Inside of the Church on Spilled Blood is incredible. There are over 80,000 square feet of mosaics depicting saints and other religious themes. The carved wooden iconostasis, separating the nave from the sanctuary, is adorned with icons of Theotokos (Virgin Mary) and Christ Pantocrator. In the semi-dome above the altar is another version of Christ as Ruler of the Universe and the Almighty. He is holding the New Testament and giving a blessing while teaching. The church was damaged in 1917 during the Russian Revolution and then closed and abandoned in 1932 during the Soviet era. It was again attacked during the siege of Leningrad in World War II. After 27 years of meticulous restoration, the Church of the Savior on Blood was reopened in 1997. This is one of the city’s most popular museums.
