Church of the Savior on Blood, Eastern Orthodox church building near Griboyedov Canal, Saint Petersburg, Russia
The Church of the Savior on Blood is an Orthodox cathedral standing on the embankment of the Griboyedov Canal in Saint Petersburg, Russia. Five domes covered in enamel decoration crown the brick structure that rises 81 meters (266 feet) above the waterway.
Emperor Alexander II died in an attack at this spot in 1881. His son Alexander III then commissioned this memorial structure, which was finished in 1907.
The name refers to the 1881 attack and the tradition of building memorial structures. Today people come from around the world to view the mosaic art and experience the place where history unfolded.
The entrance lies close to the canal and can be reached by flat pathways. Audio guides help visitors follow the route and learn about the interior spaces.
The interior holds 7,065 square meters of mosaics, possibly the second-largest collection in the world after the Cathedral Basilica of St. Louis with 7,700 square meters. The shrine over the assassination spot is set with topaz and lazurite, contrasting with the cobblestones of the old road exposed in the floor.
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