St. Isaak's Cathedral

The golden dome of St. Isaac's can be seen from any part of the city, and in clear weather even from the suburbs. This impressive monument designed by the Parisian Montferrand has one of the largest domed structures in the world.

The site on which it stands has seen three previous incarnations, the first being in 1710 under the reign of Peter the Great. The current structure took forty years to build, being completed in 1858 and in the same year was consecrated as St Petersburg's principal church.  

Location: Isaakiyevskaya Ploshad.

The Church of Christ's Resurrection
(usually called Our Savior of the Blood)

This church is built on the spot where Emperor Alexander II was assassinated in March 1881 and inside hosts a shrine to the Emperor. Its design was inspired by St Basil's Cathedral which dominates Moscow's Red Square. Following the October Revolution the church remained closed for over 50 years but following extensive restoration courtesy of the nearby St Isaak's cathedral, the interior once again reflects the beauty of its original design and the gilded onion domes once again shine in the sunlight.

Admission is relatively expensive, as more restoration work is needed, which requires funding. 

Location: Kanal Griboedowa emb., 2b.

Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul

The foundations for a citadel and the original wooden church were laid in 1703 but over the centuries the construction expanded to create a Cathedral and fortress with the Mint, garrisons, prison cells and the Senate being added later, creating the vast construction that we see today. The vault is the resting place for Russian Emperors and the fortress houses museums. 

Location: Petropavlovskaya krepost, 3.