Smolny Cathedral

Smolny Convent or Smolny Convent of the Resurrection, located on Ploschad Rastrelli, on the bank of the River Neva in Saint Petersburg, Russia, consists of a cathedral (sobor) and a complex of buildings surrounding it, originally intended for a convent. Smolny Cathedral was originally intended to be the central church of a monastery to house the daughter of Peter the Great, Elizabeth, after she was disallowed to take the throne and opted instead to become a nun. However, as soon as her Imperial predecessor was overthrown during a coup, carried out by the royal guards, Elizabeth decided to forget the whole idea of monastic life and accepted the offer of the Russian throne.

About this building

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Key Features

  • Architecture
  • Monuments

Visitors information

  • Bus stop within 100m
  • Accessible toilets nearby

Other nearby buildings

Choral Synagogue

The Grand Choral Synagogue of St. Petersburg is the third-largest synagogue in Europe and it is sometimes referred to as St. Petersburg Synagogue or Bolshaya Sinagoga. It was built between 1880 and 1888, and consecrated in December 1893. The building has a blend of neo-Byzantine and Moorish revival styles with Arabesque motifs.

Wikimedia Commons/Tatu Kosonen

Vyborg's Old Cathedral

Vyborg's old cathedral is the oldest existing church building in Vyborg, having been built between 1435 and 1445. The original medieval appearance of the church is not known, as it has since been altered and destroyed quite extensively by fires and wars (Great Northern War and Winter War). The church had functioned as a Catholic, Orthodox and Lutheran church. The church tower is still standing and has become one of the symbols of Vyborg next to the castle.