In St. Petersburg, there are many viewing platforms and observation points, one of which is the second highest in the city (the first is in the Lakhta Center, which is not yet open) is the observation platform located in the belfry of the Resurrection Smolny Cathedral.
Smolny Cathedral itself is one of the attractions of St. Petersburg, made in the style of Elizabethan Baroque.
The cathedral was consecrated on July 20 (August 2, new style), 1835, 87 years after the foundation stone was laid in 1748 by the will of the Empress Elizabeth Petrovna.
Now the cathedral is an active Orthodox church.
Entrance to the cathedral is free (free of charge). Learn more about the cathedral...
In one of the four belfries of the Smolny Cathedral (south-west) there is a small open observation deck, which anyone can visit.
The observation deck is located at an altitude of 50 meters.
You can climb the stairs to the observation deck in the belfry of the cathedral, having overcome 278 steps (there is no elevator).
The ascent to the observation deck is paid (200 rubles). Tickets can be purchased at the entrance to the lift to the observation deck, located directly in the cathedral.
Ascent to the observation deck of the Smolny Cathedral
The ascent to the observation deck in the belfry can be divided into several conditional stages.
At first, the ascent takes place on a fairly wide staircase.
Then we enter a small corridor with a grating, through which you can see the domed ceiling of the cathedral.
After the ascent, the stairs are narrow and spiral.
We go out on the platform. Through the windows, you can see the panorama of the surrounding part of the city.
Then the ascent takes place on an iron staircase.
At the very end, we climb into the passage, and go out to the observation deck.
The descent is carried out on the same ladder.
Smolny Cathedral observation deck
The observation deck of the bell tower of the Smolny Cathedral is small, giving somewhere a 180-degree view.
The area is open, fenced with a grid. There are binoculars on the landing.
Views from the observation deck of the Smolny Cathedral
From the observation deck of the Smolny Cathedral, you can enjoy beautiful panoramic views of the part of the former monastery adjacent to the cathedral, the Neva River and the adjacent part of the city.
View of Shpalernaya Street.
View of the cathedral complex and the surrounding area.
View of the Smolny parterre garden and the historic building of the Smolny Institute of Noble Maidens, which now houses the Government of St. Petersburg and the Smolny Historical and Memorial Museum. Learn more about the institute, the museum, and the parterre garden...
View of the Neva River and the Bolsheokhtinsky drawbridge.
View of the south-eastern belfry of the cathedral.
Practical information
Smolny Cathedral is located near the left Smolny embankment of the Neva River, at the address: Rastrelli Square, 1.
Coordinates of Smolny Cathedral: 59°56'55.0"N 30°23'44.0"E (59.948611, 30.395556).
Nearest metro station: "Chernyshevskaya", "Ploshchad Lenina" and "Novocherkasskaya".
The opening hours of the cathedral and the observation deck, as well as the cost of the climb, are recommended to check on the official website of the Smolny Cathedral: smolnyspb.
You can also visit the Smolny Cathedral and climb to the observation deck with excursions around St. Petersburg
All accommodation facilities in St. Petersburg, including in the city center, near the Smolny Cathedral and more remote from those, can be viewed and booked here
