The cathedral is the only Catholic church in the world that features a minaret topped with a statue of the Virgin Mary.
During the Ottoman rule (1672–1699), the cathedral was repurposed into the main city mosque, Hunkar-Jami.
The statue of the Virgin Mary was installed on top of the former minaret in 1756 to commemorate the end of the Ottoman occupation.
The cathedral houses the grave of Laura Przezdziecka, an 18th-century noblewoman whose marble tomb is considered a masterpiece of late Romantic sculpture.
A working pipe organ, originally installed in the 19th century, is frequently used for classical music concerts.
The cathedral’s foundation stone dates back to the 14th century, though most visible elements are from the 16th and 18th centuries.
Saints Peter and Paul Cathedral in Kamianets-Podilskyi is uniquely defined by its history as a building that functioned simultaneously as a Catholic cathedral and a Muslim mosque during the Ottoman occupation. The structure features a distinctive 36-meter tall minaret preserved from the Ottoman period, which was converted into a bell tower by adding a statue of the Virgin Mary at the summit. The interior contains a 19th-century pipe organ and ornate funerary monuments of the local nobility. Its architectural profile blends Romanesque, Gothic, and Renaissance influences with later Baroque additions. The cathedral serves as a functioning Catholic place of worship while operating as a key historical site within the Old Town. It is situated on the plateau of the Old Town, surrounded by the Smotrych River canyon.
From the street level of Tatarska Street looking up at the minaret-bell tower to capture the juxtaposition of the Islamic architecture and the Catholic statue.
Check the schedule for local chamber music or organ recitals held inside the cathedral for a unique acoustic experience.
Visit the adjacent courtyard to see the transition between the medieval stone masonry and the Ottoman-era tower construction.
Avoid taking photographs during active religious services, as this is discouraged by the parish.
Shoulders and knees must be covered; hats should be removed upon entry; maintain silence as it is an active house of worship.
