Trans-Siberian: Saint_Petersburg

Home
Train tours
Vladivostok
Ferry lines
Russia
Visa support
Homestay
About us
Contact us
Site-map

Saint_Petersburg

Population: about 4.5 millions.

Average temperatures: January -7, April +6, July +17, October +7

St Petersburg is the second largest city in Russia and one of the most beautiful world destinations. St Petersburg (known as Petrograd in 1914-1924 and as Leningrad in 1924-1991), the northern capital of Russian Federation, the seaport, the administrative center of Leningrad the Neva river as a fortress on May 27, 1703. The city became the capital of Russia in 1712 up to 1918 when the capital was transfered back to Moscow. The northern geographical location of the city explains the white nights from June 11 up to July 2 when the sun sets only 9 degrees below the horizon and the faint twilight gradually turns into the dawn. The city was built by the most famous architects and nicknamed "The Babilon of the snows" and "the Venice of the North".

The present city is a large industrial, transport, scientific and cultural centre of Russia with a population of 5 million. The Petropavlovskaya Fortress is remarkable historical and architectural memorial in St Petersburg. The Winter Palace, designed Rastrelli in 18th century the former residence of Russian tsars, located on the Palace Square, is one of the most beautiful architectural ensembles in the world. The Hermitage with its collection of over 2,5 million exhibits is one of the biggest world art museums. The Russian Museum contains 3 thousand paintings (10th-20th centuries) of Russian artists. The St Isaac's Cathedral is an outstanding monument of the late Russian Classicism. The majestic architectural ensembles in the suburbs are well-known all over the world. Peterhof or Petrodvorets - the former Russian imperial residence, Pavlovsk, Pushkino -the former country residence of the Russian tsars, are among them.

WHAT TO SEE

ALEXANDER NEVSKY LAVRA

Alexander Nevsky Lavra is one of the largest architectural ensembles in the city. In 1790, the silver shrine with the relics of Saint Grand Duke Alexander Nevsky was moved to the Holy Trinity Cathedral.

ARTS SQUARE

Arts Square is one of the most interesting architectural ensembles in St Petersburg as all the buildings facing the square are connected to arts.

BRONZE HORSEMAN

It's a monument to Peter I, the founder of St Petersburg.

CESME CHURCH

A legend says that it was the place of meeting of Catherine II with a messenger who brought her news about the glorious victory of Russian troops over the Turkish fleet near Cesme in 1770. In honor of historical event the Empress ordered to construct the palace and the church on the site of meeting with the messenger.

CRUISER AURORA

The Cruiser Aurora took part in the armed rising that led to great political changes in Russia. The gun of the cruiser Aurora gave the blank shot. It was the signal to start the assault of the Winter Palace.

KAZAN CATHEDRAL

This icon was a family relic of the Romanovs and was thought to be the patroness of the not only of the ruling royal family but of all Russia. But the Patriotic War of 1812 became a crucial point in the history of the cathedral.

MIKHAILOVSKY CASTLE

Mikhailovsky Castle is one of the most mysterious buildings in Saint Petersburg. His owner was Paul I, a mystic and exceptional Russian emperor, who died in the castle. He became the victim of the coup d'etas. A group of conspirators went to the emperor's bedroom, and Paul I was throttled.

MOSQUE

In 1913 Saint Petersburg Mosque was built. The mosque architects followed the traditions of Moslem architecture in the interior decoration.

NAVAL ST NICOLAS CATHEDRAL

The architecture of Naval St Nicolas Cathedral of the Epiphany combines baroque style with elements of traditional Russian architecture.

PETER AND PAUL FORTRESS

The first construction of the new Russian capital. The ensemble of the Peter and Paul Fortress includes Commandant's House, the Engineers House, the Artillery armory, the Mint, the Treasury, the Guardhouse and other historical constructions. The Cathedral of Peter and Paul served as a royal burial-vault.

PETERHOF

The world-famous palace, fountain and park ensemble of Peterhof, often called the "Capital of Fountains", is situated 30 km from the center of Saint Petersburg.

PUSHKIN

Pushkin, a small town and one of the most picturesque suburbs of Saint Petersburg is situated 24 km to the south from the Northern capital. Till 1918 the town was called Tsarskoye Selo (literary - "tsar's village"). For two centuries Tsarskoye Selo stayed the main summer residence of Russian emperors.

SAVIOR-ON-THE-BLOOD

One of the most beautiful cathedrals of Saint Petersburg, the Savior-on-the-Blood was erected on the place where Russian Emperor Alexander II was murdered.

SMOLNY CATHEDRAL

One of the best Baroque architectural ensembles of Saint Petersburg the Smolny Cathedral is situated on the bank of the River Neva. it took 87 years to build the cathedral.

ST. ISAAC'S CATHEDERAL

St Isaac's Cathedral is one of the most remarkable monuments of Russian architecture. The golden dome of St Isaac's Cathedral can be seen from any part of the city.

THE ADMIRALTY

The central part of the main building is topped with the tower having the weather-vane in the form of a ship on its top that has become the symbol of the city. The weather-vane, which we can see today, is the forth one, placed on the top of the Admiralty tower in 1886.

THE HERMITAGE

The Hermitage is one of the best museums not only in Russia, but in the whole world. The State Hermitage Museum has entertained visitors for more than two centuries.

THE KUNSTKAMMER

Today the collection consists of more than 1.8 million objects (about 250,000 ethnographic, 500,000 archaeological, 380,000 pieces of physical anthropology, 800,000 illustrative materials).

THE RUSSIAN MUSEUM

The Russian Museum in St Petersburg, along with Tretiakov Gallery in Moscow, is the largest museum of Russian art in the world. It treasures rich collections of ancient and modern art by Russian and Soviet painters, sculptures, and graphic artists.

THE RUSSIAN VODKA MUSEUM

The museum dedicated to vodka was opened in St Petersburg just recently, in 2001. It is the only museum of this sort in the world.

Email: info@trans-siberian.su