Things to Do at St. Isaac's Cathedral

St. Isaac's Cathedral stands as one of Saint Petersburg's most magnificent architectural masterpieces and one of the largest cathedral domes in the world. Built between 1818 and 1858 under the direction of French architect Auguste de Montferrand, this neoclassical marvel required 40 years to complete and employed over 400,000 workers. The cathedral's massive golden dome, visible from across the city, rises 101.5 meters high and is covered with 100 kilograms of pure gold. Today functioning primarily as a museum, St. Isaac's Cathedral showcases breathtaking interior decorations including intricate mosaics, paintings, and sculptures created by renowned Russian and European artists. The cathedral can accommodate up to 14,000 worshippers and features 43 types of minerals and stones in its construction, including malachite, lapis lazuli, and various marbles. Its colonnade offers one of the most spectacular panoramic views of Saint Petersburg's historic center.

St. Isaac's Cathedral is located in the heart of Saint Petersburg at St. Isaac's Square. Take Metro Line 5 (purple) to Admiralteyskaya station, then walk 5 minutes. Alternatively, use Metro Lines 2 or 3 to Nevsky Prospekt station (10-minute walk). Buses 3, 22, 27 and trolleybuses 1, 7, 10, 11 stop nearby. The cathedral is within walking distance of major hotels in the city center and easily accessible from Palace Square (5-minute walk) and the Hermitage Museum.