Smolny Convent

Smolny Convent

Introduction The noble and elegant blue-and-white building stands on the left bank of the Neva River. "Smolny" means asphalt, and during the reign of Peter the Great, this area was once a warehouse specifically for storing asphalt — the Smolny Workshop. Since then, this district has been called Smolny.

The convent church was built in 1748, located within a cruciform layout surrounded by nuns' quarters, a dining hall, a library, the abbess's bedroom, and four small chapels at the corners. It is said to have been completed only in 1828 and opened for use in 1835. The entire complex of the convent is exquisitely beautiful and is regarded as the most perfect example of Russian Baroque architecture. Aside from the main cathedral, the buildings on the sides and at the back (now the Smolny Institute) exude a serene and graceful atmosphere within a religious setting.

It is said that Empress Elizabeth Petrovna wanted to retreat from worldly affairs and become a nun, so she established the first women's convent in Saint Petersburg. Its location is near the Smolny Palace. When Empress Catherine was still a grand duchess — during the reign of Empress Elizabeth — she stayed at this convent for quite some time to avoid the court, her husband, and the troubles posed by her future husband, the future Peter III. Ticket/Opening Hours The cathedral ticket is 300 rubles. If you only wish to see the concert hall and bell tower, each costs 100 rubles.

Saint Petersburg, Russia