Smolny Cathedral, Cathedral in Tsentralny District, Saint Petersburg, Russia
Smolny Cathedral is a baroque church with a museum in the Tsentralny District of Saint Petersburg, Russia. The building displays five domes above light blue and white masonry and rises to a height of approximately 94 meters.
Construction started in 1748 under the direction of architect Francesco Bartolomeo Rastrelli on orders from Empress Elizabeth. Completion came only in 1835 after several interruptions and changes to the original design.
The name comes from a former tar production facility that once stood on this site, with the Russian word smola meaning tar or pitch. Today visitors encounter regular classical concerts in the space, which blends its monastic origin with use as a performance venue.
Access is possible on weekdays, with opening times starting slightly earlier on Sundays. Guided tours are offered daily during summer and suit guests who want to learn more about the architecture and history.
The bell tower houses an observation deck at around 50 meters high, which ranks as one of the tallest accessible viewing points in the city. From there visitors can enjoy a wide view over the historic quarters and waterways of Saint Petersburg.
Location: Tsentralny District
Inception: 1748
Architects: Francesco Bartolomeo Rastrelli
Architectural style: baroque architecture
Address: площадь Растрелли
Website: http://smolnyspb.ru
GPS coordinates: 59.94888,30.39559
Latest update: December 12, 2025 17:55
This collection presents major Orthodox churches and monasteries across Russia, spanning from medieval to modern times. The buildings shape city skylines with their distinctive onion domes, which remain a defining feature of Russian religious architecture. Mosaics and frescoes decorate the interior...
Smolny Institute
280 m
Smolny Convent
44 m
Kikin Hall
504 m
Alexandrovsky Institute
227 m
Malookhtinsky Bridge
648 m
Monument to Lenin in front of Smolny
293 mScenic viewpoint
617 mФридрих Энгельс
288 mДвое
670 mДаная
658 mКариатида
653 mОрфей
654 mСемья
660 mScenic viewpoint
656 mСакура
253 mВ. И. Ленин
291 mКарл Маркс
339 mМать солдата
674 mЗнаменитые петербуржцы
659 mПамятник фонарщику
570 mКолокол Смольного собора
75 mЕ. Е. Моисеенко
641 mЮ. В. Толубееву
680 mС. Б. Сперанскому
687 mМастерской А. Н. Лодыгина
565 mПервому электрическому фонарю А. Н. Лодыгина
567 mCommemorative plaque, memorial
101 mГ. Н. Булдакову
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