Smolny Cathedral in St. Petersburg is located on the left bank of the Neva River, near the Smolny court in the place where they cooked the resin for the manufacture of ships . The temple is part of the architectural ensemble of the Smolny Monastery. Built in the Baroque style. In the architecture of the ensemble, the elements of ancient Russian architecture and European architecture are organically combined.
Construction was started on the project of architect B. Rastrelli in 1748. Its location in the center of the monastery courtyard and a height of 93, 7 meters create a sense of aspiration of the structure skyward.
The building can accommodate up to 6000 people. According to the architect's plan, the tallest five-tier bell tower in Russia should have been built next to it. But these plans were not destined to come true. Rastrelli died in 1771, and did not see his creation in its final form. And his followers decided that the high bell tower would not fit in the city landscape. The whole monastic complex was built for 87 years, breaking all records of long-term construction. Interior decoration was completed only in 1835.
The monastery was first named as Resurrection Novodevichy, then for short - Smolny. Was consecrated as a cathedral of all educational institutions in the name of the Resurrection of Christ in the presence of Empress Elizabeth in 1748. Since 1765 in the buildings of the monastery was an educational institution for girls of noble and philistine origin.
In the external design of the complex we see a combination of blue walls and white stone sculpting, which gives the monastery a festivity and picturesqueness. The magnificent building of the temple is surrounded by four corner churches and residential buildings, the facades of which are decorated with two-tiered arcades. House churches have only one helmet-shaped dome, topped with a large headboard with a cross and built into the wall.
The openwork fence of the church was cast according to Stasov's drawing and is one of the most highly artistic in the Northern capital. Portico-pavilions - propylaea, make entry to the territory of the monastery.
The interior decoration was supervised by the architect V. Stasov. The interior was simple, but had a solemn appearance. The church hall of a huge size with three majestic iconostasis was marbled. In front of the altars is a balustrade made of cut glass. The chair was decorated with the finest carving. At present, the icons of A.Venetsianov "Resurrection of Christ" and "Introduction to the Church of the Blessed Virgin" have been preserved from the relics of the church.
The ensemble of the monastery is a historical and architectural monument of world significance. At present the complex is a branch of the State Museum-monument "St. Isaac's Cathedral". It hosts concerts, exhibitions of paintings, drawings and decorative arts, as well as scientific, historical and artistic museum exhibits
Useful information Opening hours:. To Sep 16. on the 30th of April. 11.00-19.00; from May 1 to September 15. 10.00-19.00; environment - out; belfry since 16 Sept. on the 30th of April. 11.00-18.00; from May 1 to September 15. 10.00-19.00
Entrance: 150 rubles, according to ISIC 90 rubles, up to 18 years and pensioners 20 rubles; on the Guest Card of St. Petersburg - for free; website
Address: St. Petersburg, pl. Rastrelli, 1; +7 (812) 710-31-59 excursions; 577-14-21 answering machine.
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| Smolny Cathedral in St. Petersburg in the spring of |
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| Dome, Smolny Cathedral of St. Petersburg |
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| Smolny Cathedral St. Petersburg |
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| Smolny Cathedral in St. Petersburg night |