St. Michael's Orthodox Cathedral
240 Lincoln St., Sitka, Alaska
Constructed in the 1840s while Alaska was under Russian rule, St. Michael’s Cathedral was once the seat of the Russian Orthodox Church in North America. Sadly, the church caught fire in 1966, but the townspeople salvaged what they could of the church and rebuilt an exact replica. Today, the landmark houses an important collection of Russian Orthodox art and church artifacts.
St. Michael’s Cathedral is one of Sitka’s best-known sights, and the cathedral’s dome, bell tower, and cross can be seen from almost anywhere in town. An active church with a largely Indigenous congregation, St. Michael's holds services in English with many hymns sung in Tlingit, Aleut, Yupik, and Slavonic languages. Combine a tour of church with a visit to the Russian Bishop’s Museum for a fascinating introduction to Sitka’s Russian heritage.
St. Michael’s Cathedral is a must-see for history and architecture buffs.
A small donation is requested to tour the church.
The building is wheelchair accessible.
St. Michael’s Cathedral is located in the center of Sitka, within walking distance of the Baranof Castle, Totem Square, and the Russian Bishop’s House. Most visitors arrive in Sitka by cruise ship or via the ferry from Juneau. Downtown Sitka is small and compact, so it's easy to walk, bike, or take a taxi between the main city attractions.
Sitka’s St. Michael’s Cathedral is open to visitors from morning to late afternoon during the summer months when cruise ships are in port. Evening services are offered on weekdays, and morning and evening services are held on Sundays. Tours of the cathedral may be available during the winter months with advance notice.
Legend has it that the Russian ship Neva was carrying a painting of St. Michael when it sank, bound for Sitka. Thirty days later, a crate containing the painting washed up on the shore unscathed, inspiring the naming of the cathedral. This painting of St. Michael also survived the fire and can be viewed inside the church.
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