St. Petersburg is home to some of the most breathtaking cathedrals and churches, many of which reflect the grandeur of imperial Russia.
St. Issac's Cathedral is the largest church in St. Petersburg, it took 40 years to build and features lavish interiors and a stunning colonnade offering panoramic city views. Church of the Savior on Spilled Blood was built as a memorial to Emperor Alexander II, this church is famous for its intricate mosaics, said to be the most extensive collection in any church worldwide. Smolny Cathedral is a dazzling blue-and-white Baroque structure that was originally part of a convent and remains one of the city’s most beautiful churches. Kazan Cathedral is inspired by St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome, this neoclassical cathedral is an architectural gem. Alexander Nevsky Monastery is an historic monastery with a prestigious cemetery where Russian cultural giants like Tchaikovsky and Dostoevsky are buried. Naval Cathedral of St. Nicholas is an baroque-style church near the Mariinsky Theater, historically tied to the Russian Fleet.
Each of these sites offers a unique glimpse into St. Petersburg’s rich history and architectural splendor.
St. Issac's Cathedral
St Isaac’s dates back to 1707 and was initially a small wooden church. It was rebuilt four times to provide the structure we see today. The final version was built by Auguste de Montferrand and became St Petersburg’s main cathedral. After the Revolution St Isaac’s was looted and the Museum of Atheism installed inside. During the Siege of Leningrad, treasures and artwork from the city’s museums were stored in the cathedral’s basement, and St Isaac’s Square was used to grow food. After the October Revolution, St Isaac’s Cathedral was looted and the Museum of Atheism was opened inside. But the cathedral was not to fall to ruin and disrepair, and continued holding vital importance in the city. During the Siege of Leningrad, artworks and exhibits from Leningrad’s museums were hidden away in the cathedral’s basement, and a cabbage field was planted on St Isaac’s Square. The gilded dome was also painted grey to confuse the German bombers who used the cathedral as a useful landmark. Since 1990, services have resumed at St Isaac’s Cathedral on special occasions. It remains open to the public as a museum, although there have been disputes in the last few years over whether the cathedral should be returned to the Russian Orthodox Church.
St. Isaac’s Cathedral is one of St. Petersburg’s most iconic landmarks, blending architectural grandeur with historical significance. It took 40 years to build and was completed in 1858, standing as the largest Orthodox basilica in the city. Its golden dome, visible from miles away, dominates the skyline, and the cathedral’s interiors are adorned with stunning mosaics, marble columns, and intricate frescoes. 10,000 tree trunks formed the foundations of the cathedral, and 112 monolithic marble columns were quarried and sailed nearly 150km to St Petersburg. The exterior is embellished with four enormous porticos and small domes, and one huge central dome covered in 100kg of gold leaf.
The interior masterfully synthesises several artistic mediums. Literal tons of precious metals and stones were used to decorate it. One of its most remarkable features is the colonnade, which offers breathtaking panoramic views of St. Petersburg. The cathedral was originally a place of worship but later became a museum, preserving its rich history and artistry. Admire the lavishly decorated interior with its iconostasis, rare murals and stained-glass, statues, mosaics, and a small exhibition.
Climb to the 43-metre high colonnade for an unobstructed view over St Petersburg’s skyline and its most famous landmarks. For a most magnificent view over St Petersburg, climb the 262 steps to the colonnade of St Isaac’s Cathedral. From a height of 43 metres you will enjoy a panoramic vista reaching all the way to the horizon. Fascinatingly, the view from the cathedral to different parts of the city has remained remarkably unchanged over time due to St Petersburg’s protected skyline. It’s well worth bringing a pair of binoculars or using those mounted on the colonnade, as some of the city’s most famous landmarks lie in close proximity to St Isaac’s Cathedral.
To the west you’ll see the Senate Building, Finnish Gulf and St Petersburg’s docklands. To the north, the River Neva, Admiralty, and the magnificent buildings of University Embankment. To the east lie Palace Square, the Winter Palace, and Peter and Paul Fortress, and to the south is the Mariinsky Palace and St Isaac’s Square.
Church of the Spilled Blood
The Church of the Savior on Spilled Blood is one of St. Petersburg’s most striking landmarks, built between 1883 and 1907 to commemorate Emperor Alexander II, who was assassinated on this very site. Its architecture is a stunning example of Russian Revival style, heavily inspired by St. Basil’s Cathedral in Moscow, with its vibrant domes and intricate mosaics. Inside, the church boasts over 7,000 square meters of mosaics, making it one of the largest mosaic collections in Europe. The shrine marking the exact spot of Alexander II’s assassination is adorned with topaz, lazurite, and other semi-precious stones, contrasting with the preserved cobblestones of the original road. After the Russian Revolution, the church was looted and later repurposed as a warehouse. It remained closed for decades until a massive restoration effort culminated in its grand reopening in 1997. Tsar Alexander II, known as the ‘Tsar Liberator’, was assassinated by nihilist revolutionaries on 1st March 1881. His successor, Alexander III, decided to build a church on the spot where he had been unalived.
The new Tsar selected an unusual architectural style for the new church. It was an evolution of the ‘Russian style’ inspired by medieval Russian architecture, a striking contrast to St Petersburg’s surrounding buildings. During the Soviet period the church was nearly damaged beyond repair, and even had a shell lodged in its ceiling for nearly 20 years. However, the director of St Isaac’s Cathedral arranged for its restoration and transformation into a museum.
The church’s exterior incorporates layers of decorative elements into one unique project celebrating Russia’s heritage. Every inch is covered with glazed tiles, ornamental corbels and architraves, carved archways and columns, and semi-circular kokoshniks containing colourful mosaics. Engravings on 20 granite plaques retell the most important events of Alexander’s reign. The magnificent bell tower is covered in 134 mosaics representing the coats-of-arms of the Russian cities and provinces which donated towards the church’s construction. Pride of place on the bell tower is an icon of Saint Alexander Nevsky, after who the fallen Tsar was named. Directly below the gilded belfry lies the spot where Alexander II was wounded. Five other cupolas are covered in 1000 square meters of jewellers’ enamel in blue, green, white and yellow, arranged in different patterns. The tallest dome reaches a height of 81 metres!
Upon entrance to the cathedral you are immediately struck by colour on every side. Icon cases around the room are made of porphyry, jasper and quartz, the floor comprises 10 types of coloured marble arranged into 45 geometric patterns, and each wall is supported by snakeskin-like serpentinite or iridescent labradorite. The iconostasis is made from warm coloured marble and gleaming silver, inset with mosaic icons and precious stones. A wall of mosaic covers every inch of the cathedral’s interior, masterfully created by the workshop of craftsman Vladimir Frolov. The artwork depicts religious narratives and figures as well as natural motifs. This was the first time that mosaic provided the primary decorative method of a Russian church. Designed to be viewed from a distance and using an incredibly rich array of shades, some of the mosaics are startlingly realistic and accurately capture the light, colour and emotion of the scenes they depict. A canopy made from jasper, rhodonite, topaz and lapis lazuli protects the exact spot where Alexander fell. Inside the canopy are the original cobblestones and pavement of the assassination site. Although the canopy itself is sombre and dark, the mosaics surrounding it are set into a gold background which glows in the light streaming through the windows.
Smolny Cathedral
The Smolny Cathedral is a stunning blue-and-white Baroque masterpiece, designed by the renowned Italian architect Bartolomeo Rastrelli, who also created the Winter Palace and Catherine Palace. Originally intended as part of a convent for Empress Elizabeth, daughter of Peter the Great, the cathedral’s construction began in 1748 but was left incomplete due to shifting architectural tastes and funding shortages. One of its most ambitious features was a planned bell tower, which was meant to be the tallest in Russia at the time. However, after Elizabeth’s death, the project stalled, and the cathedral was only completed in 1835 by architect Vasily Stasov, who added a Neoclassical interior.
During the Soviet era, the cathedral was closed, looted, and left to decay until it was repurposed as a concert hall in 1982. In 2015, it was returned to the Russian Orthodox Church, and today, it serves as an active place of worship while still hosting concerts. Its five domes and ornate façade make it one of the most visually striking churches in St. Petersburg.
Kazan Cathedral
The Kazan Cathedral, also known as the Cathedral of Our Lady of Kazan, is one of St. Petersburg’s most significant religious and historical landmarks. Built between 1801 and 1811, it was designed by Andrey Voronikhin, who modeled it after St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome. Its grand colonnade, stretching along Nevsky Prospekt, gives it a distinctive and monumental presence. Originally intended as a place of worship, the cathedral took on a patriotic role after Russia’s victory over Napoleon in 1812. It became a memorial to the war, with captured enemy banners displayed inside. The famous Russian general Mikhail Kutuzov, who led the fight against Napoleon, is buried here, and statues of Kutuzov and Barclay de Tolly stand in front of the cathedral. During the Soviet era, the cathedral was repurposed as the Museum of the History of Religion and Atheism, but in the 1990s, it was restored to its original religious function.
Today, it remains an active Russian Orthodox church, housing one of Russia’s most venerated icons, Our Lady of Kazan. Its interior is equally impressive, featuring majestic columns, gilded decorations, and an awe-inspiring dome.
Alexander Nevesky Monastery
The Alexander Nevsky Monastery, also known as the Alexander Nevsky Lavra, is one of St. Petersburg’s most historically significant religious sites.
Founded by Peter the Great in 1710, it was originally believed to be the site of the Neva Battle of 1240, where Prince Alexander Nevsky defeated the Swedes—though later research showed the battle actually took place about 19 kilometers away. The monastery was officially established in 1713, and in 1724, the relics of Saint Alexander Nevsky were transferred here from Vladimir by decree of Peter the Great. Over time, the monastery became one of the most prestigious in Russia, earning the rank of Lavra in 1797, making it only the third lavra in the Russian Orthodox Church after Kiev Pechersk Lavra and Trinity Lavra of St. Sergius. Holy Trinity Cathedral is the main church of the monastery, built between 1778 and 1790, featuring a Neoclassical design.
Annunciation Church is one of the oldest structures, consecrated in 1713 in the presence of Peter the Great. Feodorovskaya Church was built between 1742 and 1750, designed by Trezzini, the same architect behind many of St. Petersburg’s landmarks. The monastery grounds contain several historic cemeteries, where notable Russian figures such as Tchaikovsky, Dostoevsky, and Leonhard Euler are buried. During the Soviet era, the monastery suffered looting and repurposing, but restoration efforts have preserved much of its grandeur.
St. Nicholas Naval Cathedral
The St. Nicholas Naval Cathedral is a magnificent Baroque Orthodox cathedral in St. Petersburg, closely tied to the Russian Navy. Built between 1753 and 1762 by architect Savva Chevakinsky, it served as the main naval shrine until the Russian Revolution. The cathedral features five gilded domes, Corinthian columns, and intricate stucco decorations, making it a prime example of Elizabethan Baroque.
It consists of two separate churches: the Saint Nicholas Church on the ground level and the Epiphany Church above. The freestanding bell tower, built between 1755 and 1758, is a striking four-story structure with a golden spire. The cathedral was consecrated in the presence of Empress Elizabeth and later became a memorial site for fallen sailors. Inside, there are memorial plaques honoring the crews of sunken Soviet submarines, including K-278 Komsomolets and K-141 Kursk. A Tsushima obelisk, erected in 1908, commemorates sailors who perished in the Battle of Tsushima. Despite the turbulence of history, St. Nicholas Naval Cathedral remains one of the few churches that was never closed during Soviet times, continuing to serve as a place of worship. Its rich maritime legacy and stunning architecture make it a must-visit for anyone exploring St. Petersburg.
Why Visit Cathedrals in St. Petersburg
Visiting cathedrals in St. Petersburg is a journey through the city’s imperial grandeur, architectural brilliance, and deep cultural heritage. These landmarks are more than places of worship—they are historical monuments that tell the story of Russia’s evolution, from the reign of Peter the Great to the Soviet era and beyond. Many cathedrals played key roles in Russian history, such as Kazan Cathedral, which became a war memorial after Russia’s victory over Napoleon. The Alexander Nevsky Monastery houses the tombs of Russian icons like Tchaikovsky and Dostoevsky, making it a pilgrimage site for history lovers. Climbing the St. Isaac’s Cathedral colonnade offers breathtaking views of the city’s skyline. The Church of the Savior on Spilled Blood boasts one of the largest collections of mosaics in Europe, creating a mesmerizing visual experience. Each cathedral has a unique story, reflecting the city’s layered history and artistic ambition. If you’re drawn to imperial architecture and cultural depth, these sites are must-visits.
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