Smolny Convent

Welcome to one of the most beautiful architectural ensembles in Saint Petersburg, the Smolny Convent of the Resurrection. Located at a sharp bend in the Neva River, this stunning blue-and-white complex is the 'last and most…

Standing before the Resurrection Cathedral, you are witnessing the pinnacle of Late Baroque architecture. Rastrelli’s genius was in his 'original variation of a new type of temple,' blending ancient Russian traditions with…

One of the great 'what ifs' of Russian architecture is the Smolny bell tower. Rastrelli’s plan called for a five-tier structure that would have been 167 meters high, far taller than the Peter and Paul Cathedral. …

The interior of the Smolny Cathedral is a stark contrast to its ornate exterior. For decades, it was a place of 'sad' and 'tragic' fate. …

Just next to the convent stands the Smolny Institute, a building that represents a complete shift in Russian history. Originally designed by Giacomo Quarenghi in the early 19th century, this yellow-and-white neoclassical building…

The entrance to the Smolny complex is marked by the majestic Propylaea, two classical pavilions with colonnades that serve as a 'tribute to ancient architecture.' Built in the early 19th century, these structures frame the…

The history of this land goes back even further than the Russian Empire. Before Peter the Great founded Saint Petersburg in 1703, this area was the site of the Swedish fortress of Nienschanz. …

As our tour of the Smolny Convent and Institute comes to an end, we reflect on the 'astonishing' journey through Russian history that this site provides. From the Baroque dreams of Empress Elizabeth to the revolutionary decrees…