St. Petersburg

St. Petersburg Churches, Monasteries, Cathedrals

St. Petersburg is endowed with hundreds of churches representing scores of faiths, but is probably most renowned for its unparalleled collection of Russian Orthodox Cathedrals. In fact, the current head of the Russian Orthodox Church Metropolitan Alexy II formerly headed the regional Metropolitan of St. Petersburg and Ladoga Russian Orthodox Church.

Alexander Nevsky Monastery
Historic and revitalized Alexander Nevsky Monastery is a beautiful complex of churches and prestigious cemeteries that shelter the graves of many Russian cultural giants including Tchaikovsky, Dostoevsky, Glinka and others.

The Cathedral of SS Peter & Paul (1712-1733), with its gleaming landmark needle-thin spire, magnificent Baroque interior and burial site for most of the pre-Revolutionary Russian Tsars, was the historic center of St. Petersburg.

Church of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ - Commonly referred to as the Savior on the Blood Church because it was built as a memorial on the spot where Emperor Alexander II was assassinated on March 1, 1881. Restorers say the church contains more mosaics than any other church in the world.

Smolny Cathedral (1748-1754), located on Ploshchad Rastrelli, is one of the most beautiful churches in St. Petersburg. Its dazzling cupolas and Baroque style architecture rise majestically above the banks of the Neva River.

St. Nicholas' Naval Cathedral - The golden Baroque spires and domes of St. Nicholas' Naval Cathedral of the Theophany (1753-62) rise and shine above the bland residential and commercial buildings in an especially picturesque part of the Northern Capital's historic center.

St. Sampson Cathedral - The five enchanting golden Baroque style cupolas of historic St. Sampson Cathedral (1728-1733) rise dazzlingly above the far end of Sampsonievsky garden. The church was originally built in memory of the Russian victory at Poltava on July 8, 1709.

Transfiguration Cathedral - One of the most visited cathedrals in the Northern Capital, historic Savior of the Transfiguration Cathedral (1827-29) rises above Transfiguration Ploshchad close to Liteyny Prospect.

Trinity Cathedral - The large blue-domed Trinity Cathedral (1828-35) located a short walk across the footbridge from St. Nicholas Naval Cathedral is a fine example of classical edifice built by the renowned Russian architect Vasily Stasov.

Vladimir Mother of God Icon Church - Completed in 1783, beautiful and historic Vladimir Mother of God Icon Church is one of the oldest and most unique churches in St. Petersburg. It's combination of baroque and classical architectural styles are truly fascinating.