St. Isaak's Cathedral

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The architectural marvel of St Isaac's Cathedral has dominated St. Petersburg’s skyline for 150 years. With its elaborate mosaics, it is known by many to be the most impressive cathedral in Russia. In addition to being a church, it is also a museum, and if you dare to climb the cathedral's colonnade, you will be blown away by its panoramic view of the city.

This cathedral can ironically enough trace parts of its past to mysticism. The famous French architect Auguste Montferrand who spent forty years finishing the Cathedral was told he would die as soon as it was completed. Monferrand passed away a month after he finished the creation to which he had dedicated his life. Another legend has it that clairvoyants predicted the removal of the construction trestle would signify the fall of the Romanovs. The trestle was removed in 1916, not long before the murder of the Emperor and his family.

Estimation of the Cathedral’s building costs is unfathomable. To decorate the interior, 882 pounds of gold were used, 16 tons of malachite, and a thousand tons of bronze. The mosaics spread out over 7108 square yards. The impressive effect of the exterior is created by its massive columns and huge dome (it later influenced the design of the Capitol in Washington, DC). The true gem of the Cathedral is the stained glass window of the Resurrected Christ inside the main altar. Another highlight is the Wonderworking Tikhvin Icon of the Thoetokos, honored by all Orthodox Christians. The church is designed for 14000 standing guests and leaves an unforgettable impression, especially when you look up into the great dome as the entire building fills with the melody of a thousand angelic choir angels.