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Aerial view of Saint Isaac's Cathedral square and surrounding buildings in Saint Petersburg, Russia.

Saint Petersburg – Part 2

Saint Isaac's Cathedral, Saint Petersburg, Russia.
High-angle view of Saint Isaac's Cathedral roof with a statue, overlooking a park, river, and Saint Petersburg cityscape.
Outlook from Saint Isaac’s Cathedral
Aerial view of Saint Isaac's Cathedral square and surrounding buildings in Saint Petersburg, Russia.
Smolny Cathedral in Saint Petersburg, Russia.

The blue and white Smolny Cathedral is the heart of Smolny Convent.

The complex is located on the banks of the Neva River and was built for Elizabeth, the daughter of Peter the Great. After she could not take the throne, she wanted to become a nun. However, she did not become one.

In 1741 Elizabeth, member of the House of Romanov, became Empress of Russia. She took over the sceptre from Ivan VI, who was proclaimed emperor at the age of only two months, but was overthrown in a coup not one year later.

Smolny Cathedral in Saint Petersburg, Russia, with a large bell in the foreground.

The church of the convent was designed by the Italian architect Francesco Bartolomeo Rastrelli. He was also responsible for the design of the Winter Palace, Peterhof Palace near St. Petersburg and Saint Andrew’s Church in Kiev.

Large bronze bell with inscriptions, in front of Smolny Cathedral.
Smolny Cathedral entrance in St. Petersburg, Russia.

In 1923 the churches were closed by the Soviet authorities. 92 years later it was returned to the Russian Orthodox Church and is being used as a church again.

Interior of Smolny Cathedral in Russia, showing ornate gold iconostasis and white columns.
Interior of Smolny Cathedral in Russia showing rows of ornate icon stands with religious paintings and people praying.
Interior view of Smolny Cathedral dome and wall.
Interior of Smolny Cathedral in Russia, featuring ornate white columns and religious icons.
Ornate gold and white iconostasis with icon of Saint Tatiana.
Interior of Smolny Cathedral in St. Petersburg, Russia, showing ornate iconostasis and religious icons.
Woman walking past a white building in Russia.
People walk on a sidewalk in front of a large building with many columns and windows.
Bryantsev Youth Theatre in sunny weather.
Monument to Aleksandr Griboyedov in a park.
Pale yellow classical building with columns on a waterfront in St. Petersburg, Russia.
Church of the Holy Great Martyr and Healer Panteleimon, red and white building with two domes and bell tower.
Saint Michael's Castle in Saint Petersburg, Russia.
Three tour boats on the Neva River in St. Petersburg, Russia, with a large orange building in the background.
Saint Petersburg
Saint Petersburg, Russia: buildings and church dome under cloudy sky.
Saint Petersburg – Part 1
The Impressiveness of Saint Petersburg
Aerial view of Saint Isaac's Cathedral square and surrounding buildings in Saint Petersburg, Russia.
Saint Petersburg – Part 2
Light and High
Ornate gold throne in the Hermitage Museum, St. Petersburg.
Hermitage Museum
The Art of the second-largest Museum in the World

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