Church on Spilled Blood
The Church on Spilled Blood, a cacophony of colour just off Nevskiy prospekt, stands out in St Petersburg by nature of its Russian Revival style, something that is extremely rare in this city of Baroque and Neo-Classical architecture. Designed by Alfred Parland and Ignatiy Malyshev, the church, sometimes referred to as “Saviour on Blood”, was built as a memorial to Alexander II in 1881 on the site of his assassination. The sanctuary doors covered in semi-precious stones are particularly awe-inspiring.
Konyushennaya ploshchad • 315 9732 • Open May–mid-Sep: 10am–7pm; mid-Sep–Apr: 11am–7pm; closed Wed • Last admission 1 hour before closing • Adm: 320 roubles (for non-Russians) • http://eng.cathedral.ru/spasa_na_krovi
1. Mosaic Walls
The church has over 7,000 sq m (75,300 sq ft) of mosaics covering its interior and exterior. A wide range of materials, including jasper, porphyry and Italian marble, have been used to create these lavish artworks.
2. Mosaic Portraits of Saints
Colourful mosaic portraits of biblical saints, laid out in rows of kokoshniki gables (tiered decorative arches), adorn the exterior of the church.
3. Window Frames
The window frames are carved out of marble transported from Estonia and cast in the form of traditional decorative patterns.
4. Plaques commemorating Alexander II’s reign
The perimeter of the lower wall has 20 dark-red plaques made of Norwegian granite, which illustrate key events of the 25-year reign of Alexander II (1855–81), including the emancipation of the serfs in 1861.
5. Mosaic Tympanum
The exterior of the church is made up of panels depicting scenes from the New Testament. During the Siege, starving citizens gathered to pray under the Tympanum, finding solace in its depiction of Christ on His throne.
6. Steeple
The main steeple of the church is 81 m (265 ft) high. Steeples had been banned in Russia in the 17th century by Metropolitan Nikon, who felt that they were too similar to Western churches.
7. Bell Tower Coat of Arms
The 144 mosaics on the Bell Tower Coat of Arms represent the provinces, towns and regions of Russia at the time of the assassination of Alexander II.
8. Icons
The church’s interior walls and ceiling are covered in intricately detailed Old Russian mosaic icons depicting a vast array of biblical figures and scenes.
9. Shrine marking the exact spot where Alexander II was slain
Decorated with images of the tsar’s patron saint, the shrine was designed by Alfred Parland and completed in 1907. It was restored in the mid-1990s.
10. Exhibition on the restoration of the church
This is a fascinating exhibition depicting the state of the church prior to its restoration in the 1990s. Look out for the section of Alexander II’s shrine that has been left in its previous condition to demonstrate the scale of the restorative work carried out on the detailed mosaics.
A Church in Honour of the Tsar
The Church on Spilled Blood has never been used for weddings, funerals or any other church services. It was intended to be entirely dedicated to the memory of Alexander II, although some sermon readings did take place before the revolution.
Tip: Lovers of Soviet memorabilia should pay a visit to the Souvenir Market located opposite the church. Tip: After visiting the church, if the weather is good, head off to the Mikhaylovskiy Garden nearby for a picnic lunch.
