Cathedral of Our Lady of Kazan (Kazansky Sobor)
Completed in 1811 after ten years of construction, the Cathedral of Our Lady of Kazan (Kazansky Sobor stands 203 feet (62 meters tall—a stunning example of Russian neoclassical architecture. The structure encircles a small square, and the interior is adorned with the works of some of the country's greatest artists and sculptors.
The basics
This neoclassical cathedral, inspired in part by St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome, ranks among St. Petersburg’s most important religious sites, where pilgrims come to kiss the icon of Our Lady of Kazan. Many city sightseeing tours stop at the cathedral and often combine it with other prominent points of interest, such as the Armenian Church, Nevsky Prospekt, Fine Arts Square, Palace Square, and Peter and Paul Fortress. The cathedral is also a stop on the hop-on hop-off sightseeing bus Red Route.
Things to know before you go
- The Cathedral of Our Lady of Kazan is a must-see for architecture buffs and spiritual travelers.
- Admission to the cathedral is free.
- Remember that this is an active place of worship, so dress respectfully and keep your voice down, especially during mass.
How to get there
The cathedral is centrally located on Nevsky Prospekt, St. Petersburg’s main avenue. To get there by public transportation, take the metro to Nevsky Prospekt Station.
Trip ideas
When to get there
The cathedral is open for non-religious visits from Monday through Saturday and for worshipers on Sunday. Masses are held twice a day: once in the morning and once in the evening.
Museum of the History of Religion
For many years, the Cathedral of Our Lady of Kazan housed the Museum of the History of Religion. The collection has since moved, but it’s worth visiting to learn more about the history of Christianity in Russia, including the religious repression of the Soviet Union.
- Stroganov Palace (Stroganovsky Dvorets)
- State Russian Museum (Russkiy Muzey)
- Museum of Soviet Arcade Machines
- The General Staff Building
- Russian Museum of Ethnography
- Church of the Savior on Spilled Blood
- Yusupov Palace (Yusupovsky Dvorets)
- Pushkin Museum
- Alexandrinsky Theatre
- Monument to Catherine II (Pamyatnik Ekaterina II)
- St. Petersburg Palace Square (Dvortsovaya Ploshchad)
- Nevsky Prospekt
- State Hermitage Museum
- Mikhailovsky Castle (St. Michael's Castle)
- Anichkov Palace