Smolny Convent

Smolny Convent is an 18th-century convent and cathedral complex in St. Petersburg designed in the Baroque style by Francesco Bartolomeo Rastrelli for Empress Elizabeth. The complex is visually distinctive for its pale blue-and-white exterior and its cathedral dome group.

The site includes the cathedral and the neighbouring institute building, which later became associated with education and civic administration. The cathedral building was begun in the mid-18th century and completed only in the 19th century after long pauses in construction.

Originally intended as a convent and a place of religious observance for the imperial family, the buildings’ functions changed over time and the ensemble has been used for cultural events and civic purposes in later centuries. Restoration and conservation have preserved the exterior and interior decorative elements.

Smolny sits near the city centre of St. Petersburg on the eastern side of the Neva basin and is accessible from central districts by public transport and on foot from nearby avenues.

• Architectural note: Designed by Francesco Bartolomeo Rastrelli in the mid-18th century for Empress Elizabeth, the complex is one of St Petersburg's major Baroque landmarks.

What to See #

• Smolny Cathedral: The cathedral building designed in Baroque style with a blue-and-white exterior and five domes that forms the visual centrepiece of the complex.
• Smolny Institute: An adjacent institute building historically used for education and administration, noted for its role in early 20th-century political events in the city.