ALEXANDER NEVSKY LAVRA

Alexander Nevsky Lavra is one of the largest architectural ensembles in the city. It is located at the end of Nevsky Prospect, between Alexander Nevsky Square and Obvodny Canal, at the confluence of the Monastyrka River and Neva River. In 1710, Peter the Great ordered to build the Monastery of the Holy Trinity and Saint Grand Duke Alexander Nevsky in honor of the victory over Sweden won in 1240. In 1717 the construction of the monastery was started. In 1790, the silver shrine with the relics of Alexander Nevsky was moved to the Holy Trinity Cathedral. Peter I assigned utmost importance to the monastery. It became the center of training priests of high rank for the most important Orthodox Churches in Russia. The ensemble of the lavra includes various monastery buildings and contains several cemeteries: Lazorevskoe Cemetery, dating back to the 18th century, Tihvinskoe Cemetery, where the outstanding persons such as Dostoevsky, Lomonosov, Karamzin, Chaikovsky, Komissarjevskaya and others are buried, and Nikolskoe Cemetery founded in 1861. From the very beginning of its existence Alexander Nevsky Lavra was considered to be the main burial place in Imperial Russia. The members of royal family, priests, outstanding governors and commanders are buried there.

Nowadays, Alexander Nevsky lavra is the monastery belonging to Saint Petersburg eparchy.

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.

The center of the ensemble is the Mikhailovsky Palace. The palace is separated from the square with monumental cast-iron wrought. In the center of the facade of the palace there is a portico decorated with columns. On the sides of the granite staircase there are two bronze statues of lions. In 1898 the Museum of Russian Art, housed in the palace interiors, was officially opened to the public. Today the Russian museum contains the largest collection of works of Russian art in the world. To the left from Mikhailovsky Palace there is the Maly Opera and Ballet Theater named in honor of composer Mussorgsky. Today the repertoire of the theater includes operas and operettas by outstanding Russian and foreign composers, performed by genre masters. On Arts Square, there is Bolshoy Hall of St Petersburg Philharmonic, built in 1839. From the 40s of the 19th century, the Bolshoy Hall of Philharmonic became the center of the musical culture of Petersburg: it was the place where world-famous musicians such as Liszt, Berlioz, Wagner, Schumann and others gave concerts. Next to the Mikhailovsky Palace there is the building of the Ethnographic Museum The exposition of the museum includes the collections of the life items of ethnographic groups of Russia and former USSR, as well as works of modern folk arts and crafts.

The monument to the Russian poet Alexander Pushkin stands on Arts Square.

BRONZE HORSEMAN

The first monument in our city was erected on Senate Square. It's a monument to Peter I, the founder of St Petersburg. This monument, commemorated by Pushkin in his poem The Bronze Horseman, is one of the best samples of the world monumental sculpture and one of St Petersburg symbols. The French sculptor E.M. Falconet was invited to make the sketches for the monument. In 1782 the monument was opened. On each side of the pedestal there is an inscription done in Russian and Latin reading: "To Peter the First - Catherine the Second".

CESME CHURCH

On the site where the Cesme Church is located, in the first half of the 18th century a swamp which the Finnish people called the frog bog used to be. 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. The messenger did not find the Empress in the Winter Palace and hurried to catch her on her way to the Tzarskoye Selo. In honor of historical event the Empress ordered to construct the palace on the site of meeting with the messenger. A church was built near the palace a few years later. The wall surface of the church is decorated with narrow vertical rods and plastic lancet arches, intersected with high lancet windows. The walls are topped with a parapet and pinnacle turrets. The palace and the church were called Cesme in the 10th anniversary of victory in Cesme Battle. In 1991 the church was turned into the functioning temple and used for prayers.

CRUISER AURORA

The Cruiser Aurora, moored at Petrovskaya Embankment, in front of the Naval School named after Admiral Pavel Nakhimov, is not only a monument to Russian shipbuilding, but also a symbol of the Soviet epoch. The Aurora played an important part in Russian history. The crew of the cruiser supported the Bolsheviks' party, and on 24-25 October (6-7 November, new style) the 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. As a result of the historical assault, the Provisional Government was arrested, and the Bolsheviks' party got the power. It was the beginning of the new era in Russian history. Today the cruiser is the Ship Museum.

KAZAN CATHEDRAL

The solemn laying of the Cathedral of Our Lady of Kazan took place on the 27th of August, 1801. The new cathedral replaced the wooden church that had been constructed in 1733-1737 by architect Zemtsov and treasured the miracle-working icon of Our Lady of Kazan. 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. The Patriotic War of 1812 became a crucial point in the history of the cathedral. The temple constructed to house the miracle-power icon of Lady of Kazan was turned into the treasury of the victory relics and became a sort of museum of Russian war glory. In 1813 in the Cathedral of Our Lady of Kazan field-marshal Kutuzov was buried and the memorial significance of the cathedral increased considerably. In 1837 in front of the cathedral the monuments to celebrated Field Marshals Mikhail Kutuzov and Barclay de Tolli, the heroes of the Napoleonic war, were placed. Nowadays, the divine service was held in the Cathedral of Our Lady of Kazan.

MIKHAILOVSKY CASTLE

Mikhailovsky Castle is one of the most mysterious buildings in Saint Petersburg. It bears the stamp of individuality of its owner, Paul I, a mystic and exceptional Russian emperor, who died in the castle. It was built on the site of the Summer Palace, in which Paul I was born and spent his youth. When he became the emperor, he refused to live in the Winter Palace, as he was in constant fear of attempts on his life. Inclined to mysticism, Paul I is believed to say: "I want to die where I was born". He ordered to reconstruct the Summer Palace and start to put up the new official royal residence - the Mikhailovsky Castle, named in honor of Archangel Mikhail. The new royal palace was shaped as a medieval castle. Its look harmonized with mystical spirit of the emperor. From four sides the castle was surrounded by waters of the Moika River, the Fontanka River and two canals, which were specially dug. To leave the palace and depart to the city, one should use the hanging bridges, which were raised in the nights. The royal residence, isolated from the city, inspired fear and trembling. In the Mikhailovsky Castle Paul lived only for 40 days. Paul I became the victim of the coup d'etas. A group of conspirators went to the emperor's bedroom, and Paul I was throttled. There is a version, according which the throne heir Alexander I knew about the planned attempt on his father's life and gave his silent approval for the assassination.

About twenty years after Paul's murder the castle was empty. Nobody of the royal family wanted to live in such a dismal place. In 1819, the castle was given to the Engineering School, and since 1823 the building gained its second name - Engineering Castle. It was the place where the best representatives of native technical intelligence got educated. Among the students of the school was the famous Russian writer Fyodor Dostoevsky. Nowadays the Mikhailovsky Castle belongs to the Russian Museum.

MOSQUE

In 1913 Saint Petersburg Mosque was built. The mosque attracts people with its exotic view, unusual for the northern landscape of Saint Petersburg. The dome and two minarets of the mosque are decorated with multi-colored tiles, the walls are made of gray granite and the facade is decorated with sayings from the Koran. The mosque of Saint Petersburg is one of the largest in Europe and the "northernmost" in the world. The mosque architects followed the traditions of Moslem architecture in the interior decoration. The columns supporting the arches under the dome are faced with green marble. In the center of the hall hangs a giant chandelier, covered with sayings from Koran. Nowadays the mosque is restored and serves as a functioning Moslem temple.

NAVAL ST NICOLAS CATHEDRAL

The architecture of Naval St Nicolas Cathedral of the Epiphany combines baroque style with elements of traditional Russian architecture. The Cathedral is one of the most beautiful temples of St Petersburg. The Cathedral was named after St Nicolas Chudotvotetz (Wonder Worker). It became a kind of memorial in honor of the lost seamen. In the garden around the Cathedral one can see the memorial in honor of the heroes of the Russian-Japanese War. Naval St Nicolas Cathedral is one of few cathedrals that were not closed in the Soviet period.

PETER AND PAUL FORTRESS

The first construction of the new Russian capital, the Peter and Paul Fortress, occupies the central position in the architectural ensemble of city center, and the Peter and Paul Cathedral with its high bell tower is one of the main landmarks of Saint Petersburg. The plan of the fortress was worked out by Peter himself who made it in the shape of elongated hexagon with six projecting bastions, connected by curtain walls. 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.

Although the Peter and Paul Fortress was built as a fortification construction it was never used as such. For almost two centuries it served as a main political prison of the country. One of the first convicts became Tsarevitch Alexey, the son of Peter I, who was against the politics of his father. During the whole period of the prison existence nobody managed to escape it. The special place in the fortress ensemble belongs to the Cathedral of Peter and Paul. It served as a royal burial-vault. Many Russian emperors (from Peter the Great till last emperor Nicolas II) were buried near the cathedrals.

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. The emperor Peter the Great regularly traveled from Saint Petersburg to Kronshtadt to oversee the construction works. In order he could rest during the long and wearisome trip several wooden houses were built on the place where Peterhof would later appear. The main attraction of Peterhof is its hundreds of fountains, each unique in style and decor. The most treasured among them is the famous Great Cascade designed by Peter the Great. This grandiose fountain construction unmatched in the world is shaped as a grotto with stairs-waterfalls on the both sides. The Samson Fountain with a great spewing lion became the brightest monument to the glorious victory of the Russians over the Swedes in 1709. The wonderful parks, countless fountains of various forms and styles, cascades, majestic palaces, numerous gilded statues of ancient gods and heroes were to demonstrate the might and glory of Russia that had turned into a navy state and become firmly established on the Baltic Sea.

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"). Under Peter the Great this territory was presented to his wife, Catherine and the first palace was erected. For two centuries Tsarskoye Selo stayed the main summer residence of Russian emperors. Its construction was of state significance and the palace and park ensemble was regularly enriched with new edifices created by the best architects of that time. Tsarskoye Selo was especially loved by emperors Elizaveta Petrovna and Catherine the Great. After the October revolution the palace and park ensemble was turned into a museum. The Second World War is associated with the mysterious disappearance of the Amber Room. During the occupation this priceless work of art was dismantled and taken out to Germany. Where it was brought and hidden nobody knows. But the Amber Room was reconstructed till 2003.

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 on the 1st of March, 1881. The tsar was mortally wounded by the terrorists from the People's Will revolutionist organization. The cathedral was constructed in the style of the 16th-17th century Russian architecture and has a lot in common with the Church of St. Basil the Blessed that stands on the Red Square in Moscow. The rich mosaics that cover the walls of the cathedral both inside and outside are of a great value. The mosaic panels were made in Frolov's workshop to the originals by outstanding Russian artists, including Vasnetsov, Nesterov, Riabushkin and others. The total area of the mosaic is impressive 7,050 square meters. In the decor of interiors Italian marbles and Russian semiprecious stones, such as jasper, topaz, rock crystal and others are used.

SMOLNY CATHEDRAL

One of the best Baroque architectural ensembles of Saint Petersburg the Smolny Cathedral is situated on the bank of the River Neva. The dazzling blue and white Baroque-style cathedral became the center of the ensemble. The architect combined elements of Russian and European architecture perfectly and harmonically. Situated in the center of the inner yard the 93,7 meters high cathedral creates the impression of lightness, dynamics and plasticity. The rich decor of the facades, abundant use of the gilt, splendid combination of blue walls and white modeling make the cathedral look festive and solemn. The cathedral is surrounded with four blue and white churches that form a cross. The construction works were started in 1748, and the interior decorations were finished only in 1835. Thus, it took 87 years to build the cathedral. Today Smolny Cathedral is used primarily as a concert hall and the surrounding convent houses various offices and government institutions.

ST. ISAAC'S CATHEDERAL

St Isaac's Cathedral is one of the most remarkable monuments of Russian architecture. This grand structure filled up the space of the Senate Square, and created a new square as well. Alongside with the Peter and Paul's Cathedral and the Admiralty it became an important architectural landmark in the cityscape. The golden dome of St Isaac's Cathedral can be seen from any part of the city. The history of the construction began in 1710, when the first wooden church was put up in honor of St Isaac of Dalmatia. It was on St Isaac's day, according to the Orthodox calendar, that Peter I was born. The present Cathedral is the fourth erected on the site in 1825. It took forty years to build the cathedral. A lot of valuable materials such as lazurite, malachite, porphyry, all kinds of marbles were used. The walls and vaults of the cathedral bear paintings and mosaic works made by well-known Russian artists including C. Brullov, F. Bruni, P. Basin, P. Shebuyev and others. On the whole, more than 200 artists took part in the worksSt Isaac's Cathedral is one of the largest domed structures in the world. The building, being rectangular in its layout, rose 101.5 m high. Having the area of 4 thousand square meters, the Cathedral can hold up to 12 thousand people. The cathedral became the main church in St Petersburg during last 250 years.

THE ADMIRALTY

The Admiralty shipyards were founded by Peter the Great on the left bank of the Neva River in 1704. 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. It weights 65 kg and it's covered with 65 kg of pure gold, but still it turns around easily to indicate the wind direction.The 22-meters high-relief the Establishment of Fleet in Russia decorates the Admiralty tower. The relief represents Neptune who is handing Peter I the trident - the symbol of power over the sea. At the corners of the tower attic stand the statues of ancient heroes and commanders: Alexander the Great, Achilles, Ajax and Pyrrhus. The sculptural decoration of the Admiralty tower also includes the composition Nymphs carrying the globe. The Admiralty housed the Naval Architecture School that was later transformed into Saint Petersburg Naval Engineering Institute.

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 Hermitage's finest art collections present the development of world culture from the ancient times to our century. There are more than three million pieces of artwork in the Museum. Works of such geniuses as Leonardo da Vinci, Raphael, Titian and others are presented in the Hermitage Museum in St. Petersburg. The permanent collections of the Museum include paintings by outstanding artists from France, Italy, England, Holland, Spain, Flanders, Germany and other European countries, pieces of Ancient Greece and Rome, oriental arts, numismatic works, traditional Russian art and much more.

THE KUNSTKAMMER

The Kunstkammer, founded by Peter the Great in 1714 in St Petersburg, was the first museum in Russia. 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 museum's permanent exhibitions include depictions of the traditional cultures of the peoples of the Americas, Africa, Asia, Australia and Oceania, as well as a historic display entitled "From the History of St Petersburg Kunstkammer". In the museum one can see Peter the Great's collection of unique anatomical and biological formations. This museum of St Petersburg is really a "Cabinet of Curiosities" that will stir you imagination with millions of pieces brought from every corner of the world.

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 museum was founded in 1895 in honor of Alexander III by order of his son Nikolai II. The original collection comprised works from the Hermitage, Gatchina Palace, Academy of Arts Museum and private collections. In 1898 the Russian Museum was open in the Mikhailovsky Palace, built by K. Rossi in 1819-1825.

Today the Russian Museum collections are housed in several buildings (Mikhailovsky Palace, Mikhailovsky Castle, Marble Palace, and Stroganov Palace). Over 400,000 exhibits represent all the stages and all the genres of Russian art - from ancient icons to works dating back to the end of the 20th century.

One of the most fascinating collections of the Russian Museum is the collection of icons, which numbers more than 5,000 items. The oldest icons date back as far as the 12th century. The museum keeps works of Old Russian applied art as well. Some of them date to the 10th century.

The Russian Museum always runs various exhibitions dedicated to different aspects of Russian art - from ancient to very modern.

THE RUSSIAN VODKA MUSEUM

The first tavern where one could buy vodka was opened in Russia in 1533. The beverage was brought into the country even earlier, at the beginning of the 15th century. 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. The exhibition of the museum contains various materials, including a great collection of vodka bottles. One of the distinguished features of the museum is that visitors can taste vodka in the special room.