At the end of Shpalernaya Street on the left bank of the Neva stands the Smolny Cathedral of the Resurrection of Christ, designed in the Baroque style. It is surrounded by monastery buildings, which once housed the first state higher education institution for girls in Russia, the Noble Maidens' Institute. Today, the cathedral operates, offering visitors a viewing platform and a collection of rarities and spiritual relics.

The history of the monastery began with the appearance of the Cathedral of the Resurrection of the Word, built on the site of the "Smolny House," a small palace where Empress Elizabeth Petrovna spent her childhood. By her decree, a project for a new monastery complex was developed, intended to be a place for prayerful silence. The name of the cathedral is associated with its location on the territory of a former tar production facility that served the Admiralty shipyards.

The empress ordered the construction of a complex that included the cathedral, auxiliary buildings, a bell tower, domestic churches, and an institute for noble girls. Architect Bartolomeo Francesco Rastrelli, known for his work on palaces and the Hermitage, was appointed as the project leader. The laying of the cathedral took place on October 30, 1748, accompanied by a prayer service and a procession. A symbolic stone was laid at the foundation, and 101 cannon shots were fired.

Rastrelli created a preliminary architectural model to avoid mistakes. Changes were made to the project: four small domes were added, and the height of the bell tower was increased. The cathedral is designed in the Baroque style, but with unique facades that allow it to be viewed from all sides. The bell tower, which inspired architect Savva Chevakinsky, was replicated in the Nikolsky Naval Cathedral.

Construction was financed from the treasury, and thousands of soldiers and craftsmen worked on the site daily. Materials were delivered from various regions, and the bells were cast in Moscow. However, the Seven Years' War and the death of Elizabeth led to the cessation of construction.

After the empress's death, the project was handed over to Yuri Matveyevich Felten, who abandoned the construction of the bell tower and interior finishing. Major works were completed in 1768, but the building remained unfinished.

In the 1820s, construction resumed by order of Nicholas I. Architect Vasily Petrovich Stasov revised the project, starting with the repair and restoration of structures. New bells were cast, the walls were painted yellow, and the domes blue. Inside, heating was installed, the walls were painted white, and the columns were finished with artificial marble. Construction was completed in 1835, and the cathedral was consecrated.

Despite the changes, the building retained its monumentality and integrity. The interior impresses with its white marble slab finishing and crystal balustrades. The total height of the cathedral is just over 93 meters. The bell tower, if built, would have reached 140 meters. The project model of the bell tower can be seen at the Academy of Arts.

The Smolny Institute for Noble Maidens opened at the monastery in 1764. It was the first higher education institution for women in Russia, where girls of noble descent were educated. The institute existed until the 1917 revolution.

After 1917, the cathedral was closed, property was confiscated, and the building was used as a warehouse. During the war, the cathedral's cellars served as a bunker for the leadership of besieged Leningrad. In 1967, restoration of the cathedral began, and it became a museum of the history of Leningrad. In 1972, the iconostasis was dismantled.

Since the 1990s, the cathedral has been used as a concert hall. In 2001, lightning damaged the main dome, which the city's residents perceived as a bad omen.

The revival of the cathedral began in 2004 with the installation of a cross on the dome. The cathedral became part of the museum complex "St. Isaac's Cathedral" and a venue for concerts. In 2009, the first prayer service was held, and in 2010, regular worship began. In 2015, the cathedral was handed over to the Russian Orthodox Church.

Today, Smolny Cathedral is an active church where tours are conducted. The cathedral's viewing platform offers views of the main attractions of St. Petersburg. The complex houses the city administration, and the bunker under the cathedral has been converted into a museum.

The cathedral holds many relics, including the key to the western gates and unique icons. There is also a 10-ton bell, cast in 2013. The cathedral is surrounded by an ornate fence, and the courtyard has been restored to its historical park ensemble.

Smolny Cathedral is not only an architectural monument but also a place associated with mystical stories. The construction of the bell tower envisioned by Rastrelli is planned, which will make the complex one of the most beautiful places in the city.