Baroque Architecture: Naval Cathedral of St. Nicholas - St. Petersburg, Russia

Interesting Places I've Visited

Naval Cathedral of St. Nicholas

St. Petersburg, Russia

Topic: Baroque Architecture

N 59° 55.338 E 030° 17.964

Quick Description: 

The Naval Cathedral of St. Nicholas is a Baroque Russian Orthodox cathedral located on Nikol'skaya Ploshchad near the intersetion of the Kryukov and Griboedov Canals in the Admiralty area of St. Petersburg.

Long Description:

Naval Cathedral of St. Nicholas is known locally as the Sailors' Cathedral. The area was originally settled by sailors and the church was used by them during the reign of Peter the Great.

Construction of this cathedral was commissioned in 1753, by Empress Elizabeth, who was very fond of Baroque architecture. Admiralty architect Savva Chevinskiy was chosen to designed and build the cathedral. The ground where the is built was raised by six feet to protect the building from floods. The cathedral was consecrated in 1760 and officially became a naval cathedral in July 1762 by order of Catherine II.

The cathedral is painted blue and white and famous for for its golden Baroque spires and domes which rise above the surrounding canals. Separated from the main structure is a beautiful bell tower which overlooks Kryukov Canal.

Many, especially our local guides, consider this to be the most beautiful church in St. Petersburg.

Style: Baroque Type of building (structure): Large religious building Date of origin:: 1753 Architect(s): Savva Chevinskiy Address: Nikol'skaya Ploshchad near Kryukov and Griboedov Canals St. Petersburg, Russia