St. Petersburg’s Church on Spilled Blood is one of the most stunning places of worship I’ve ever seen. It also has one of the most dramatic histories; there aren’t many buildings that have survived near-destruction as many times as this one.
Even its beginnings were violent. The Church on Spilled Blood, also known as Church of the Saviour on Spilled Blood, was built on the site where Tsar Alexander II was assassinated in 1881. And like so many great buildings in Russia, it was badly damaged in the twentieth century. In the first world war, it was looted. In the second world war it was used as a temporary morgue during the German Siege of Leningrad. It was also used as a warehouse for vegetables, which explains its nickname “Saviour on Potatoes”.
The exterior was built to resemble Moscow’s St. Basil’s Cathedral, and it is striking. But it’s the interior that really dazzles, as it is covered with over 75,000 square feet of mosaics. Numerous biblical stories are played out on pillars, arches, walls and ceilings.
Restoration work began in 1970 and finished 27 years later, although the church was never reconsecrated. It is designated as a Museum of Mosaics. But given its tumultuous history and breathtaking visuals, it could only be known by a moniker as dramatic as Spilled Blood.
Beth, How amazing this building could be reconstructed. It is beautiful both the interior and exterior. I can only imagine how beautiful it is in person.
I have spent two years researching Russia for a play – the church had nothing to do with it but I came across it and was thrilled by it. And here you are with such evocative photos and and some history. The fact of it – I am wistful – but happy.
What a name. What a stunning building – I can imagine what it must be like to stand there.
Gorgeous. It must have felt amazing to stand in such a historical building, and just wonder at the people who passed through…
Beautiful Beth love yours poctures!:)
Gorgeous colors, really beautiful! It always amazes me that vibrant colors like that can stand such a test of time (and apparently a bloody one, too.
Such classic images.
So majestic!Love it.
Rita
Fantastic! What a beautiful building.
I love the regal building my friend 😀
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
Beth, Your photos are gorgeous…this church looks so majestic! Wishing you and yours a Merry Christmas!
Beth, you've been everywhere!!! I'm dying to see this, thanks for sharing some information on this beautiful building and your lovely pics;-)
I've been to St. Petersburg, but that was back when it was Leningrad. It's a beautiful city.
Your photos are wonderful, Beth. Showing the details perfectly. What an amazing history!
Hi Beth! Beautiful photos! I wish I can visit there one day!
The church looks spectacular!
Thanks for sharing, Beth.
I love beautiful churches! Thanks for sharing another wonderful post.
I've been there! Really gorgeous building, and the history is so interesting. There's so much to see around St. Petersburg – really worth a trip if anyone has the opportunity.
My parents have been to Russia a number of times…I'll have to ask them if they've seen this church. I hope to someday…wow.
What a beautiful place!
What a beautiful cathedral!
Beth, what absolutely fabulous pictures of this amazing Cathedral and what a wonderful place to visit!
So beautiful! A TON of man hours must have gone into its creation 🙂
I love wandering into cathedrals when I'm traveling. They never cease to be breath-taking and intimate peeks into the history and culture of a community.
It is stunning! It must have been amazing to be there in person.
how beautiful. i would absolutely lose my breath in a place like that!
Wow, that is absolutely gorgeous. And what an interesting, and tragic, history it has! Thanks for sharing, Beth!
Love the history behind this church! It's really amazing how places of worship are so resilient, given their turbulent histories.