“Why is it called ‘on Spilled Blood’?” Many visitors ask that question when they first see this magnificent structure. The Church of the Savior on Spilled Blood stands before you. It is more than just a beautiful building. It is a memorial to a tragic event.
The Church of the Savior on Spilled Blood marks the spot where Emperor Alexander II was assassinated in March 1881. This church serves as a poignant reminder of his death. It stands on the embankment of the Griboedov Canal.
Construction began in 1883 under Alexander III. It finished in 1907 during the reign of Nicholas II. The Romanov imperial family funded it. Many private donors also contributed. The cost was an estimated 4.5 million rubles.
Alexander II was known as the reformer Tsar. He enacted important reforms. One of the most significant was the abolition of serfdom. Tragically, terrorists fatally wounded him. A bomb was thrown at his feet.
To build a permanent shrine, the canal was narrowed. This allowed the section of road where the Tsar was driving to be included within the church walls. Inside, you can see an elaborate shrine. It marks the exact spot of the assassination. Cobblestones from the old road are exposed in the floor.
The Church of the Savior on Spilled Blood differs architecturally from other buildings in Saint Petersburg. It was designed in the spirit of romantic nationalism. It resembles 17th-century Yaroslavl churches. It also bears resemblance to St. Basil’s Cathedral in Moscow. Alfred Alexandrovich Parland was the chief architect.
Inside, the church boasts over 7500 square meters of mosaics. This may be more than any other church in the world. The mosaics depict biblical scenes. Fine patterned borders set off each picture.
After the Russian Revolution, the church was ransacked and looted. The Soviet government closed it in 1932. During World War II, it served as a temporary morgue. Later, it was used as a warehouse for vegetables. People jokingly called it “Savior on Potatoes.”
In 1970, the church became a museum. Saint Isaac’s Cathedral managed it. Proceeds from the Cathedral funded the restoration. It reopened in August 1997.
Today, the Church of the Savior on Spilled Blood is a major tourist attraction. It stands as a museum of mosaics. It is a testament to a pivotal moment in Russian history.
In 2005, the Holy Gates were recreated. They had been lost in the 1920s. They were designed with enamels.
Take a moment to reflect. Consider the history and artistry surrounding you in the Church of the Savior on Spilled Blood. It is a place where tragedy meets beauty.