Smolny Convent in St. Petersburg
CONGRATS TO FINALIST AND WINNERS. This Orthodox Convent was built to house Elizabeth, daughter of Peter the Great when she was to become a nun after being disallowed the throne however after Ivan IV was overthrown she decided against monastic life and accepted the throne. The convents main church a blue and white building was considered one of architectural masterpieces of Italian architect, Francisco Bartolomeo Rastrelli who also designed the Grand Catherine's Palace, The Winter Palace and The Grand Palace in Peterhof.
© Emile Abbott
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