Iconic Paris skyline is about to change… thanks to the Russians

Paris’ famous skyline, one of the most recognizable in the world, is soon to be drastically changed with addition of a Russian Orthodox church with five onion-shaped domes. It is planned to be build right next to the Eiffel Tower. Gustave Eiffel’s iron tower which is without a doubt one of the world’s most famous city landmarks, and it’s now going to share the skyline with a new building thanks to the Russians. Moscow recently revealed plans to build a large Orthodox cathedral which will also house a cultural institute, library and a public garden just a short distance away from the Seine and the Eiffel Tower.

The preliminary drawings show a more modern take on the classical form, with an undulating roof of glass with five domes, equipped with state of the art solar panels. The Eiffel Tower in the background. The tallest dome will sit at about 27m above the ground, hardly anything against the 324m structure behind it. Still, before the building permits are granted, the city officials need to make sure that it will “fit in” with the other buildings around it on Paris’ Quai Branly.

The site of the building to-be was bought last year by Moscow, it used to be the Headquarters of the French national weather service. Plans to build don’t start until 2012 and the project is likely to cost upwards of £30 million (on top of the £60 million the city already paid for the property).

If all goes as planned, this church will be the first Russian monument built in Paris in more than 100 years.