travels
the Smolny Monastery
The Smolny ensemble (Saint Petersburg, Russia) includes a number of structures put up at different times. This territory on the Neva bank, opposite the Nienschanz Fortress put up by the Swedes in the 17th century, was allotted for the tar-yard (Smolyanoi dvor); tar was stored and smelted there for the needs of the Admiralty. The name of Smolny (tar) was henceforth used for the territory, though the tar-works ceased to exist in the first half of the 18th century. The Smolny Cathedral was meant to become the main church of a convent, but it had to be very special. Elisabeth, daughter of Peter the Great was not allowed to rule the country, so she decided to become a nun. It was decided to build a convent for her. But as soon as her predecessor was overthrown during a coup, carried out by the royal guards, she decided to forget the whole idea of a stern monastic life and happily accepted the offer of the Russian throne. The blue-and-white building of the Smolny Cathedral is one of the most fabulous works of Rastrelli (the creator of the Winter Palace, the Grand Catherine (Yekaterininsky) Palace in Pushkin, the Grand Palace in Peterhof, and other major landmarks). The cathedral is the centerpiece of the convent, built by Rastrelli in 1748-64. When Elisabeth's reign came to a close, the funding for the convent had quickly ran out. Thus Rastrelli was unable to build a huge bell-tower that was planned and to finish the interior of the Cathedral. The building was finished only in 1832-35. Nowadays, the Smolny Cathedral is used mostly as a concert hall. The chambers of the convent are used by some local government institutions and offices. 1985-08-25.