Travel Tips

Often at night as you walk along the Gribeodova canal from Nevsky Prospect you will here strains of music from street musicians and groups of people busltling by on the way home from work.
The tourist souvenir stands are closed and most of the gypsies are gone.
It can be quite pleasant!
In summer it is light all night, you will not likely have enough clouds to justify lights on the church.

So to see it lit you must come in the cooler season when the days are shorter and the lights are on. :) This photo was in March. :)

This ornate church covered with mosaic icons outside and inside was built in 1907 on the spot of the assassination of Alexander II

The Gribeodova Canal was narrowed onteh exact spot so the church wall could encompass the location where Alexander fell.

From the Bank Bridge
Looking quite a few blocks up the Gribeodova Canal form the Bank Bridge, past the Kazan Cathedral to teh Church on the Spilled Blood

This retired school teacher hangs around tourist spots looking for chances to be of service for a fee. I have seen him both at the Church and in the Grand Hotel Europe.
There are many people who hang around, some harmless and kind like this gentleman. And others, likek swarms of gypsies that just want to get their hands into your pockets.

Over 7000 square meters of mosaic paintings are found in the church. Over 30 icon artists contributed to the art.

Here the canal narrows at the exact spot Alexander II fell.