More religion! The breathtakingly spectacular Church of Our Saviour on Spilled Blood is built on the spot where Emperor Alexander II was assassinated in St Petersburg in 1881. Alexander assumed power in 1855 after Russia’s defeat in the Crimean war against Britain, France and Turkey. Alexander initiated many reforms, including freeing the Russian serfs in 1861 and a rigorous program of military, judicial and urban reforms never before attempted in Russia. There were several attempts on his life, including an explosion in the Winter Palace. Alexander II was eventually assassinated by revolutionaries who threw a bomb at his carriage.

The church built between 1883 and 1907 was officially called the Resurrection of Christ Church but is universally known as The Church of Our Savior on Spilled Blood. Funded by the imperial family, the interior and exterior of the church is decorated with wonderfully colourful and detailed mosaics. The church was closed in the 1930s, when the Bolsheviks destroyed churches throughout the country. It survived and remained closed and under restoration for about 30 years, finally re-opening in the late 1990s in all its incredible former glory.

Love #2 and 7, Great post..... joycephotography · 2008-05-06: 12:40

wow- such neat shots!~ R urmysunshine · 2008-05-06: 14:14

thanks for sharing... by the way, great shot! Askrubies · 2008-05-06: 20:32

WOW! That's an extremely ornate church, even by ornate church standards! Nice photos, and thanks for the history lesson! ScubaLiz · 2008-05-06: 22:09

Great post. You captured the site very well. Bravo ! FCMFotoguy · 2008-05-07: 00:26

gosh, isn't it an amazing building!! Are you permitted to go inside to sight see? kazshots · 2008-05-07: 02:25

Another wonderful post, Barry. I love learning about other parts of our world, and it's infinitely so interesting how connected a lot of major events in the world's history are to buildings and religion. 1880s-1900s seemed to be the time to be assassinated - I'm currently reading a brief history of the 20th century and it begins by explaining the close of the 19th... I had no idea so many influential people lost their lives in that brief period, Alexander II being one of the most prominent. It can't have been easy trying to capture the gold hues with those highly vibrant colours - superb job. Peche · 2008-05-07: 03:53

I feel as if I'm tagging along on your wonderful jaunts and you're my tour director. Great explanations that enhance the photos. My great grandparents came from Russia—so these are particularly interesting. I love the ornateness and colour. photopoet · 2008-05-07: 07:32

fantastic.very very nice .i like city petersburg. ????? · 2008-05-08: 17:09

very nice!thanks for sharing! nasser · 2008-05-09: 03:19

oh, breathtaking. and the name gives it even more power. JuliaGotz · 2008-05-09: 15:27

Another wonderful series. This church is so beautiful with all the colors, the architecture. Thanks for sharing. NatinKool · 2008-05-10: 22:57

amazing colorful photos!!! gagmaba · 2008-05-12: 19:45

Very good set! ????? · 2008-05-14: 14:43

These are stunning photos!!! I love them and always wanted to see it up close, thanks for sharing jodycmoore · 2008-06-19: 21:45