Orthodox cathedral tour

St. Petersburg's cathedrals were once the pride of the Russian Orthodox Church and the Russian Empire, magnificent showcases of the country's wealth and spiritual devotion. This half-day guided tour introduces visitors to four of the grandest of St. Petersburg's cathedrals, built over 150 years and displaying a full range of the architectural styles of the imperial period, from the baroque to the Russian revival.

The tour begins at the St. Nicholas Naval Cathedral, which is one of St. Petersburg's oldest churches and combines splendid late baroque architecture with a rich history as the home church of the Russian Navy. The interiors of the cathedral are decorated with scenes from Russian naval triumphs and memorial plaques for those who died in battles and tragedies at sea.

The second stop on the tour is St. Isaac's Cathedral, the biggest church in St. Petersburg and unquestionably the most magnificent. Taking over 40 years to complete, this grand Empire-style building that recalls St. Peter's Basilica in Rome was finished in rich red and gray granite, and its extraordinary interiors were decorated with precious minerals from throughout the Russian Empire.

The tour then moves on to the Cathedral of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ (commonly referred to as the Church of Our Saviour on the Blood), located next to the Griboedov Canal on the spot where Emperor Alexander II was assassinated by revolutionary terrorists in 1881. Inspired by St. Basil's Cathedral in Moscow and a host of other medieval Orthodox churches, this utterly distinctive building is among St. Petersburg's most popular landmarks, and also boasts richly painted interiors.

A few hundred meters away on Nevsky Prospekt, Kazan Cathedral is the final destination for the tour. Less strikingly unusual than the other three churches on the itinerary, with its swooping colonnades and magnificent central portico it is nonetheless a masterpiece of neoclassicism. Built in the first years of the 19th century, it became the focal point of commemorations to mark victory over Napoleon in 1812, and the final resting place for the great Russian commander, Field Marshal Mikhail Kutuzov.

This tour spends roughly an hour at each of the four cathedrals, and the guide will provide background on the history and construction of each church, as well as a detailed examination of the architecture and interior decorations. While individual tours of each cathedral can of course offer greater insight and opportunity to appreciate these magnificent buildings, this half-day tour is an excellent option for visitors with an interest in St. Petersburg's religious architecture and limited time in the city.

Itinerary and route details