Nevsky Prospekt
Location
Since the 18th century, the Nevsky Prospect has been the main street in St. Petersburg. Planned, by the city’s namesake himself – Peter the Great, was the main road to Moscow in the past. Nowadays, it stands as one of the biggest tourist attraction in the whole Russia and is known around the globe as one of the most extravagant shopping areas.
Hermitage
Location
The Hermitage is the biggest art museum in Russia and is one of the must-visit places in St. Petersburg. The reasons don’t lie only in the vast collection of the works of art of Da Vinci, Rafaelo, Van Gogh, Rembrant, and others, but also in the history of the museum building itself.
The main museum hall, the Winter Palace was built in the 18th century as a residence of the Russian emperor, Tsar Peter the Great, but it also was the place where Russian monarchy came to an end. This was the place where the royal family were held prisoners during the October Revolution. After that, the building became the part of the Hermitage museum.
River Neva Cruise
Location
St. Petersburg lies at the confluence of the river Neva and the Gulf of Finland. The terrain earned the city its nickname – the Venice of the North. But, it’s not only the canals that remind of the Italian city, but also the baroque style of palaces and churches. Most of those buildings are located along the river Neva, so a boat cruise looks like an unforgettable adventure.
Palace Square
Location
The Palace Square has been the central point of St. Petersburg since the city was built. On this place many significant events happened, including the October Revolution that changed the modern world. It’s located between the Hermitage and the Nevsky Prospect, near the river Neva. On the central part of the square is the Alexander Column, a magnificent monument to the Russian victory over Napoleon’s forces.
In the modern days, the square serves as the central point of both tourists and the citizens of St. Petersburg. The Palace Square hosted many cultural exhibitions, most importantly the concert of the Rolling Stones, AC/DC, Madona, Andrea Bocelli, etc.
Peterhof Palace
Location
The royal court of the emperor Peter the Great, Peterhof, is often called the Russian Versailles. It is the huge complex of palaces and surrounding parks, located some 30 kilometers from the St. Petersburg center. During the Siege of Leningrad in the WWII, Peterhof was ravished by Germans. However, after the war, the palace was repaired and turned into a museum, which is today one of the most famous sights in St. Petersburg.
Peter and Paul Fortress
Location
The Peter and Paul Fortress was made with one purpose – to protect the city of St. Petersburg. It is one of the first built structures in the area, by the order of the city’s namesake himself, Peter the Great. This fortress is basically the center of St. Petersburg, because the city grew around it trough the history.
The fortress’ main purpose was to protect the new Russian capital from the enemies during the war with Sweden. However, it was never used for this purpose, instead it was used as a prison. Many historical figures were held here, the last being the ministers of the Russian Empire during the October Revolution.
Catherine Palace
Location
Also known as Tsarskoye Selo (the Emperors village), the Catherine Palace is a magnificent complex of gardens, baroque-styled summerhouses, and colorful palaces. It was the place where Russian royal families have lived since the 18th century.
It is located outside the city limits, some 25 kilometers from the center of St. Petersburg. Parks around the area give an impression of a romantic and quiet place, but the interior of the royal buildings gives evidence of extravagance.
St Isaac’s Cathedral
Location
Saint Isaac's Cathedral is the largest Orthodox cathedral in the world. This monumental building is dedicated to Saint Isaac of Dalmatia, a patron saint of Peter the Great, who had been born on the feast day of that saint. The cathedral took 40 years to construct from 1818 to 1858, under direction of French-born architect Auguste de Montferrand.
The Church of the Savior on Spilled Blood
Location
Built in a classic Russian Orthodox style, the Church of the Savior on Spilled Blood is one of the most elaborate churches of St. Petersburg. The walls of the church are covered in more than 7,500 square meters of mosaics, which makes it the unique in the world.
Mariinsky Theatre
Location
The Mariinsky Theatre was the center of cultural life of the 19th-century St. Petersburg. Since it was opened in 1860 it has become the prestigious venue for opera and ballet fans. This place helped the Russian classical music thrive. Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky and Modest Mussorgsky are just some whose works premiered here, making them popular, instantly.
Restaurant Chekhov
Location
Restaurant Chekhov has kept the spirit of the past times in pleasant surroundings, on one of the biggest islands in St. Petersburg. The restaurant is a bit further from the main city attractions, but the visitors all agree it’s worth visiting. The style of the interior gives the right insight of the life from the city’s golden era. The service is also at the top level, offering traditional Russian dishes and what most tourists find interesting, homemade beverages.
