St. Nicholas' Naval Cathedral, St. Petersburg

Many churches were closed or torn down during the time of Communism, but not the 18th century St. Nicholas Cathedral. It was one of 15 churches which remained open and working. The ice blue and white cathedral was well known as the “sailors church” for the fact that this was the church of choice for religious seamen. It houses the remains of Nicholas. It is traditional five cupolas are gilded and the four tier bell tower is said to ring when a person makes an offering pleasing to God. The gilded iconostasis in the upper church deserves particular attention.