Smolny Convent, Saint Petersburg

Name: Smolny Convent
Address: 1 площадь Растрелли, Saint Petersburg, Russia

#24 among attractions in Saint Petersburg

Baroque architecture, Monastery

Gallery (9)

Map

Gallery

Photo details 1. Wikipedia / CC BY-SA 4.0 / Florstein / URL • 2. Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0 / Florstein / URL • 3. Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 1.0 / George Shuklin / URL • 4. Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0 / Perfektangelll / URL • 5. Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0 / Alex 'Florstein' Fedorov / URL • 6. Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0 / Gzen92 / URL • 7. Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0 / Hamlet53 / URL

Facts and practical information

Nestled in the heart of Saint Petersburg, the Smolny Convent is a historic marvel that exudes an air of tranquility and architectural grandeur. This magnificent monastery, established in 1748, stands as a testament to the city's rich religious and cultural heritage. Designed by the renowned Italian architect Bartolomeo Rastrelli, the convent's main church, the Smolny Cathedral, is a masterpiece of the Baroque style that dominates the skyline with its resplendent blue and white façade and majestic bell towers.

Originally intended as a nunnery for noble ladies, the Smolny Convent has undergone various transformations throughout its storied past. The centerpiece of the complex, the Smolny Cathedral, was consecrated in 1835 and has since served various secular purposes, reflecting the turbulent history of Russia itself. Its striking appearance, complete with ornate decorations and sculptures, makes it a visual feast for visitors and a symbol of the city's artistic legacy.

The convent's lush grounds and peaceful surroundings offer a serene escape from the bustling city life, making it a popular destination for both tourists and locals seeking solace and inspiration. The interior of the cathedral is equally impressive, with its intricate frescoes and lavish iconostasis capturing the essence of Eastern Orthodox tradition.

Today, the Smolny Convent is not only a place of historical significance but also a cultural hub, hosting concerts and exhibitions that celebrate the artistic spirit of Saint Petersburg. The site remains an enduring attraction, inviting guests to explore its sacred halls, attend musical performances, and bask in the beauty of its architectural splendor.

Local name: Смольный монастырь Architectural style: BaroqueCoordinates: 59°56'56"N, 30°23'43"E

Address

1 площадь РастреллиЦентральный район (Смольнинское)Saint Petersburg Russia

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Day trips

Smolny Convent – popular in the area (distance from the attraction)

Nearby attractions include: Tauride Palace, Oktyabrskiy Big Concert Hall, Bolsheokhtinsky Bridge, Vosstaniya Square.

0.7 miW
Huge royal palace and CIS assembly space
Tauride Palace, Saint Petersburg
18 min walk • Tauride Palace is one of the largest and most historic palaces in Saint Petersburg, Russia.
1.4 miSW
Music venue
Oktyabrskiy Big Concert Hall, Saint Petersburg
36 min walk • The Oktyabrskiy Big Concert Hall is a theatre located in Saint Petersburg, Russia. It hosts variety actors, rock musicians, and also dance and ballet collectives. Located in the Greek Square, it opened October 1967, inaugurated 50 years after the October Revolution.
0.5 miSE
Bridge
Bolsheokhtinsky Bridge, Saint Petersburg
13 min walk • Bolsheokhtinsky Bridge is a bridge across the Neva River in Saint Petersburg, Russia. The bridge's length is 334 meters, the width is 23 meters. The bridge features three spans; the central one can be drawn.
1.7 miSW
Square
Vosstaniya Square, Saint Petersburg
44 min walk • Vosstaniya Square is a major square in the Central Business District of Saint Petersburg, Russia. The square lies at the crossing of Nevsky Prospekt, Ligovsky Prospekt, Vosstaniya Street and Goncharnaya Street, in front of the Moskovsky Rail Terminal, which is the northern terminus of the line connecting the city with Moscow.
1 miW
Memorial
Monument to Sergei Yesenin in St. Petersburg, Saint Petersburg
25 min walk • The Yesenin Monument is a sculpture in the Tauride Garden in the centre of Saint Petersburg. Made of white marble and set on a small pedestal, it represents the Russian poet Sergei Yesenin seated in a thoughtful pose.
1.4 miSE
Museum, Vernacular architecture
Utkina Dacha, Saint Petersburg
35 min walk • Utkina Dacha is an 18th-century architectural ensemble in St. Petersburg, near the junction of the Okkervil and the Okhta rivers. It is included in Russian cultural heritage register under number 7810250000. During recent years, it was abandoned.
0.8 miSW
Museum, Military museum
Suvorov Museum, Saint Petersburg
20 min walk • Suvorov Memorial Museum in Saint Petersburg, Russia is a military museum dedicated to the memory of Generalissimo Alexander Suvorov.
1.7 miSW
Memorial
Leningrad Hero City Obelisk, Saint Petersburg
44 min walk • Leningrad Hero City Obelisk is a monument in the shape of an obelisk located in Vosstaniya Square in Saint Petersburg, Russia, which was known as Leningrad from 1924 to 1991.
0.8 miN
Neoclassical architecture
Dacha Durnovo, Saint Petersburg
21 min walk • Dacha Durnovo is the countryside manor of Bakunin family and Durnovo family. It is an architectural monument of classicism, located on 22 Sverdlovsk Embankment, St. Petersburg, Russia.
~1610 ftW
Baroque architecture, Palace, Vernacular architecture
Kikin Hall, Saint Petersburg
8 min walk • The Kikin Hall is one of the oldest buildings in Saint Petersburg, Russia. The diminutive residence was commissioned by Alexander Kikin in 1714.
0.5 miSE
Forts and castles
Nyenschantz, Saint Petersburg
14 min walk • Nyenschantz was a Swedish fortress at the confluence of the Neva River and Okhta River, the site of present-day Saint Petersburg, Russia.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Which popular attractions are close to Smolny Convent?

Nearby attractions include Smolny, Saint Petersburg (2 min walk), Istoriko-memorialnyj muzej "Smolnyj", Saint Petersburg (6 min walk), Kikin Hall, Saint Petersburg (8 min walk), Bolsheokhtinsky Bridge, Saint Petersburg (13 min walk).

How to get to Smolny Convent by public transport?

The nearest stations to Smolny Convent:

Bus

Смольный собор • Lines: 136, 169А (6 min walk)
Лафонская улица • Lines: 136, 169А (6 min walk)

Trolleybus

Смольный • Lines: 11, 15, 5 (10 min walk)
улица Красного Текстильщика • Lines: 16, 33, 7 (11 min walk)

Tram

Шепетовская улица • Lines: 10, 23 (17 min walk)
Красногвардейская площадь • Lines: 10, 23 (18 min walk)