St. Petersburg is Russia's second most important city after Moscow. A port city on the Baltic Sea, it was an imperial capital for two centuries. Its name derives from Peter the Great, who founded it in 1703.
St. Petersburg is a very rich city from the cultural point of view, its heritage includes the fabulous Hermitage complex.
During a trip to Russia, you cannot miss a visit to St. Petersburg. Here is what you should absolutely see during a stay or a weekend in this charming city.
10 must-see attractions in Saint Petersburg
1. Hermitage
The state museum of the Hermitage, located along the banks of the Neva, houses one of the most important art collections on the planet. Once a part of the imperial palace of the tsars, today it exhibits works by artists such as Caravaggio, Rembrandt, Monet and Renoir. The complex consists of different buildings, including the Winter Palace, the Small and the Large Hermitage, the New Ermitage and the Hermitage Theater.
2. Peter and Paul Fortress
Peter and Paul fortress, or citadel of St. Petersburg, was designed by architect Domenico Trezzini, by order of Tsar Peter the Great. It is located on the island of Lepri in the Neva and includes the Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul as well as some museums and historical monuments.
3. Palace Square
The Palace Square, overlooked by the Hermitage, is one of the most important squares in St. Petersburg. In the center it hosts Alexander's Column, erected in honor of Tsar Alexander I, who defeated Napoleon. Unfortunately, this sumptuous square was the site of a tragic event, the so-called "blood Sunday": in 1905 the tsar's troops opened fire on a group of demonstrators.
4. Peterhof
Peterhof, or "the court of Peter", overlooking the Gulf of Finland, is a palace built by the tsar Peter the Great and is included among the seven wonders of Russia. It is not exactly in St. Petersburg, but in the small town of Peterhof, 20 km from the city. Unesco Heritage, this complex includes several buildings and parks with avenues and elegant fountains.
5. Winter Palace
The Winter Palace is one of the main tourist attractions of St. Petersburg, along the banks of the Neva, designed, among others, by the Italian architect Bartolomeo Rastrelli. It was the winter residence and official residence of the tsars of Russia, it was damaged by fire and then rebuilt: today, as in the past, it stands in all its beauty, as a majestic symbol of tsarist power. It has the shape of a rectangle, its walls are decorated in white and blue-green and it is part of the Hermitage Museum.
6. Church of the Saviour on spilled blood
A church with a bizarre name, reminiscent of the assassination of Alexander II, which occurred in this place. His son, Alexander III, wanted the church to be erected here in 1883 in his memory. It's very different from other religious buildings in Saint Petersburg, being more similar to St. Basil Cathedral in Moscow with its five colorful domes and richly decorated tower bell.
7. Saint Isaac Cathedral
St. Isaac's Cathedral in St. Petersburg is the second highest oriental church in the world and its dome is among the largest ever built on the planet. It was designed by the French architect August Montferrand and its construction began in 1818. Its completion took many years and involved many workers. Today it is one of the most visited sites in St. Petersburg.
8. Nevsky Prospect
Nevsky Prospekt is the most important road through St. Petersburg, starting from the Palace Square and ending on the banks of the Neva River, from which it takes its name.
9. Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul
The Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul is located inside the homonymous fortress of Saints Peter and Paul, and was designed by the architect Domenico Trezzini. On the top of its golden spire there is an angel with a cross, considered a symbol of St. Petersburg. Since 1924 it has become a museum and houses the bodies of almost all Russian sovereigns and members of their families.
10. Mariinsky Theater
Mariinsky Theater hosts operas, plays and concerts and boasts its own namesake ballet. It owes its name to the princess Maria Aleksandrovna.
Would you like to visit St. Petersburg? Russia has many surprises for you!
