St. Petersburg can undoubtedly be called a city of magnificent and majestic churches. Many Russians are familiar with the outlines of the Isaac, Kazan, and Peter and Paul Cathedrals, as well as the Church of the Savior on Spilled Blood since childhood. However, there are also other lesser-known religious buildings in the city that deserve tourists' attention. Today, I would like to tell you about the Lutheran Church of St. Anna (Annenkirche), located on Kirochnaya Street. The church is known for its unusual interiors, which survived a severe fire in the early 2000s.
How to Get There
Annenkirche is located in the city center, not far from Liteiny Avenue. The address of the church is Kirochnaya Street, 8B. It is open from Wednesday to Sunday from 12:00 PM to 8:00 PM. Admission is free, but anyone can leave a donation for the restoration of the building.
Before visiting, it is best to check the schedule of events for the current week on their VKontakte group. Various events are often held at Annenkirche, and admission is only by ticket.
A Bit of History
The first church in St. Petersburg was built almost immediately after the city itself was founded. The order for its construction was issued by Peter I in 1704. The building was located on the territory of the Peter and Paul Fortress. The main parishioners of the church were captive Swedish builders and Germans who moved to St. Petersburg at the Tsar's invitation.
The church was moved several times to different districts, and by the 1720s, it was located in the Liteiny district of the city. The first church on this site was consecrated in 1722. However, just 13 years later, a new building was laid down here. This happened during the reign of Empress Anna Ioannovna, who allocated 1,000 rubles for its construction.
The modern stone building of Annenkirche was constructed between 1775 and 1779. It is easy to guess that the street on which the church is located is named in its honor—Kirochnaya. Initially, the streets near the Liteiny yard were assigned only numbers, and Kirochnaya was known as the 5th line. During the Soviet era, it was named after M. E. Saltykov-Shchedrin. In the 1930s, the church building was reconstructed into a cinema named "Spartak."
In the 1990s, services resumed at the church, and by the end of the 20th century, "Spartak" had turned into a venue for various events, hosting rock concerts, underground film screenings, and avant-garde fashion shows. On December 6, 2002, a fire broke out in Annenkirche, classified as level 3 complexity, and the building was completely burned out from the inside. Several theories exist regarding the cause of the fire, with the most prominent being a short circuit in the wiring.
Today, Annenkirche is an active Lutheran church. The building has been restored, although traces of the fire are still visible, and this unique interior has become a hallmark of this landmark. Various events and concerts are held within the walls of Annenkirche. Unlike the turbulent 90s, the repertoire has become more subdued, featuring jazz and classical music. Guided tours are conducted on weekends, and it is advisable to check the starting times in advance.
Not long ago, I wrote about the Liteiny district, mentioning the magnificent Kelkh mansion, which is located near Annenkirche. Getting to it is not easy, but it is quite possible if you have the will. Good luck exploring St. Petersburg!
In summary:
- You can visit individually or as part of a tour group;
- Various events, including film screenings, performances, and concerts, are periodically held in the church;
- Amateur photography of the interiors is allowed, but professional photo shoots need to be agreed upon in advance.
