Church of the Savior on Spilled Blood guided tour

One of St. Petersburg's most unusual and immediately distinctive landmarks, the Church on the Spilled Blood is a firm favorite with visitors to the city, although comparatively few actually bother to venture inside. This guided tour will give you a better understanding of the rich architectural traditions the building draws on, and of the extraordinary mosaics (possibly the most extensive in the world) that decorate its interiors.

Constructed between 1883 and 1907 on the site where Tsar Alexander II was assassinated in a bomb attack by anarchist terrorists, the Church on Spilled Blood is the only prominent example of Russian Revival architecture in central St. Petersburg, contrasting sharply with the predominantly pastel-colored neoclassical and rococo facades that surround it. Its exteriors are almost an encyclopedia of medieval church architecture, with numerous features that are unique to the Russian tradition. Inside, the 7 500 square meters of mosaics cover almost every inch of the walls. Some of the greatest artists of the day – including Viktor Vasnetsov, Mikhail Nesterov and Mikhail Vrubel – contributed designs, and your guide will be able to direct you to the highlights of this extraordinary display. For this reason, as well, it is worth considering scheduling a tour of the Church on the Spilled Blood after a tour of the State Russian Museum, which is located a few steps away.

Itinerary and route details