The museum is located on the territory of the Winter Palace. There are more than 3 million exhibits here.

Address:St. Petersburg, Palace Square, 2 / Dvortsovaya Embankment, 38, metro station “Nevsky Prospekt”, “Admiralteyskaya”

Saint Isaac's Cathedral

It is one of the most popular capitals. Now the cathedral is a museum.

Address:St. Petersburg, Isaakievskaya Square, 4, metro station “Nevsky Prospekt”, “Admiralteyskaya”

Church of the Savior on Spilled Blood

The temple was built on the site where Alexander II was mortally wounded. This is a major monument to the art of Russian mosaic.

Address:St. Petersburg, Griboyedov Canal, 2A, Nevsky Prospekt and Gostiny Dvor metro stations

Peter-Pavel's Fortress

The fortress was founded in 1703. Peter the Great himself worked on the project.

Address: St. Petersburg, Peter and Paul Fortress, 3, Gorkovskaya metro station

Kazan Cathedral

Kazan Cathedral is a functioning Orthodox cathedral temple in the city center.

Address:St. Petersburg, Nevsky Prospekt, 25, metro station “Nevsky Prospekt”, “Admiralteyskaya”

Kunstkamera (Museum of Anthropology and Ethnography named after Peter the Great)

The museum was founded in 1714 by decree of Peter I. The museum has more than a million exhibits.

Address:St. Petersburg, Universitetskaya embankment, 3, Nevsky Prospekt metro station

R ostral columns

Two 32 m high columns on the Spit of Vasilyevsky Island once served as a lighthouse.

Address:St. Petersburg, Birzhevaya sq.

Russian Museum

This The museum is the first museum of Russian fine art in Russia.

Address: St. Petersburg, Inzhenernaya I, 2-4, metro station "Nevsky Prospekt" and "Gostiny Dvor"

Mikhailovsky (engineering) castle

The palace was founded in 1797 by order of Paul I. In 2003, the building was turned into a branch of the Russian Museum.

Address: St. Petersburg, Sadovaya, 2, metro station “Gostiny Dvor”

Grand Model of Russia

Maketcompleted inscale1:87, area 800 m². The model shows famous sights of Russia.

Address:St. Petersburg, Tsvetochnaya st., 16, metro station “Moskovskie Vorota”

Gostiny Dvor

Gostiny Dvor was founded in 1755 by order of Elizabeth I. Now you can buy souvenirs here.

Address: St. Petersburg, Nevsky Prospekt, 35, metro station “Gostiny Dvor”

Leningrad Zoo

This is one of the oldest zoos in Russia. The history of the zoo began in 1865.

Address: St. Petersburg, Alexandrovsky Park, 1, Gorkovskaya metro station

Cruiser Aurora"

Since 1956, the ship museum has turned into a museum where you can see historical photos and exhibits.

Address: St. Petersburg, Petrovskaya embankment, Gorkovskaya metro station

Smolny Cathedral

The cathedral was built in the Baroque style by the great architect Rastrelli by order of Empress Elizabeth Petrovna.

Address:St. Petersburg, pl. Rastrelli, 3/1, metro station "Chernyshevskaya"

Anichkov Bridge

The bridge is famous for the famous sculptures “Horse with a Walking Young Man” and “Young Man Taking a Horse by the Bridle.”

Address:Nevsky Avenue

Bronze Horseman

The initiator of the creation of the monument to Peter I was Catherine the Great. The monument was opened on August 7, 1782.

Address:St. Petersburg, Senate Square, metro station "Nevsky Prospekt", "Admiralteyskaya"

Summer garden

The Summer Garden is the oldest park in St. Petersburg(1704), laid downby order of Peter I.

Address:St. Petersburg, Summer Garden Island, Nevsky Prospekt metro station, Admiralteyskaya metro station

Museum Palace A.D. Menshikova

Construction of the Menshikov Palace began in 1710. It was one of the first stone buildings in St. Petersburg.

Address: Universitetskaya embankment, 15,metro “Vasileostrovskaya”

Monument to the Tsar Carpenter

Monument to PeterIdepicts the king at the time when he studied naval science in Holland.

Address: St. Petersburg, emb. Admiralteyskaya, metro station "Nevsky Prospekt", "Admiralteyskaya"

Trinity-Izmailovsky Cathedral

This is one of the largest churches in St. Petersburg, built in 1835.

Address: St. Petersburg, Izmailovsky Ave., 7A, metro station "Technological Institute"

Comedy Theater named after. Akimova

Director Akimov brought popularity to the theater. The theater hosts performances based on modern and classical authors.

Address: St. Petersburg, pr-t. Nevsky, 56, metro station “Nevsky Prospekt”, “Admiralteyskaya”

Literary and Memorial Museum of F.M. Dostoevsky

The museum has recreated the furnishings of the rooms according to the memories of contemporaries.

Address: St. Petersburg, per. Kuznechny, 5, metro station “Vladimirskaya”

Pushkin Museum-Apartment on the Moika

Pushkin rented an apartment here from Princess Volkonskaya. From here the writer left for a duel.

Address:St. Petersburg, emb. Moika River, 12, metro station “Nevsky Prospekt”, “Admiralteyskaya”

Summer Palace of Peter I

The Summer Palace is locatedin the Summer Garden. Peter lived in this place in the summer.

Address: St. Petersburg, Summer Garden, emb. Kutuzova, 2, metro station "Gostiny Dvor"

Monument to Chizhik-Pyzhik

Ifget inwith a coin into the pedestal on which it is installedChizhik-Pyzhik, then the wish will come true.

Address:Saint Petersburg, 1st Engineering Bridge, opposite house No. 12/1 on the Fontanka embankment

Alexander Nevsky Lavra

It is believed that Nevsky defeated the Swedes in this place in 1240. Now the relics of A. Nevsky are kept here.

Address: St. Petersburg, emb. Monastyrki River, 1, metro station "Alexander Nevsky Square"

Admiralty

In 1704, according to the design of Peter I, the main shipyard of Russia was founded here.

Address:St. Petersburg, Admiralteyskaya embankment, 2, metro station "Admiralteyskaya"

The Wax Museum

The museum houses more than 1,000 exhibits, divided into thematic sections.

Address: St. Petersburg, Nevsky Prospekt, 35, metro station “Nevsky Prospekt”

Senate square

This square is one of the oldest squares in the city; its formation dates back to 1704.

Address: St. Petersburg, Senate Square,metro "Admiralteyskaya»

Stroganov Palace

The palace was built in 1752-1754. architect Rastrelli. Nowadays exhibitions are held here.

Address:St. Petersburg, Nevsky Prospekt, 17, metro station " Admiralteyskaya»

Temple Holy th Great Martyrs Ekat erins

The main shrines of the temple are the icons of the Tikhvin Mother of God and the Savior in Glory.

Address: St. Petersburg, Vasilyevsky Island, Kadetskaya Line, 27A

A large number of green parks and museums, the historical architecture of the monumental buildings of the cultural capital - getting to know all these places takes a lot of time. Most residents who have been living in St. Petersburg for many years have seen only a part of the interesting and exciting places that this city has to offer. So, let’s list the main ones attractions, which you simply must visit while in this amazing city.

Peter-Pavel's Fortress

Located on Hare Island, Peter-Pavel's Fortress is historical symbol of the city of St. Petersburg, because it was this small island that Peter the Great chose as the site for a new citadel, which became the cradle of the city. For more than one century, the fortress was used as a political prison, and today this wonderful architectural complex is part of and occupies the most important part of the State Historical Museum of St. Petersburg.

Interesting fact:
The Peter and Paul Cathedral became the tomb of the royal house of the Romanovs, as well as Russian emperors, starting with Peter I and ending with Nicholas II.

Winter Palace. Hermitage

Erected by Catherine the Great in 1764, Winter Palace, and now world famous Hermitage Museum, is one of the most famous landmarks of St. Petersburg and Russia, as well as one of the most impressive museums in Europe, and perhaps the world. The museum is rich in more than three million works of art representing different eras, styles and cultures. The Hermitage is considered one of the greatest museums in the world of art, having collected a huge collection of works of international art and culture in Russia. It will take a whole year to explore it all, but if you don't have much time, even a few hours will help you understand how unique this place is.

Interesting fact:
20 kilometers is exactly how much you need to walk to see all 350 halls of the Hermitage. It would take almost 7 years to devote at least a minute of time to each of the 3,500,000 exhibits.

Kazan Cathedral

1 photo: Andrew Vasiliev on 500px
Kazan Cathedral, also known as the Cathedral of the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God, is one of the most beautiful historical and architectural monuments of St. Petersburg. If you want to see a stunning masterpiece of Russian classicism, then you should not miss this famous cathedral located on Nevsky Prospekt.

Interesting fact:
By coincidence, the Kazan Cathedral was opened just after the Patriotic War of 1812, and began to be perceived as a monument to the victory of the Russian people over Napoleon. The Supreme Commander-in-Chief, Mikhail Kutuzov, was buried in this cathedral in 1813.

Summer garden

Located on the left bank of the Neva, opposite Trinity Square and the Peter and Paul Fortress, Summer garden a beautiful imperial green oasis surrounded by magnificent fountains and marble sculptures. Recently renovated, this is another must-see for those interested in Russian history or those who just want to relax. Here you can take a nice walk, sit under old trees or visit the small Summer Palace of Peter I.

Interesting fact:
The summer garden is surrounded on all sides by water. The natural border of the park from the north and east was the Neva and Fontanka rivers, from the south and west - the Moika and Lebyazhya Kanavka. According to the plans of Peter I, a fountain system was built. About 50 water cannons decorated the garden. Water was supplied to them using machines installed on a water tower built on the banks of the Fontanka.

Saint Isaac's Cathedral

1 photo: Venâncio Filho on 500px
Outstanding Saint Isaac's Cathedral- one of the most magnificent and important cathedrals in the city, also considered one of the most famous sights of the city of St. Petersburg. The cathedral is decorated in the best traditions of Russian fine art of the 18th century, shown at its best. For almost 200 years, St. Isaac's Cathedral was the fourth largest domed cathedral in the world and the largest in an imperial city.

Interesting fact:
St. Isaac's Cathedral has one of the largest domes in the world. Only the domes of St. Peter's in Rome, St. Paul's in London and Santa Maria del Fiore in Florence are larger than the domes of St. Isaac's Cathedral.

Catherine Palace is rightfully one of the most popular and worth a visit. If you get to the place, you will certainly be very impressed by its size, powerful spatial dynamics and picturesque decoration in the Russian Baroque style.

Interesting fact:
In 1756, all sculptural elements of the palace decoration were covered with gold. About 100 kilograms of pure red gold were used for gilding

Church of the Savior on Spilled Blood

Impressive and wonderful Cathedral of the Resurrection(commonly known as " Savior on Spilled Blood") is the most picturesque and visited in St. Petersburg. Erected near the famous Nevsky Prospekt on the Griboyedov Canal, this unique architectural masterpiece was built on the site where Emperor Alexander II was mortally wounded on March 1, 1881.

Interesting fact:
The collection of mosaics of the Cathedral of the Savior on Spilled Blood in St. Petersburg is one of the largest in Europe. More than 7 thousand square meters of the temple building are covered with mosaics, and the production of these masterpieces delayed the completion of work on the temple and its consecration for ten years!

Russian Museum

With over 400,000 exhibits, including paintings and sculptures, State Russian Museum is one of the most elegant buildings in St. Petersburg. Created according to the design of the Italian architect Carlo Rossi, today it is considered a treasury of national art.

Interesting fact:
The years of the Leningrad blockade had almost no impact on the collections of the Russian Museum thanks to the dedicated work of its workers - part of the collection was evacuated, part was stored in the palace basements, and part was buried in the ground of nearby parks for the duration of the war.

Peterhof

Gorgeous gardens and a huge beautiful royal palace built for Peter the Great, Peterhof remains one of the most important historical and architectural monuments of the 18th and 19th centuries, as well as one of the most famous sights of St. Petersburg.

Interesting fact:
In the palace and park ensemble of Peterhof there are 176 fountains that operate without a single pump. Water flows into them by gravity through specially constructed channels from the springs of the Ropshinsky Heights.

Nevsky Avenue

photo: serg_degtyarev
From the beginning of the 19th century to the present day, Nevsky Avenue was the most attractive, overlooking the popular embankment of the city of St. Petersburg. And in fact, many songs, poems, stories and stage books have been written about this great highway.

Interesting fact:
Nevsky Prospekt is the warmest part of the city. The temperature difference with the suburbs in summer is 2-3 degrees; in winter it is 10-12 degrees higher.

St. Petersburg has always been the main tourist center of Russia. Dozens of museums with valuable collections, palace and park ensembles from the heyday of classical architectural styles and the unique atmosphere of a social ball await city guests.

The glorious imperial past is reflected in the facades of the magnificent Winter Palace and the elegant spans of the aristocratic mansions of Nevsky Prospect. The graceful embankments of the city are dressed in granite, and the incomparable drawbridges over the Neva are a real architectural delight for numerous tourists.

The history of the country was created in St. Petersburg: the great achievements of Peter I, the brilliant victories of the Russian Empire and the first steps of the young Soviet Union. The northern capital of Russia is a harmonious synthesis of the illustrious past and dynamic future, the heart of the country and its eternal pride.

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What to see and where to go in St. Petersburg?

The most interesting and beautiful places for walks. Photos and brief description.

The former imperial country residence, which was founded by Peter the Great at the beginning of the 18th century. This grandiose palace and park ensemble is called the “Russian Versailles”. Over the three centuries of its existence, the appearance of Peterhof has changed quite a lot, and after the War of 1941-1945. it was literally rebuilt from the rubble. On the territory of the complex there are dozens of fountains, flower beds, walking alleys and pavilions that are reminiscent of the imperial era of Russian history.

The palace complex is located in the vicinity of St. Petersburg in the city of Pushkin. Until the beginning of the 20th century, it was called the Great Tsarskoye Selo Palace. The first royal house appeared here in the first half of the 18th century. Expansion began in the 1750s. during the reign of Elizabeth under the leadership of the architect Rastrelli. The palace was built in the classical Baroque style; the lush interiors are dominated by Rococo elements.

The largest museum in Russia, which, along with the Spanish Prado, the Parisian Louvre and the Vatican Museums, is on the list of the most outstanding and valuable collections of works of art in the world. The Hermitage exhibitions occupy 6 buildings; about 3 million exhibits are stored here. The real pride of the museum is the building of the Winter Palace, where the residence of the royal family was located. This magnificent complex was built by Bartolomeo Rastrelli in the Elizabethan Baroque style.

The main square of St. Petersburg is located in front of the Winter Palace. Its size is almost twice the size of the capital's Red Square. The architectural ensemble with ideal geometric proportions was erected in the 18th-19th centuries. In the middle of the square is the monumental Alexandria Column, which is dedicated to the victory of the Russian Empire over Napoleon's army. The column was erected by order of Nicholas I.

A palace and park ensemble located on an area of ​​600 hectares. Previously, these lands were the royal hunting grounds. In 1777, the lands were transferred to the ownership of Crown Prince Paul I, who planned to build a grandiose residence here for himself. In four years they built a palace and laid out a park. After the death of Paul I, his widow lived in the residence, who invested a lot of effort and money into expanding and decorating the complex.

Palace and park complex on the shore of the Gulf of Finland. Located 40 km from St. Petersburg. Most of the buildings and structures date back to the beginning of the 18th century. The architect of the complex is Johann Schedel. The imperial dacha with its preserved interior decoration is of particular value. The territory features sculptures, an artificial waterfall, and bridges. The attraction is part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

A building on the banks of the Neva, which is located on the site of the first shipyard on the Baltic Sea. The building was built in the Russian Empire architectural style. The figure of a ship crowning the spire of the Admiralty is one of the symbols of the Northern capital. Under Peter I there was a real fortress here, protecting the shipyard during the Northern War. Since 2012, the Admiralty has housed the headquarters of the Russian Navy command.

The first Russian drama theater for public visiting, founded in the middle of the 18th century by decree of Elizabeth Petrovna. Several decades after the appearance of the first building, reconstruction was carried out under the leadership of the architect C. Rossi. The most outstanding Russian directors worked at the theater at different times: V. Meyerhold, G. Tovstonogov, G. Kozintsev, N. Akimov.

The main St. Petersburg opera stage, one of the iconic cultural places of the city. The theater appeared in the mid-19th century by decree of Alexander II, who wished to give it a name in honor of his wife Maria Alexandrovna. Master Alberto Cavosa worked on the project. Productions of the Mariinsky Theater are very popular among foreign tourists; many come here with pleasure to listen to real Russian opera.

A museum created by decree of Peter I, where for more than 300 years samples of mutations, deformities, gene disorders, pathologies and man-made “disgraces” of nature and the human body were collected. In the first years of the museum's existence, real dwarfs, giants and other people with “abnormalities” lived here. Throughout the three centuries of its existence, interest in the collection has always been very high. To date, more than one million copies have been collected.

The world's largest museum of Russian fine art. Opened at the end of the 19th century. during the reign of Nicholas II. The collection was made up of donated exhibits from the Hermitage, Alexander Palace, Academy of Arts, as well as from the private collections of some Russian aristocrats. The main exhibition is located on the territory of the Mikhailovsky Palace. In the museum you can look at paintings by Bryullov, Repin, Aivazovsky and other masters.

The first museum of contemporary art in St. Petersburg has been welcoming visitors since 2010. The name is derived from the phrase “era of art,” that is, “era of art.” Among the 3 thousand exhibits there was a place for paintings, sculptures, video presentations and installations. The collection draws on, but is not limited to, the work of local authors. The museum hosts film screenings, temporary exhibitions and an annual festival.

The first residential building in St. Petersburg at the beginning of the 18th century, where the emperor lived during the construction of the city. Currently, the wooden structure has been moved to another location and covered with a stone frame for better preservation (the first frame appeared at the end of the 18th century). According to legend, the house was built in just three days by the hands of skilled carpenters. Since 1930, there has been a museum on the territory where you can see the tsar’s personal belongings.

A protective structure and historical center of St. Petersburg from the early 18th century, from which the construction of the city began. The fortress was never used for its intended purpose (it served as a prison). The architectural ensemble consists of fortress walls, bastions, front gates and administrative buildings. The Peter and Paul Cathedral on the territory of the fort was for a long time the main temple of the capital. It was built in the classical “Russian Baroque” style.

Built by order of Paul I in the center of St. Petersburg at the turn of the 18th-19th centuries. The emperor wanted to find a new home, fearing palace coups. Ironically, it was in the new castle that he was killed. Subsequently, the territory was transferred to the management of the Russian Museum. The castle is open to tourists with tickets or as part of excursions on an ongoing basis. In the courtyard there are monuments to Peter I and Paul I.

The majestic cathedral, the decoration of the city and the largest Orthodox church in St. Petersburg. The construction was carried out under the personal supervision of Nicholas I according to the project of O. Montferrand. The cathedral building is an example of late classicism with harmonious inclusions of neo-Renaissance and Byzantine style. The temple was named in honor of the patron saint of Peter the Great, Venerable Isaac of Dalmatia.

The temple erected by Alexander III on the site of the assassination of Tsar-reformer Alexander II. The height of the structure is 81 meters, which corresponds to the date of the tragic event - 1881. The cathedral was ready by 1907. Regular services were not held here, only services were held in memory of Alexander II. During the years of Soviet power, the temple was used as a morgue and warehouse. After renovation in 1997, a museum opened in the building.

The main Orthodox church of St. Petersburg, where the icon of the Kazan Mother of God is kept. The cathedral was built according to the design of the architect A. Voronikhin in the Empire style. The laying of the first stone took place in the presence of Alexander I. The interiors are decorated with monumental colonnades and are more reminiscent of a palace than a church. Icons for the temple were painted by famous masters O. Kiprensky, A. Ivanov and others.

The temple was built on the site of the regimental naval yard in the middle of the 18th century. The cathedral houses a revered Christian shrine - the icon of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker with part of the holy relics. Since the end of the 19th century, a charitable society operated at the temple, organizing a shelter for elderly women, a school and a hospital. Memorial services in honor of the fallen sailors are regularly held at the St. Nicholas Naval Cathedral.

An architectural complex built according to the design of B. Rastrelli (commissioned by Empress Elizabeth). Another name for the monastery is the Resurrection Novodevichy Convent. The Smolny Monastery took 87 years to build; work was constantly interrupted by wars and lack of sufficient funding. The main cathedral was never opened for worship. All the interior furnishings of the monastery were removed during the USSR period. A concert hall has been operating here since 1990.

The monastery was founded by order of Peter the Great, who wanted to perpetuate the victory of Alexander Nevsky over the Teutonic knights in 1240. After the consecration of the Trinity Cathedral of the Lavra, the relics of Alexander Nevsky were brought here. There was a printing house, seminary, shelter and hospital at the monastery. By the end of the 18th century, the monastery had become an important spiritual and cultural center of the Russian Empire and received the status of a monastery.

A monument dedicated to the founder of the city, Peter the Great, located on Senate Square. The Bronze Horseman appeared at the request of Empress Catherine II. She planned to immortalize the image of Peter in a majestic figure with a scepter, dressed in the clothes of a Roman emperor, but the sculptor Falcone thought otherwise. He represented Peter as the creator and benefactor of Russia. The result was a monument where Peter patronizingly “extends his right hand” over the country.

The most famous and picturesque street of the Northern capital, the front facade of the city. It stretches for 4.5 km. to the Alexander Nevsky Lavra. The avenue was designed as the main entrance to the city from Moscow. There are many architectural monuments here. Nevsky Prospekt is a popular place with a special atmosphere, which is perfect for walks, meetings, and shopping. The “spirit of St. Petersburg” itself lives here.

The building is a striking example of St. Petersburg Art Nouveau. It houses a bookstore. All city literature lovers gather here. At the beginning of the 20th century, the place belonged to the American company Singer, which planned to erect a high-rise building and place an office in it. Of the planned eleven floors, only seven were built, but still the structure stood out against the background of the surrounding landscape.

The building is located at the intersection of Nevsky Prospekt and Malaya Sadovaya Street. Construction took place in the first years of the last century. The architectural style is modern with eclectic elements. Gavriil Baranovsky was responsible for the project. The stained glass window on one side looks like a huge showcase with several floors. The facade is decorated with sculptures embodying "Science", "Art", "Commerce" and "Industry". Since 2012, after restoration work, the store has been reopened to customers.

new!

A public and business complex in the Primorsky district of the city. Built from 2012 to 2019. Its main objects are a skyscraper, which has become the largest in Europe, and a multifunctional building, divided into two blocks by an atrium. The height of the landmark together with the spire is 462 meters. The headquarters of Gazprom is located in Lakhta Center. For the convenience of citizens, they plan to build new highways and metro lines here.

The main waterway of St. Petersburg, one of the largest rivers in North-West Russia. According to one interesting version, the name comes from a Finnish word, which translated means “deep swamp”. The city embankments of the Neva are an independent attraction of St. Petersburg. From here you can watch the bridges being opened at night or just stroll and enjoy the panorama of the city.

The place where Vasilyevsky Island divides the river. The Neva is divided into two parts and seems to crash into the body of water. There are many buildings from different eras and architectural styles here, making this place a real open-air museum. Particular attention is drawn to the red-brown Rostral columns, decorated with ship prows. The structures served as lighthouses for ships until the end of the 19th century.

A drawbridge over the Neva River, a symbol of St. Petersburg. The structure connects Vasilievsky Island with the central part of the city. The bridge became operational in 1916, but its famous curly grilles appeared only twenty years later. The bridge was reconstructed in 1967, 1977 and 1997. Until 1998, a tram line ran here. The weight of the cast iron structure is 700 tons. Some elements of the bridge's draw mechanism are more than a hundred years old.

It is thrown across the Griboyedov Canal and connects Spassky and Kazan Islands. The length of the pedestrian bridge is just over 20 meters, the width is 1.85 meters. Opened in 1826, it has been reconstructed twice during its history. One of the three chain pedestrian bridges in the city. The name “Bankovsky” was given to the bridge, since the Assignation Bank was located nearby. There are sculptures of winged lions at both ends.

The city is located on an island in the Gulf of Finland. Over the 300 years of its existence, 17 sea forts were built here, surrounding the island on all sides and serving to protect the port. Today, Kronstadt is used as a trading port and a base for ship repairs. The historical center is included in the UNESCO heritage list. During a boat trip along the Gulf of Finland, you can see the remains of numerous fortresses.

A warship from 1900 that took part in the Battle of Tsushima in the waters of the Pacific Ocean. After returning to the Baltic Sea, it was used as a training ship. In October 1917, a cannon shot fired from a cruiser became the signal for the storming of the Winter Palace and the beginning of the Bolshevik coup (October Revolution of 1917). Until 1940, the ship was used for its intended purpose, and since 1948 it left for “eternal mooring”; a museum exhibition was placed inside.

The oldest city park of the 18th century, founded under Peter the Great. The first sculptures appeared here in 1707. During the tsar's life it was used as his summer residence. Under each successive ruler, the garden grew and eventually turned into a picturesque example of park art. Under Elizabeth, the territory was open to public visits (during the Empress's absence).

33. Lions, sphinxes and griffins

Numerous statues of lions, of which there are more than 1000 throughout the city. They are created from different materials and brought from different countries. Not only statues, but also lion bas-reliefs decorate the city facades. Lions began to appear on streets and squares in the 18th century. The animals symbolize the guards who are called upon to protect the peace and integrity of St. Petersburg.

One of the most interesting and popular excursions in St. Petersburg is a walk along the roofs of the city. From there you can see the city from a more picturesque perspective, watch a sunset or sunrise, and feel the city atmosphere more subtly. Experienced roofing guides know accessible places from where you can get to the roofs. During the tour, they will tell interesting and exciting stories from the life of the city.

A unique natural phenomenon characteristic of the northern regions. It lies in the fact that in the summer (June-July) the sun practically does not set, and the dark time of the day lasts only a couple of hours. White nights in St. Petersburg are the most romantic and pleasant time, when life in the city does not stop for a minute. People walk along the embankments, watch the bridges being raised, sit in cafes, have fun and enjoy life around the clock.

The City of White Nights is the magnificent brainchild of the great Emperor Peter I, often called Russian Venice or Northern Palmyra. Indeed, only a few cities in the world can compare with the brilliant St. Petersburg. It is no coincidence that it is considered the cultural capital of Russia, because literally at every step the traveler here will encounter something amazing and beautiful. In terms of the number of attractions per square kilometer of territory, the thriving metropolis, located on the banks of the Neva, is not inferior to the most popular tourist centers on the planet.

The sights of the beautiful city on the Neva are varied, multifaceted, and delightful. Among the abundance of things to see in St. Petersburg, it is certainly worth highlighting several places, architectural, historical and cultural monuments that make Northern Palmyra recognizable throughout the world.

• Address: Metro stations “Admiralteyskaya”, “Vosstaniya Square”, “Gostiny Dvor”, “Alexander Nevsky Square”.

Nevsky Prospekt, stretching 4.5 km from the Alexander Nevsky Lavra to the Winter Palace, is the calling card of St. Petersburg, its soul. Each of the 240 buildings, the facades of which overlook the famous Peter's prospect, is an architectural monument. The avenue, sometimes narrowing to 20 m, sometimes widening to 60 m, crosses the Fontanka, Moika, and Griboyedov Canal rivers with luxurious bridges. Walking along Nevsky Prospekt, travelers will be able to admire the majestic Kazan Cathedral, the colorful buildings of Gostiny Dvor and Passage, fountains on Malaya Sadovaya and in Kazansky Park, monuments to Catherine II, M. Kutuzov, A. Nevsky, B. De Tolly. Nevsky is always crowded, because acquaintance with the amazing St. Petersburg is usually started from here.

• Address: Zayachiy Island. Metro stations "Gorkovskaya" or "Sportivnaya".

The history of St. Petersburg essentially begins with the foundation of the Peter and Paul Fortress in 1703 on Zayachiy Island, which reliably protected the city for several centuries. The citadel, consisting of 6 forts connected by ravelins, was built according to a plan developed by the engineer Lambert and Peter I. At that time, it was considered practically impregnable. At different times, Tsarevich Alexei, Princess Tarakanova, F. M. Dostoevsky, the Decembrists and Narodnaya Volya were imprisoned in the casemates of the citadel. Today it has been turned into a magnificent museum complex. In addition to the royal tomb and the Peter and Paul Cathedral, the territory of the fortress houses the Museum of Cosmonautics, the Kunstkamera, the Military History Museum, and the Mint. According to a centuries-old tradition, which was not observed only in 1934-1957, the city residents are notified of the approach of noon by a cannon salvo from the Naryshkin bastion.

• Opening hours: daily, except Monday, from 10:30 to 18:00, Wednesday and Friday from 10:30 to 21:00.
• Ticket price: adult 400 rubles, students, schoolchildren, preschool children are admitted free of charge.
• Phone: +7 812 571-34-65.
• Website: http://www.hermitagemuseum.org
• Address: Palace Embankment, 34. Nevsky Prospekt or Admiralteyskaya metro stations.

The name of the museum, considered one of the largest in the world, is widely known outside of Russia. The Hermitage collection contains more than 30 million artistic masterpieces and artifacts dating back to various periods of human history - from the Stone Age to the present day. More than 5 million people who visit the museum annually can admire the creations of the greatest sculptors, painters, gunsmiths, and jewelers. Travelers from all over the world are eager to see rarities from collections dedicated to the history and culture of ancient Egypt, Mesopotamia, Greece, and Rome. The Hermitage exhibitions, in addition to the Winter Palace, are located in the Menshikov Palace, the Exchange building, and the eastern wing of the General Staff building.

• Address: Senate Square. Transport stop "Admiralteysky Prospekt".

Empress Catherine II, under whom the Russian Empire reached its peak, positioned herself as the successor of the glorious deeds of Peter I. It was she who ordered the erection of a monument in the capital worthy of the greatness of the reformer tsar, who laid the foundation for the power of the state. A huge boulder was chosen as a pedestal for it - the Thunder Stone, which was delivered for more than three months from the village of Konnaya Lakhta, located 8 km from St. Petersburg. In 1770, the bronze sculpture, cast according to the sketch of the Frenchman E. Falconet, took its place on the pedestal. The author managed to convey the expression of the moment. The emperor, crowned with a laurel wreath, tames a rearing horse that trampled a serpent with its hooves. The monument is striking in its expressiveness. It is no coincidence that the Bronze Horseman is sung in the poem of the same name by A.S. Pushkin.

• Opening hours: from Wednesday to Sunday inclusive, from 11:00 to 18:00.
• Ticket price: adult 400 rubles, reduced price 200 rubles.
• Phone: +7 812 230‑84-40.
• Website: http://www.aurora.org.ru
• Address: Petrogradskaya embankment. Metro stations "Ploshchad Lenina" or "Gorkovskaya".

The October Revolution can be viewed in different ways. At the same time, it is impossible not to admit that the cruiser Aurora, which has become one of its main symbols, is an iconic landmark of St. Petersburg. He became world famous after a blank salvo, which gave the signal for the storming of the Winter Palace, where the Provisional Government met. Meanwhile, there were many other events in the long history of the cruiser. The ship took part in the Tsushima naval battle, maintaining buoyancy after being hit by 18 shells of various calibers. During the Second World War it was part of the Leningrad air defense system and survived many bombings and shelling. Artillery guns taken from the Aurora rained down a barrage of fire and metal on the Nazis. After the end of the war, the ship, launched in 1900, was restored and placed in permanent berth. In subsequent years, the cruiser was repaired several more times, and its underwater part was completely replaced.

Amazing churches of St. Petersburg

The splendor of its churches can easily compete with the most popular tourist centers on the planet. The creations of Russian and European architects amaze with the variety of architecture, amaze with the ideality of proportions and the grandeur of their plans.

• Opening hours: from Thursday to Sunday inclusive, from 10:30 to 22:00, Monday and Tuesday from 10:30 to 17:30, closed on Wednesday.
• Ticket price 250 rub.
• Phone: +7 812 315-97-32.
• Website: http://www.cathedral.ru
• Address: St. Isaac's Square, 4. Admiralteyskaya metro station.

You can enjoy Montferrand's brilliant creation for hours, admiring its proportionality, grace, and grandeur. The construction of the majestic building, rising 101.5 m above the ground and crowned with a gilded dome with a diameter of 25.8 m, lasted 39 years. The exterior of the cathedral reflected all the best that architectural classicism is famous for - delightful porticoes supported by columns, luxurious bas-reliefs decorating the pediments, beautiful sculptures of the apostles. The interiors of the temple are no less magnificent. The panels, stained glass windows, paintings on vaults and walls, openwork stucco molding, and statues amaze the imagination. The cathedral houses shrines revered by the Orthodox - images of the Tikhvin and Korsun Mother of God, a cross containing particles of the Tree of the Lord.

For the first day, you can stick to the already indicated excursion program maximum, and for the second day of your holiday in St. Petersburg, think about a different format. An interesting option is an excursion to palace complexes in the suburbs of St. Petersburg, for example, to Peterhof (Grand Palace), Pushkin (Catherine Palace, Alexander Palace, Pushkin Lyceum) or Pavlovsk (Pavlovsky Palace).

The second popular format is a “museum day” with an overview of several treasure museums of the capital. But here you need to be careful: for a detailed acquaintance, you will be able to plan only 2-3 large museums for the day, such as the Kunstkamera, the Hermitage, the Peter and Paul Fortress complex, and the museum of the cruiser Aurora. The best way to end an evening (of any day) is to go to a play or musical performance in one of the St. Petersburg theaters.

What to see in St. Petersburg in 3 days

A three-day vacation program in St. Petersburg also involves choosing priority routes, since even during this period (and in a week) it is impossible to cover all the main attractions of the city and the nearest suburban palace complexes.

If the weather is good, one of the days can be devoted almost entirely to relaxing on Krestovsky Island - in the Divo Ostrov amusement park. On cloudy days, it is not difficult to find alternatives in indoor complexes such as Maza Park or large water parks.

Another direction is to discover literary St. Petersburg on your own: visit the museum-apartments of your favorite writers, photograph monuments dedicated to them, or even walk along Raskolnikov’s route. You can choose other unusual places to suit your taste: mark on the map lion sculptures, extraordinary architectural objects, a miniature park, routes along the embankments. For many tourists, the mandatory program also includes a cruise along the rivers and canals of St. Petersburg and photography of the sky from the well yard.

Sights of St. Petersburg for children

Standard routes around St. Petersburg for schoolchildren are excursion routes: trips to palace and park complexes, studying museum exhibitions or walks around the city center along the Neva Embankment, past the Bronze Horseman and St. Isaac's Cathedral.

You can diversify the cultural program by visiting unusual attractions that children will definitely like: for example, go for half an hour to the Museum-Chocolate Shop near Gostiny Dvor or to the Museum of Soviet Slot Machines. For a group of schoolchildren, you can organize a visit to the Wax Museum or, where master classes are held on Sundays. High school students will be interested in going to the museum-apartments of famous writers who lived in the city on the Neva at different times: to see where Gumilev, Dostoevsky, Pushkin, Blok, Akhmatova, Nabokov lived and worked. A universal holiday route for children and adults is a trip to the Leningrad Zoo.

The amusement parks and water parks of St. Petersburg deserve special attention, which are so often forgotten when planning a vacation program. In summer or spring-autumn, in good weather, it’s worth going to one of the amusement parks for the whole day: “Divo Ostrov”, “Gagarin Park” (in winter there is an ice town) or a rope park. There is entertainment there for every taste: children's and classic, extreme rides, interactive performances. The Piterland and Rodeo Drive water parks are open all year round, as are amusement parks in large shopping centers. Sights of St. Petersburg in winter - outdoor skating rinks on Palace Square, on Krestovsky Island, in Peterhof.

You will find more interesting places for family holidays in the material