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Churches of Nevsky Prospect
5.34 km.
Throughout its history, St. Petersburg has been a multi-confessional city and a vital center for the spiritual life of its diverse inhabitants. Each of its cathedrals and churches is unique and stunning in its architecture. Today, they function not only as important religious centers but also as magnificent monuments of history and world culture.
1. Kazan Cathedral
Kazanskaya sq., 2
Kazan Cathedral is one of the largest churches in St. Petersburg, built in the Empire style. It was constructed on Nevsky Prospekt between 1801 and 1811 by the architect A. N. Voronikhin on the orders of Emperor Paul I. Paul the I wished the cathedral to resemble St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican. The main relic of the cathedral is the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God (Our Lady of Kazan). The icon, which belonged to Tsarina Praskovya Fyodorovna, was brought to St. Petersburg by Emperor Peter the Great in 1708.
After the Patriotic War of 1812, the cathedral became a monument to Russian military glory. Field Marshal Mikhail Kutuzov, who led the victorious campaign against Napoleon, was buried here.
Since 2000, it has been the cathedral of the St. Petersburg Diocese of the Russian Orthodox Church.
2. Petrikirche Lutheran Church
Nevsky Prospekt, 22-24
Today, this is one of the oldest and largest Lutheran churches in Russia. The church building that has survived to this day was constructed between 1833 and 1838 to a design by A. P. Bryullov.
Many famous figures received their education at the Petrischule (the school attached to the church), including: the architect K. I. Rossi; the composer M. P. Mussorgsky; one of Russia's leading geologists, G. P. Helmersen; the geographer and explorer V. V. Junker; architects K. A. Thon, L. N. Benois, M. E. Messmacher, and A. Kh. Pel; the educator P. F. Lesgaft; a founder of pediatrics, K. A. Raukhfus; historians G. V. Forster and A. I. Mikhailovsky-Danilevsky; and many others.
Since 1993, worship services of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Russia have resumed in the building.
3. Basilica of St. Catherine of Alexandria
Nevsky Prospekt, 32-34
The Catholic parish of St. Catherine of Alexandria was founded in 1716. In 1782 the construction of the church was completed under the supervision of the architect A. Rinaldi.
In 1984, a fire broke out in the building, destroying the work of the restoration team and the interior decorations. In 2013, the church was granted the status of a minor basilica, making it the only basilica in Russia.
4. St. Catherine's Armenian Church
Nevsky Prospekt, 40–42
In 1770, Empress Catherine II granted permission for the construction of an Armenian church in St. Petersburg. The church soon became the cultural center of the Armenian community in the city, housing a printing house and a national school. Remarkably, the school still functions today, preserving its historical legacy.
