Saint Petersburg is called the 'Northern Venice' and the cultural capital of Russia. The city and its suburbs contain many historical and architectural monuments. Tourists are especially attracted to the historic center of Petersburg: wide squares, avenues, boulevards, parks and gardens, picturesque embankments of the Neva and an intricate network of rivers and canals. We have compiled a list of sights worth seeing.
PARKS
Summer Garden
Photo: Wikimedia Commons.
The city's oldest park, an 18th-century monument of landscape garden art, established by order of Peter the Great. Located in the center of Saint Petersburg, next to Mikhailovsky Castle, the Field of Mars and the Church of the Savior on Spilled Blood. Known for its marble sculptures, fountains and historic pavilions. An ideal place for leisurely walks in the city center. It is a branch of the State Russian Museum.
Peterhof State Museum-Reserve
Peterhof. Photo: Pixabay.
Peterhof. Photo: Pixabay.
'The Russian Versailles' – the famous summer residence of Peter the Great. World-renowned for its magnificent palaces and the unique fountain complex, which operates in the warm season (from May to October). Main attractions include the Grand Palace, the Lower Park with the Grand Cascade and the Samson Fountain.
Tsarskoye Selo State Museum-Reserve
Photo: Wikimedia Commons.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons.
A former imperial country residence, best known for the Catherine Palace with the reconstructed Amber Room. Surrounded by extensive and beautiful parks – the Catherine and Alexander Parks – which are masterpieces of landscape garden art in their own right.
Pavlovsk State Museum-Reserve
Photo: zaburdaev.ru
One of the largest landscaped parks in Europe, created at the behest of Paul I and Maria Feodorovna. Noted for its harmonious combination of natural landscape and architectural structures. An ideal place for long walks in nature.
Old Ladoga Museum-Reserve
Photo: Wikimedia Commons.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons.
At the Old Ladoga Museum-Reserve you can visit sights and take excursions. The complex was established in 1984 to preserve and study the area's cultural heritage. Attractions include the Staraya Ladoga fortress, the Church of St. George, the Nikolsky (St. Nicholas) Men's Monastery, the Holy Assumption Convent for women, the 12th-century white-stone Church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin, and the Church of the Nativity of John the Baptist.
Gatchina State Museum-Reserve
Photo: Wikimedia Commons.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons.
The museum-reserve is located in the town of Gatchina in the Leningrad Region. It covers the Gatchina estate area with landscaped parks and palaces created in the second half of the 18th century. In the Gatchina and Priory Palaces visitors can see paintings, sculptures, porcelain, glassware and items made of gold, bronze and other precious metals. In the Palace Park you can stroll through the historic English Garden along the shores of Lakes Beloe and Serebryanoe. The site also includes the oldest structures associated with the name and deeds of Grigory Orlov: the Chesme Obelisk (1770), the Eagle Column and the Eagle Pavilion.
Mikhailovsky Garden (and Palace)
Mikhailovsky Castle. Photo: Pixabay.
Located directly next to the State Russian Museum and the Church of the Savior on Spilled Blood. It combines elements of formal and landscape park design. It offers picturesque views of the Russian Museum, the Church of the Savior on Spilled Blood and the Mikhailovsky Palace. It is also a branch of the Russian Museum.
Tauride Garden
Photo: Wikimedia Commons.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons.
One of the city's most beautiful landscaped parks, founded at the end of the 18th century. Named after the Tauride Palace around which it is located. A great place for walks: it has a pond, children's playgrounds and a greenhouse.
Field of Mars
Photo: Wikimedia Commons.
A historic memorial space in the city center originally used for parades and celebrations. Today it is a large open area with lawns, monuments and the Eternal Flame. The Field of Mars is a historic site associated with Russian history and the revolution.
Park of the 300th Anniversary of Saint Petersburg
Photo: Wikimedia Commons.
A modern park on the shore of the Gulf of Finland with wide alleys, spacious lawns, fountains and a great view of the gulf and the Lakhta Center. There are children's playgrounds and a beach area. An excellent place for active recreation and walks in the fresh air.
Central Park of Culture and Recreation named after S.M. Kirov (CPKiO) on Yelagin Island
Photo: Wikimedia Commons.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons.
One of the city's most picturesque and largest parks. You can go boating, cycling, rollerblading, feed squirrels, visit a mini-zoo, and play on children's playgrounds. Festivals and family events are often held here.
Primorsky Victory Park and the 'Divo Ostrov' Amusement Park
Photo: Wikimedia Commons.
Primorsky Victory Park is a large green area ideal for walks, picnics and cycling. Inside the park is 'Divo Ostrov' – the city's largest amusement park with attractions for children of all ages, from toddlers to teenagers (and adults!).
Historical Park 'Russia – My History'
Photo: spb.myhistorypark.ru
A multimedia historical park in Saint Petersburg, opened in 2017. It is part of a nationwide system of parks that introduce visitors to the history of Russia from ancient times to modern events.
Vyborg United Museum-Reserve
Photo: Pexels.
Vyborg Castle is the only surviving medieval castle structure of the European type, founded in 1293 during the Third Swedish Crusade. The St. Olaf Tower is the city's calling card. The castle is a monument of history and architecture and has served as a museum since 1960. It houses local history exhibitions and hosts temporary interactive, cultural and photography exhibitions. Concerts, festivals and knight tournaments are held on the castle island. You can attend lectures, hold celebrations or take part in a medieval quest. Cultural and educational programs are provided for children at the museum's Children's Center and the Hall of Knights.
Park of Culture and Recreation named after I.V. Babushkin
Photo: a-a-ah.ru
The park was founded during the time of Catherine II and is one of the oldest green spaces in the Nevsky District of Saint Petersburg. For many years it has remained a favorite recreation spot for residents of the Neva Outpost. The 14-hectare park is a green area planted with poplars, oaks, lindens, birches, ashes, maples and rowans. In addition, acacias, wild roses, nut trees, jasmines, spireas and lilacs have been planted there.
HISTORICAL ATTRACTIONS
Marble Palace
Photo: A. Savin.
The Marble Palace is a historic building in the center of Saint Petersburg, a monument of Russian Neoclassical architecture. It was built between 1768 and 1785 by order of Empress Catherine II. The palace's architect was the Italian Antonio Rinaldi. Since 1992, the Marble Palace has been a branch of the State Russian Museum.
Sevkabel Port
Photo: Wikimedia Commons.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons.
A former industrial area on the shore of the Gulf of Finland that has become a popular creative space. It houses exhibition halls, galleries, studios, cafes and restaurants. Many cultural events take place here: art exhibitions, festivals and installations. A great place for those who appreciate contemporary art and an alternative urban atmosphere.
New Holland (public space)
Photo: Wikimedia Commons.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons.
A historic island-archipelago transformed into a modern cultural and public center. Temporary art exhibitions, installations and art festivals are regularly held here, and small art spaces operate as well. A great place for walks and to get acquainted with the city's contemporary cultural life.
Peter and Paul Fortress
Photo: Wikimedia Commons.
The heart of Saint Petersburg. On the fortress grounds are the Peter and Paul Cathedral (the burial vault of Russian emperors), the Trubetskoy Bastion Prison and other historic buildings. It offers a magnificent view of the Neva. It is part of the State Museum of the History of Saint Petersburg.
Palace Square
Photo: Pexels.
The main square of Saint Petersburg, an architectural ensemble of global significance. It is home to the Winter Palace, the General Staff Building with its Arch, and the Alexander Column. The site of key events in Russian history.
Nevsky Prospect
Photo: Wikimedia Commons.
The main street of Saint Petersburg. Many historic buildings, cathedrals (Kazan, the Church of the Savior on Spilled Blood), shops, palaces and bridges are located along it. A walk along Nevsky Prospect is an immersion in the city's history and everyday life.
The Bronze Horseman (Monument to Peter I)
Photo: Wikimedia Commons.
The famous monument to the city's founder, Emperor Peter the Great, located on Senate Square. Created by sculptor Étienne Falconet. A symbol of Saint Petersburg and one of Russia's most famous monuments.
Kazan Cathedral
Photo: Wikimedia Commons.
The city's main active cathedral, built in the Neoclassical style modeled after St. Peter's Basilica in Rome. It played an important role in the history of the Patriotic War of 1812. The miracle-working icon of Our Lady of Kazan is kept here.
Spit of Vasilievsky Island and the Rostral Columns
Photo: Wikimedia Commons.
A historic spot where the Neva divides into the Great and Little Neva. The Strelka ensemble includes the Exchange building, warehouses and two Rostral Columns, which served as beacons and symbolized Russia's naval power. From here you can enjoy magnificent views of the Peter and Paul Fortress and the Winter Palace.
Central Naval Museum, 'Cruiser Aurora' branch
Photo: Wikimedia Commons.
A branch of the Central Naval Museum (CNM). The cruiser features nine exhibition halls, the combat bridge and the submerged engine and boiler rooms accessible to visitors. More than 500 historical exhibits are displayed: unique documents and photographs, multimedia installations, items of naval life and actual munitions.
