Church of the Savior on Spilled Blood
Northwestern Federal District Region
The Church of the Savior on Spilled Blood in Saint Petersburg, Russia, is a remarkable Russian Orthodox church and museum constructed between 1883 and 1907. It stands on the exact site where Emperor Alexander II was fatally wounded in 1881, commemorating his legacy and reforms, including the emancipation of the serfs. Architecturally, the church is unique in Saint Petersburg for its medieval Russian style, inspired by 17th-century Yaroslavl churches and Moscow's St. Basil's Cathedral, contrasting with the city's predominant Baroque and Neoclassical buildings. Its interiors boast over 7,000 square meters of intricate mosaics crafted by renowned Russian artists such as Viktor Vasnetsov and Mikhail Vrubel, making it one of the world's largest mosaic collections. After suffering damage and repurposing during the Soviet era, including use as a morgue and vegetable warehouse, the church underwent extensive restoration and reopened as a museum in 1997. Today, it serves as a major cultural and historical landmark, attracting visitors with its rich symbolism, colorful façade, and solemn memorial significance.
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Tipp: Visit during spring or summer for pleasant weather and easier access. Purchase tickets in advance to avoid long lines, especially in peak tourist seasons. The church offers discounts for students and seniors. Note that the church functions primarily as a museum, so check opening hours and guided tour availability before planning your visit.
Interessante Fakten
- •The church contains over 7,000 square meters of mosaics, making it the second largest mosaic collection in the world after the Cathedral Basilica of St. Louis.
- •The church was built on a narrowed section of the Griboedov Canal to include the exact spot of Alexander II's assassination within its walls.
- •During the Siege of Leningrad in World War II, the church was used as a temporary morgue for victims of starvation and combat.
- •The church's architecture intentionally contrasts with Saint Petersburg's Baroque and Neoclassical styles, embracing medieval Russian design inspired by Yaroslavl and Moscow's St. Basil's Cathedral.
Geschichte
The church was commissioned by Emperor Alexander III in 1883 as a memorial to his father, Alexander II, who was assassinated at the site in 1881.
Construction spanned over two decades, completing in 1907 during Nicholas II's reign.
The project was funded by the Romanov family and private donors, costing more than initially estimated.
After the 1917 Russian Revolution, the church was looted and closed in 1932.
During World War II, it served as a morgue amid the Siege of Leningrad and was later used as a vegetable warehouse, earning the nickname "Saviour on Potatoes." Restoration began in the 1970s, culminating in its reopening as a museum in 1997, preserving its artistic and historical heritage.
OrtsfĂĽhrer
Main Sanctuary and Altar1883-1907
The central area of the church features a richly decorated altar and the main sanctuary where religious services were held. It is surrounded by stunning mosaics depicting biblical scenes and figures.
Assassination Shrine1907
Located at the end of the church opposite the altar, this ciborium-shaped shrine marks the exact spot where Emperor Alexander II was mortally wounded. It is adorned with semi-precious stones like topaz and lazurite and contrasts with the original cobblestones embedded in the floor.
Mosaic Interiors1883-1907
The church's walls and ceilings are covered with over 7,000 square meters of detailed mosaics created by prominent Russian artists such as Viktor Vasnetsov, Mikhail Nesterov, and Mikhail Vrubel, illustrating biblical narratives with intricate patterned borders.
Kontakt
Telefon: 8 (812) 315-16-36