Kostel Lurdskoi Bozhiei Materi (Church of the Lourdes God's Mother), St. Petersburg

Walking along the Kovenskii lane you may notice this unusual building, the style of which reminds you of Medieval architecture. At the end of the 19th century French catholics who inhabited St. Petersburg decided to make a new parish with their own church. In 1898 the Tsar's permission was given and in 1909 it was built. After the October revolution the majority of Frenchmen returned to their motherland. However, this church was the only one which was functioning almost without intervals during the Soviet period. Inside you can see wonderful examples of stained-glass art, including ten panels on biblical subjects.