaller.
Carved brick and gold.
A view from afar.
Karosta, north of Liepāja
Modest dress, and cover your head if asked.
To serve the Russian navy at the Karosta base.