One of the most beautiful buildings in Kursk is the St Sergius of Radonezh and Our Lady of Kazan Icon Eparchial Cathedral. It was built between 1752 and 1778 and is a perfect example of Elizabethan baroque. In 1833 Kursk became the main city of its eparchy and this cathedral became the eparchial cathedral. In 1837 a grand bell tower in the empire style was added to the front of the church. The cathedral was closed in 1934 and briefly used as an art gallery and anti-religious museum until it was reopened during the Second World War, remaining open ever since.