Who financed the construction of the mosque?

Abdul Ahad Khan, the Emir of Bukhara, acted as the main donor and covered the construction expenses, alongside donations gathered across Russia.

Which architects designed the building?

Architect Nikolai Vasilyev and engineer Stepan Krichinsky designed the building, with Alexander von Hohen supervising construction.

What materials decorate the exterior?

The walls consist of grey granite, while the dome and minarets are clad in sky-blue mosaic ceramics crafted by Peter Vaulin. Facades display oriental patterns and Arabic calligraphy with verses from the Qur'an.

Where is the mosque situated?

The building stands in central Saint Petersburg, positioned across from Peter and Paul Fortress.

Why was the building returned to the religious community after the Soviet closure?

President Sukarno of Indonesia visited the city and requested the reopening of the building, leading authorities to return it to the local Muslim community.

Saint Petersburg · Russia

Saint Petersburg Mosque: what's nearby, how to get there and when to go · 2026

Petrograd Side residents trade drafty prerevolutionary walk-ups for quiet courtyard gardens and morning walks past turquoise ceramic minarets.

Saint Petersburg Mosque · CC BY-SA 4.0

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Exchange rate₽80.94per 1 $RUB — the local currencyas of Nov 2, 2026

About the place

The turquoise dome rises behind granite river embankments as a quiet anchor for the local Muslim community.

Commissioned following approval from imperial authorities, the sanctuary rose through countrywide donations led by the Mufti of Orenburg and major funding from the Emir of Bukhara. Nikolai Vasilyev and Stepan Krichinsky conceived the design opposite Peter and Paul Fortress. Central Asian artisans shaped the interior carpets, while Peter Vaulin produced the sky-blue exterior ceramics in his Kikerino workshop.

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Grey granite masonry frames the exterior walls alongside Arabic calligraphy rendering verses from the Quran, complemented inside by polished green marble columns. State authorities later banned religious services and converted the premises into a medical equipment warehouse. Following an official visit and personal request by Indonesian President Sukarno, the complex was returned to local Muslim congregants.

Associations

Emir of BukharaFunded construction expenses following nation-wide fundraising efforts.
President SukarnoInterceded during an official state trip to restore community worship rights.
Peter VaulinProduced the distinctive sky-blue mosaic tiles at his Kikerino studio.
Soviet warehouse repurposingWorship was banned when municipal authorities repurposed the halls as a warehouse.
Central Asian craftsmenCarved ornaments and hand-wove large interior carpets for the main prayer hall.

Facts

Nikolai Vasilyev and Stepan Krichinsky collaborated to design the structure under the supervision of Alexander von Hohen.
Indonesian President Sukarno successfully petitioned Soviet leadership to return the shuttered building to the local Muslim congregation.
Peter Vaulin manufactured the turquoise mosaic ceramics for the dome and minarets in his Kikerino workshop.
The interior prayer space features structural columns cut from green marble alongside calligraphy bearing verses from the Quran.

Updated September 10, 2026Source: Wikipedia

Saint Petersburg Mosque: what's nearby, how to get there and when to go · 2026

What is around19

The turquoise dome rises behind granite river embankments as a quiet anchor for the local Muslim community.

Getting there and staying

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