Cathedrals In St Petersburg russia
the top 10 cathedrals to see in the city

Built in the early 17th century as the city's first settlement, the Cathedral of Saint Apostles Peter and Paul was erected inside the famous Peter and Paul Fortress on a small island. The Cathedral houses the remains of almost all of the Russian Emperors and Empresses from Peter the Great to Nicolas II, as well as a few nice museums and galleries - plus it offers spectacular river-side views.

With a height of 101.5 meters, a base over 10.000 square meters and a diameter of the dome of 25 meters, St Isaac’s Cathedral is one of the largest and most decorative cathedrals in the world. Adorned with gold trim, mosaics, and paintings, this imposing building will amaze anyone both from the inside and outside. If you go, don't miss the dome's top, from where you can get the best view of the city.

Located on the famous and busy Nevsky Prospekt, the Kazan Cathedral is one of the great masterpieces of Russian Classicism and among the largest places of worship in Russia. Built from 1801 to 1811 to house the miracle-working Icon, Our Lady of Kazan, this magnificent Orthodox Russian cathedral is both a quiet place of worship and a classical architectural landmark, which everyone must-visit.

The famous Smolny Cathedral, painted in white and blue with grey cupolas, is one of the most gorgeous and picturesque cathedrals in St Petersburg you may see. Built as a convent during Elizabeth's reign to educate young noblemen and women, this magnificent Baroque style building is open to the public and offers a weekly live concert along with an interesting exhibition on Smolny's history.

With its outstanding blue cupolas emblazoned with golden stars and a massive column of glory put up in front of the building, the Trinity Cathedral is one of the last examples of the Imperial Russian style in St Petersburg. Once damaged under the Soviet era, and then restored, today this amazing cathedral is a place of worship open to the public which can hold up to 3000 people simultaneously.

Impressive from the outside and amazing from the inside, the Naval Cathedral of St Nicholas is another great example of Baroque style architecture, and one of the few Cathedrals in St Petersburg that was not closed during the Soviet era. Inside the building, you can find several monuments and images dedicated to the Russian navy along with a unique assemblage of wonderful 18th-century icons.

The Transfiguration Cathedral is an Eastern Orthodox cathedral constructed in 1829 as a church of the Transfiguration regiment. With a beautiful square outside the cathedral, impressive Turkish cannons, and an original British-made clock still in operation, today this great architectural building is one of the most visited cathedrals in St Petersburg among locals and tourists, plus the place to go for churchgoers.

Standing on the eastern part of the Petrograd side, the Prince Vladimir Cathedral with its shining eye-catching white facade is the best example of an Orthodox Cathedral in Russia. Designed by Antonio Rinaldi, the cathedral has five cupolas and a three-story bell tower. Perfectly preserved since its founding in 1765, the icons on the second floor are worth seeing and the interiors are really breathtaking.

The Alexander Nevsky Monastery (Lavra) is one of the biggest complex religious buildings of Saint Petersburg. It is home to the Holy Trinity Cathedral and other oldest buildings in the city. Famous for its scenic paintings and interior decorations, the cathedral along with the orthodox monastery and its well-known cemetery is one of the most important places of worship in St. Petersburg, as well as a tourist attraction not to be missed.

Erected in 1764 on Vasilievsky Island, the construction of St. Andrew Cathedral took fifteen years. Named after the Apostle Andrew, this beautiful, late baroque, pink-and-white cathedral is a peaceful place of worship with decorative interiors and many iconostasis to admire. Damaged under the Soviet era, and now fully restored, today this small Orthodox cathedral is a hidden gem worth visiting.