About Novosibirsk, Russian Federation:
Novosibirsk is located in Siberia, and is the third-largest city in Russia. The Trans-Siberian Railway fueled much of the city’s 19th-century growth, symbolized by the Novosibirsk Rail Bridge, which still stands today. Novosibirsk’s Catholic community has historical roots dating back to the late 19th century, primarily among German and Polish settlers.
Under Stalin, the Roman Catholics of the USSR suffered horribly, but post-Perestroika, Catholic churches began to re-emerge. The Roman Catholic Diocese of the Transfiguration at Novosibirsk was established in 1991 and promoted in 2002, overseeing the region, covering 70 parishes across a vast area.
In the city center is the 19th-century, Byzantine-style Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, with its golden domes. The expansive Novosibirsk Opera and Ballet Theater borders Lenin Square.
Novosibirsk is the host of the most important Russian Catholic media, and the former Papal Nuncio in Moscow wrote his dissertation on “The Catholics of Siberia.”
Catholic places of interest in Novosibirsk, Russian Federation:
Cathedral of the Transfiguration of Our Lord