History of the Church of the Savior on Spilled Blood
The church stands on the site of the assassination of Emperor Alexander II. On March 1, 1881, terrorist Ignatius Grinevitsky threw a bomb, mortally wounding Alexander II, who died hours later in the Winter Palace. The following day, his son, Crown Prince Alexander, decided to build a memorial church at this historic site.
A contest for the design was announced, and architect Alfred Parland, of Scottish descent, won with a project in the Russian style similar to Moscow’s St. Basil's Cathedral. Construction began in 1883, costing over 4.6 million rubles, mainly funded by the state, with contributions from the royal family and citizens.
The church was consecrated in 1907 and is also known as the Church of the Savior on the Spilled Blood. It enjoyed full state support, hosting daily services and memorial ceremonies for Alexander II.
After the 1917 Revolution, the church was nationalized and served as the cathedral for the Petrograd Eparchy. It closed in 1930, briefly housed revolutionary exhibits, and was slated for demolition in 1934—plans halted by WWII. During the Siege of Leningrad, it was damaged and used as a morgue.
Restoration began in 1968, and the church reopened to visitors in 1997.
Design of the Church on the Spilled Blood
The church features nine domes, some gilded and others covered with enamel. Its façade is richly decorated with various types of marble and semi-precious stones from Russia and abroad.
Its interior features colorful Italian marble floors and mosaics covering 7,000 square meters, depicting biblical scenes. The mosaics were created by the Frolov brothers’ workshop, chosen through a competitive selection.
Visitor Information
Today, the Church on the Spilled Blood is part of the museum complex of St. Isaac’s Cathedral. Guided tours are available, and Orthodox services are held on Sundays and major religious holidays.
Opening Hours
- Museum: 10:30 AM – 6:00 PM (Wednesday day off)
- Ticket offices close 30 minutes earlier
- May 1–September 30: evening programs 6:00 PM – 10:30 PM
- Chapel Museum: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM (May–September), closed on the second Wednesday of each month in winter
