Smolny Cathedral St. Petersburg
Neva River is world famous. This is in St. Petersburg, Russia. It is a river that is super popular among tourists from all over the world. There are many monuments around it and that makes river cruise in Neva very popular among the visitors. And in this article we will explore one tourist attraction sitting at the bank of Neva River in St. Petersburg, Russia. This is Smolny Cathedral which is more than a century old cathedral. Smolny Cathedral is a part of Smolny Convent or the Smolny Convent of the Resurrection which is located at the Ploschad Rastrelli on the Neva River Bank. Needless to say when you visit St. Petersburg with St. Petersburg Tour Package then you should give Smolny Cathedral a visit when you are on a Neva River cruise or around it. Let us Explore Smolny Cathedral.

Smlony was named after the location of it by locals. Smolny means the place of pitch. In those times in St. Petersburg at the place at the edge of of the city, the pitch (Called Smola in Russian) was processed for use in shipbuilding and maintenance. This was the reason that locals called it Smolny. Smolny Convent which houses Smolny Cathedral was actually built to house Elizabeth, daughter of Peter the Great. Peter the great ruled Tsardom of Russia and Russian Empire later on from 1682 until his death in 1725. And Smolny Cathedral is the main church of Smolny Convent. This blue and white building is a brilliance and architectural master piece. This master piece is design work of Italian architect Franceso Bartolomeo Rastrelli. He designed and built the cathedral between 1748 and 1764. He also wanted to build a bell tower which was supposed to be the tallest building of that time in St. Petersburg. However after the death of Elizabeth in 1762 he could not complete the design. Rastrelli also designed several other landmarks like Winter Palace and Grand Catherine in St. Petersburg.

Smolny Cathedral is center piece of the convent. Cathedral is a bright blue building which is decorated with lush snow-white open-work of stucco cornices, columns, pilasters and a number of other decorative items. So the very first look of the cathedral is quite attractive. Also the facades of cathedral are decorated with gold providing the cathedral building a rich and elegant look. The church was closed by the Soviet authorities in 1923. Until 1982 church was looted and allowed to decay. Then it became a concert hall. However in 2015 Smolny Cathedral was returned to the Russian Orthodox Church. It is planned to be converted back to its original purpose as a church. When you visit Russia with Russia Tour Package, be here and see this beautiful building of cathedral.
The church is 93.7 meters tall and there are also four churches around the cathedral. Currently Smolny Cathedral is used primarily as a concert hall. Your trip to St. Petersburg an ancient city will be visits to many cathedrals and other such monuments. You can surely include Smolny Cathedral in your sightseeing list in St. Petersburg, Russia.
Recent Blogs

Skiing in Kazakhstan: An Adrenaline-rushing Experience for Ski Enthusiasts
- by Dook

Georgia in Winter: An Eternal Journey into Heaven
- by Dook

Moscow in Winter: A Fulfilling Guide to Enjoy Snow Holiday
- by Dook

Istanbul in Winter: A Guide to Breathtaking Winters
- by Dook

New Year in Armenia: A Joyful Beginning and Radiating Start!
- by Dook

New Year in Azerbaijan: Ring into the Happening Start!
- by Dook

New Year in Turkey- Get Ready for One-of-a-Kind Celebrations!
- by Dook

Best Time to Visit Azerbaijan for Ultimate Adventure!
- by Dook

Budget-friendly International Destinations to Celebrate New Year 2024
- by Dook

10 Best Places to Travel in 2024
- by Dook

Top 10 Iconic Museums in Azerbaijan that Depict the Art & History
- by Dook

Winter in Uzbekistan: A Surreal Getaway to Winter Wonderland
- by Dook

Shopping in Uzbekistan: A Heartfelt Experience for Travelers
- by Dook

Azerbaijan Food: Taste 10 Most Flavorful Cuisines
- by Dook

Winter in Kazakhstan: A Snow-filled Holiday Experience
- by Dook

10 Best Cafes in Moscow that Are Perfect for Hangout
- by Dook

10 Best Shopping Destinations in Almaty for a Shopaholic Heart
- by Dook

Experience the Magic of Winter in Azerbaijan
- by Dook

10 Best National Parks in Turkey for a Tranquil Escape
- by Dook

Top 15 Stunning Cities in Serbia to Visit
- by Dook

Top 10 Timeless Historical Places in Turkey
- by Dook

Turkey in Winter: A Heaven-Like Experience
- by Dook

10 Best Restaurants in Almaty & Kazakhstan
- by Dook

Shopping in Georgia Tbilisi - 10 Best Shopping Centres & Malls
- by Dook

15 Interesting Facts About Uzbekistan
- by Dook

Top 21 Most Visited Cities in Turkey
- by Dook

15 Most Popular Russian Food & Cuisines
- by Dook

10 Best Cities in Kyrgyzstan to Visit
- by Dook

Winter in Russia: A Heartfelt Experience for a Snow-Lover
- by Dook