The Smolny Historical and Architectural Complex in St. Petersburg is recognized as an architectural monument of world significance. A special place in the ensemble is occupied by the Smolny Cathedral of the Resurrection of Christ - a unique example of Russian Orthodox architecture, the pride of the city.
Take time to visit the cathedral, examine the majestic masterpiece, experience the aesthetic pleasure of spiritual beauty, and familiarize yourself with its difficult fate. What is so remarkable about the temple?
Milestones in the history of the monastery and the Smolny Cathedral
Its creation began in 1748. Tsarina Elizaveta Petrovna chose the area where resin was made for the shipyard at the beginning of the 18th century, and later she lived in the palace built here in her youth. The construction of the Resurrection Novodevichy Convent was entrusted to the court architect B.F. Rastrelli. The laying of the new object was carried out with a pompous ceremony:
- prayer service;
- beautifully designed platform;
- more than 100 salvoes from two dozen guns.
The celebration ended with a festive meal for 56 persons. In general, we started according to Russian custom, for health.
The work was carried out according to the model. The craftsmen built it on a large table in the order in which the original should be created. The architect's plan was to create a 5-tiered bell tower, the height of which (140 m) would exceed the spire of the Peter and Paul Fortress. This plan did not come true. The war, lack of finance, loss of interest in the Smolny Cathedral, organizational difficulties slowed down the construction.
Elizabeth envisaged the appointment of the monastery in the training of girls of rich origins. Later, Catherine II founded here the Society of Noble Maidens and a school for girls of the bourgeois class. The students of the Society subsequently began to study at the Smolny Institute, a magnificent building of the classical style, built by D. Quarenghi. Thus, every time he appeared in front of the cathedral, he respectfully raised his hat and said that this was a real temple!
Under Nicholas I in 1835, 87 years after the beginning, the construction of the cathedral was completed by V.P. Stasov.
Cathedral in the gloom of the 20th century
The October coup at the beginning of the century opened a tragic page in the history of the monastery. The territory was unceremoniously ruled by the revolutionaries. The fate of the Smolny Cathedral under Soviet rule became deplorable:
- 20s - an elegant building turned into a warehouse.
- 1931 - the cathedral was closed by the decision of the Bolsheviks, and church property was plundered.
- 1972 - the iconostasis was removed, the remaining things became the property of museums.
- 1990 - department of the city history museum.
- 1991 - the concert hall began to function, the Chamber Choir was restored.
In the spring of 2009, a prayer service was served in the long-suffering cathedral for the first time in many years, and in April 2010 regular services began. It was a solemn day with congratulations and gifts, the release of a commemorative medal and a festive envelope. In 2015, the temple was taken over by the Russian Orthodox Church, its organ was dismantled. The chamber choir is abolished and has no name. Finally, in the winter of 2016, the cathedral came into the free possession of the St. Petersburg diocese. The dramatic story was completed with the completion of the restoration of domes, facades, roofs and crosses in 2016.
Puffy temple outfit
The unsurpassed creation of the Master belongs to the luxurious Baroque style with gilding, paintings, fine carvings and an abundance of details. The ensemble is a single whole in a harmonious combination of white and blue colors, a symbol of purity and purity. Smolny Cathedral is directed upwards and seems to float in the clouds. The entrance is decorated with porticoes and a colonnade, the openwork drawing of the fence is made according to V.P. Stasov's sketches.
The main dome is surrounded by four churches. These are bell towers with a dome and an onion carrying a cross. The architect planned a temple with one dome, like in Europe. The Empress ordered the construction of a traditional Orthodox five-domed cathedral.
Now the complex is the cultural and social center of St. Petersburg. The territory is decorated with a parterre garden with flower beds, flower beds and fountains. The massive bell standing at the entrance to the cathedral is planned to be lifted up over time.
Artistic interior decoration
The interior decoration of the Smolny Cathedral was carried out under the direction of V. Stasov. He tried not to disrupt the original plans of the great architect, but the rational classical style had already become popular. Only modeling, iron casting, exquisite colonnade capitals and dome decoration were used. The laconic and solemn interior includes:
- an extensive hall that can accommodate 6 thousand people;
- iconostases, richly decorated with marble effect;
- crystal balustrade at the altars;
- a platform of skillful work.
In addition to this, two icons by the artist A.G. Venetsianov on the themes of the resurrection of Christ and the introduction into the temple became precious shrines. Choral music hearings are held in the concert hall.
Leave the hustle and bustle of everyday life, come on a tour!
The guide tells visitors a detailed, interesting and lively history of the cathedral, taking into account the age and level of the audience. The story is visually complemented by a video. From the observation deck 50 m high, a panorama of the city and the Neva opens, from here you can take excellent photos. The ascent to the belfry along 277 steps is accompanied by music from the forgotten Baroque period.
We advise you to look at the Cathedral of St. Basil the Blessed.
The temple is located on the embankment of the Neva. Address: pl. Rastrelli, 1, St. Petersburg, Russia, 191060.
It is convenient to get there as follows:
- from the metro station "Chernyshevskaya" by regular buses or trolleybus 15;
- from "Ploschad Vosstaniya" by bus 22 or trolleybuses 5, 7.
On foot from these stations you can walk in 30 minutes.
Opening hours of the cathedral in 2017: service from 7:00 to 20:00 daily, excursions from 10:00 to 19:00. The price of visiting is 100 rubles, for preschoolers it is free. There is no strict schedule of excursions for single tourists, groups are formed as they gather.
Two hours in the cathedral fly by imperceptibly, soulful visitors take the memory of an outstanding work of art to their hearts.
