For five months in 2011, I called St. Petersburg home. It was a hell of an experience ā sometimes I look back and can scarcely believe how lucky I was to live in such an amazing city.
Of course one thing Russia is famed for is its churches. And despite St. Petersburg being the most European of Russiaās cities (which means its Orthodox churches are generally less prominent than in other Russian cities), there are still plenty of beautiful examples to be found. Here are my favourite five.
For more hidden gems in St. Petersburg, check out my hipster guide to the city.
Beautiful churches in St. Petersburg: the St. Nicholas Naval Cathedral
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I stumbled upon this cathedral shortly after moving into my flat in St. Petersburg. It was late February and I decided to go for a walk around the neighbourhood. When I got to the church, it started snowing and I managed to get capture some of my favourite photos from my whole time in the city.
Known as a naval cathedral, the church has always had strong links to the Russian navy and there are numerous memorials to crews of sunken submarines inside.
St. Petersburg’s best hidden churches: Chesme Church
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I absolutely love this church, purely for its unique exterior (though the interior is a bit lacking). According to Wikipedia, the church was built in an early Gothic Revival style and is a bit of a rare specimen, which I can definitely believe ā I certainly havenāt seen anything similar in Russia.
The churchās location is also quite interesting: found in the south of the city near the Moskovskaya metro station, the church is located in the middle of a housing estate. It really is hidden away and youād have no idea it was there if you didnāt make the effort to find it.Ā I love the way it looks in the snow.
Churches in St. Petersburg: The Church on Spilled Blood
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Probably the most recognised landmark of St. Petersburg, the Church on Spilled Blood is probably one of the most interesting Orthodox Churches Iāve seen: the exterior is ridiculously ornate and the detail goes beyond that of even St. Basilās. I also like the fact that it juts out into the Griboyedov canal, as it was built on the spot where Alexander II was assassinated.
Despite its impressive faƧade, I have to be honest and say I just donāt like it very much. Itās impressive definitely, but Iām just not sure if it looks nice. I think Iām more of a St. Basilās manā¦
St. Petersburg’s churches: Kazan Cathedral
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Located opposite the Church on Spilled Blood, Kazan Cathedral is a giant. It is huge. Modelled on St. Peterās Basilica in Rome, the Kazan Cathedral is the āmother cathedralā of St. Petersburg. Inside, youāll find queues of believers waiting to pray at the altar and kiss the icons.
I donāt often enter Orthodox Churches (mostly they are deeply religious places and Iām not very religious myself) but the interior of the Kazan Cathedral is jaw-dropping. The scale of it is incredible. Definitely not one to miss.
Beautiful churches in St. Petersburg: Smolny Cathedral
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Smolny was originally a convent and as such is an entire complex of buildings, with the cathedral at its centre. Today, the cathedral is used primarily as a concert hall and some of the surrounding buildings are occupied by the Saint Petersburg State University.
Now I have to admit, I havenāt been inside Smolny Cathedral. In fact, these photos are the closest I ever came to it ā and I only did that once (in my defence, itās really far from the closest metro stop). Nevertheless, I decided to include the cathedral because it really is beautiful and I have fond memories of the afternoon I visited ā on a gloriously sunny afternoon when my friend came to visit me from the UK.
There are more photos of the churches below. You can check out more photos from St. Petersburg here.
Have you visited St. Petersburg before? Would you like to?
Comment below!
They’re absolutely stunning. I have always wanted to go to St Petersburg. It looks such a interesting city. And cold!
Definitely cold in winter, but beautifully warm in summer – regularly goes above 30 in June/July!
Wow, amazing pictures! I haven’t been to St Petersburg yet but its high on my list of places to visit.
Glad to hear it! It’s an incredible city. I think June is the best time to visit, but it does look magical in winter, too.
Back when I went on a guided trip of Leningrad the tours did not go to churches, so I don’t think I visited any of those. I’d love to go back to St. Petersburg and see the Hermitage again, and this time maybe even venture out onto the city myself, but that won’t happen any time soon. Some day, I hope… Some day….
How interesting – I bet a trip to the USSR was fascinating! You should go back to see if things have changed – I bet they have…
Love them all! ā„
Thanks Guilia – there are plenty more beautiful churches and building in SPB but I couldn’t fit them all in š
I really liked churches in StP too – though I’ve only checked off 3 of your 5. I had no idea about that pink cupcake at all! And Smolny was a bit too far for me to venture out… plus it was gray and cold, and wouldnt be the best visual.
The ‘pink cupcake’ as you call it must be the biggest hidden gem in the city – I can’t even remember how I found it, but I love how it looks – I haven’t seen anything in Russia like it.
Smolny is REALLY far from anything, but I wish I’d made just a little bit more effort.
Which is your fave in SPB? Any ones in MSK I should look out for?
Savior on the Blood is really whimsical, right up my alley – I wish I had gotten there just a wee bit earlier and checked out the interior, I’ve heard it is BEYOND.
In Moscow, aside from St Basil’s and Christ the Savior (which, let’s admit it, are the usual suspects in every guide book), I dont think I am partial to any particular one. I really like the feel of Novospassky and Vysokopetrovsky monasteries, but it’s probably bc I grew up next to the former and now live to next door to the latter š Novodevichy convent looks really cool across from the pond it’s on, but it’s far too touristy for my licking – it lacks the proper ecclesiastical air.
Novodevichy is top of my list when I next go back to Moscow actually (don’t judge!), but I don’t think any there could beat Yaroslavl for pure numbers – an onion dome around every corner.
Woah, the second one is stunning! When I’ll be visiting St Petersburg (whenever that may be), I’ll make sure I’ll visit it! š
The second one doesn’t look quite as amazing in summer, so you’ll have to go in winter in around -30 š
Russia is firmly on our list for 2015, and I am so excited to plan it. These all look gorgeous!
I’m hoping to get back this year too! It probably won’t be until October/November though. When and where are you thinking??
we were thinking we might go in April. So many options, but its always felt totally intriguing to me
Great list! I have been to Russia many times, but never to St.Petersburg! When I’m working out in Russia next year, I’m going to make it a priority to visit St.Petersburg and when there hopefully I will be able to visit all of these churches.