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Cathedral of Saint Sophia

cathedral, Polatsk, Belarus

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The Cathedral of Saint Sophia in Polatsk, Belarus, is one of the country's oldest surviving architectural monuments. Constructed in the 11th century in the Eastern Orthodox style, it dates back to the time of Prince Vladimir and was built under Bishop Luke for Prince Yaroslav the Wise's son. The cathedral's nucleus features a domed, cruciform structure with five aisles supported by 12 pillars and traditionally has five domes, though it originally had only three apses. Galleries once surrounded the church, later expanded to a second story. The cathedral has undergone restorations, including after damage in World War II.12

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