Church of the Savior on Spilled Blood

Where it is & how to get there

• Metro: Nevsky Prospekt station, then a 7-minute walk along Griboyedov Canal.
• Tickets: Sold at the entrance or online through the St Isaac's Cathedral museum.
• Boats: Canal boat tours pass right by the church.

The story of Spilled Blood

Emperor Alexander II was fatally wounded on this spot in 1881, when a bomb was thrown at his carriage. His son built the church between 1883 and 1907 as a memorial, keeping the exact place of the attack inside under a canopy.

Its style deliberately recalls old Moscow churches like St Basil's, with bright onion domes. Inside, more than 7,500 square metres of mosaics cover the walls and ceilings, making it one of the largest mosaic collections in Europe.

Best time to visit

Tips before you go

• Photograph it from the canal bridge.
• Look for the shrine marking the spot where the emperor was attacked.
• The best view is from the Italian Bridge over the canal.
• Pair it with the Mikhailovsky Garden right behind the church.

What's around Spilled Blood

• Mikhailovsky GardenPark behind the church.
• Russian MuseumLarge collection of Russian art next door.
• Nevsky Prospekt5-minute walk.
• Field of MarsOpen square near the Neva.

Questions travellers ask