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Smolny Cathedral

The cathedral amazes you as you approach because of its strange and mystical ability to decrease in size as you draw nearer, while still remaining as majestic. Even those professional architects who did not feel any piety towards the baroque style gave Rastrelli credit for this work with its perfect proportions and exquisite decor.

The cathedral is decorated with the elements of air - angels, clouds, angels' wings, and water - rocailles and pearls. The powerful waves of volutes form the transition from the upper part of the cathedral to the lower part and serve as borders of sopraportas. First they wind along the straight lines of the cornices, and then separate into streams and form ringlets and rolls. The facades do not contain any fire elements (such as lion masks) and symbols of strength (such as armor, shields, and helmets), which are also symbols of the angelic army, although these would have been characteristic for Russian baroque. Even flower garlands so much adored by Rastrelli are present only in the interior decor. The interior decor shows elements of the air (clouds, figures of angels, wings), and of the ground (fruits and flowers). Rocailles flow naturally into angel wings or palm tree branches.

Opening time:
Winter season: 11:00 - 18:00 except Wednesday.
Summer season: 10:00 - 18.00 except Wednesday.