Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul. A cathedral with a minaret crowned by a statue of the Virgin Mary and Laura’s marble tomb

The minaret with a statue of the Virgin Mary by the Cathedral of Sts. Peter and Paul
Laura’s marble tomb in the Cathedral of Sts. Peter and Paul
The Cathedral of Sts. Peter and Paul in Kamianets-Podilskyi
The triumphal arch by the Cathedral of Sts. Peter and Paul
The minaret and walls of the Cathedral of Sts. Peter and Paul
The minaret with a statue of the Virgin Mary by the Cathedral of Sts. Peter and PaulLaura’s marble tomb in the Cathedral of Sts. Peter and PaulThe Cathedral of Sts. Peter and Paul in Kamianets-PodilskyiThe triumphal arch by the Cathedral of Sts. Peter and PaulThe minaret and walls of the Cathedral of Sts. Peter and Paul

The Cathedral of the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul is one of the best-known landmarks of the Old Town of Kamianets-Podilskyi. Next to the cathedral rises a minaret built during Ottoman rule, topped since 1756 by a gilded statue of the Virgin Mary. Inside are altars, stained-glass windows and the marble tomb of young Laura, considered a masterpiece by sculptor Wiktor Brodzki.

Why visit

  • A rare combination: a Catholic cathedral and a minaret topped by a gilded statue of the Virgin Mary
  • The marble tomb of young Laura by Wiktor Brodzki – one of the masterpieces of sculpture in Ukraine
  • Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque in one church, with a bell tower and a triumphal arch next to it
  • A living trace of the Ottoman era: the minaret stayed in place even after the town was returned in 1699
  • Free entry – the cathedral fits easily into a walk around the Old Town, the Town Hall and the fortress
  • A cozy courtyard with evergreen trees and flowers – one of the most photogenic spots in the Old Town

Good to know

Admission
Entry to the church is free.
Services
Sunday Masses are at 8:30, 11:30 and 16:00. Tours and photography are not appropriate during services.
Best photo spots
The cathedral and minaret look most striking from the courtyard in front of the main entrance, especially on a sunny day against a blue sky.
Good to know
The church is an active place of worship, so modest clothing and quiet are appropriate.
Getting there
The church stands in the Old Town next to Polish Market Square – a few minutes’ walk from the Town Hall.

The church has lived through several eras. In 1672, when Kamianets came under Ottoman rule for 27 years, the cathedral was turned into the town’s main mosque and a minaret was built next to the entrance. After the town was returned, the minaret was not torn down; instead, in 1756 a 4.5-meter Baroque statue of the Virgin Mary was placed on top of it as a sign of the triumph of Christianity. The architectural ensemble consists of the church, a bell tower, a triumphal arch and the minaret. Over time the church’s Gothic core gained Renaissance and Baroque layers, so it is worth walking all the way around the cathedral – it looks completely different from each side. Inside, in the Councillors’ Chapel, stands the tomb of 21-year-old Laura Przezdziecka. Sculptor Wiktor Brodzki carved it from a block of Carrara marble in 1874–1876: the composition weighs about 4 tons, and the girl’s features show even through the marble veil. The church is the active cathedral of the Diocese of Kamianets-Podilskyi: entry is free, and during services visitors should keep quiet and not use flash photography.