CHURCH of the SAVIOR on SPILLED BLOOD, St Petersburg, Russia

This has become my favourite church easily comparable to the Burgos Cathedral in Spain (or even the lovely tiny church in Fort Good Hope, NWT, Canada). It was built between 1883-1907 on the spot where Alexander II was assassinated. It took 24 years to build and 27 years to restore, reopening in 1997. The outside has multiple colourful domes and the crests of all Russian states in mosaics. It took 30 artists to restore the interior’s incredible 7000 sq. m of mosaics that cover every inch of wall, arch and ceiling. The marble floor is dazzling as is the marble surrounding the iconostasis.