The Savior on the Spilled Blood


Reflection of the Savior on the Spilled Blood after a short spring rain. Picture by Peter Sobolev

St.Petersburg is the realisation of Peter the Great's dream of a brilliant and unique capital for Russia. He founded the city in 1703, and since then hundreds of thousands of people have assisted in turning the popular tsar's vision into reality. The renown masterpieces of architecture, along with monuments to the city's heroic past and many museums, has made St.Petersburg into one of the world's top tourist destinations. St.Petersburg has a number of world-famous museums.

The Hermitage
(Open 10.00-18.00, SUN till 16.00, Closed on MON)

The Hermitage is the second largest world museum after Louvre in Paris. The collection of the museum consist of over three million items from stone ages to modern times. The collection of painting includes artwork of Leonardo da Vinci, Rafael, Michelangelo, Picasso, Matisse, Goya, Rubens, Rembrandt, Van Gogue and many other artists.

Entrance fee for foreigners is 60 roubles. You can also buy permission for photo and video.

This the most beautiful cathedral was erected on the very place of emperor Alexander II assasination. It was opened in 1998 after a 27(!) year long restoration.

Entrance fee for foreigners is 100 roubles

Straight opposite The Hermitage, on the Zayachii island stands The Peter and Paul Fortress. It's a place around which St.Petersburg has developed. Inside the Peter and Paul Fortress is the Sts Peter&Paul Cathedral where now all Romanovs buried.

Entrance to the fortress free. Entrance fee to cathedral and various museums is about 20 roubles.

The largest collection of Russian art from ancient icons to painting of the beginning XX century. Over 400 000 items.

Entrance fee about 30 roubles

The largest cathedral in the city which able to accomodate about 10000 audience. The observation platform on the colonnade provides magnificent view of the city.

Entrance fee about 50 roubles

The Bronze Horseman

Just across from the Square of Decembrists is the Bronze Horseman, the statue of Peter the Great that has come to symbolize St.Petersburg around the world.