Your neck will get sore while savoring the rotunda of Saint Isaac’s Cathedral. Inside of this 84.6 foot dome is an incredible ensemble of religious artwork created by 200 artists. Above the dozen angels and marble columns is an 8,600 foot painting by Karl Briullov of the Virgin Mary encircled by the Apostles and saints. A white dove is suspended from the cupola, representing the Holy Spirit. For a much-deserved closer inspection, walk up the stairs to the rotunda platform. Then, look down at the elegantly appointed nave decorated with over 900 pounds of gold, marble, bronze plus semi-precious malachite and lapis lazuli. Saint Isaac’s Cathedral is one of four Saint Petersburg churches managed by the State Museum-Monument. Isaakievskiy Sobor became a Russian Orthodox church again in 2019.
