Saint Isaac's Cathedral

Why go

Saint Isaac's Cathedral rewards attention to scale, orientation, and setting. Saint Isaac's Cathedral or Isaakievskiy Sobor (Исаа́киевский Собо́р) in Saint Petersburg, Russia is the largest cathedral (sobor) in the city and was the largest church in Russia when it was built (101.5 meters high). Before leaving, compare one close detail of Saint Isaac's Cathedral with its broadest public view.

What to look for

• Saint Isaac's Cathedral: Use the principal axis to orient yourself at the site.
• Saint Isaac's Cathedral: Move closer for details hidden within the overall symmetry.
• Saint Isaac's Cathedral: Retreat far enough to see the complete outline.

The full story

Saint Isaac's Cathedral or Isaakievskiy Sobor (Исаа́киевский Собо́р) in Saint Petersburg, Russia is the largest cathedral (sobor) in the city and was the largest church in Russia when it was built (101.5 meters high). It is dedicated to Saint Isaac of Dalmatia, a patron saint of Peter the Great who had been born on the feast day of that saint. History The cathedral took 40 years to construct, under Montferrand's direction, from 1818 to 1858. Under the Soviet government, the building was abandoned, then turned into a museum of atheism. The dove sculpture was removed, and replaced by a Foucault pendulum. During World War II, the dome was painted over in gray to avoid attracting attention from enemy aircraft. With the fall of communism, the museum was removed and regular worship activity has resumed in the cathedral, but only in the left-hand side chapel.

Useful to know

• Check the current admission calendar for Saint Isaac's Cathedral before building an interior visit around it.

Your next visit

Estimated · Declared scenario and planning estimates; no live opening, weather, queue or booking service.