1. Palace Square
The main square of St. Petersburg is one of the biggest and impressive places in the world. From the Palace Square one can see other popular places of interest like the St. Isaac’s Cathedral or the Admiralty.
Adress: Dvortsovaya Naberezhnaya 34
Metro: Nevsky Prospekt
- Alexander Column (1829-1834)
Erected in the centre of the Palace Square to honor tsar Alexander I and to commemorate Russian victory against Napoleon in the Patriotic War of 1812.
- Winter Palace (1754 - 1762)
This magnificent baroque imperial palace is now the main building of the Hermitage museum.
- General Staff building (1819-1829)
2. Alexander Garden
- Admiralty (1704)
The tower with the spire is 72,5 meters high. Its gilded needle with the weather vane in form of a caravel is one of the landmarks of St. Petersburg.
TIP: The Admiralty tower offers one of the most beautiful views over St. Petersburg.
Address: Admiralteyskaya Naberezhnaya 2
Metro: Nevsky Prospekt
3. Nevsky Prospekt
The main street of St. Petersburg with numerous places of interest, noble palaces, cafés, restaurants and fashionable stores. Nevsky Prospekt is about 4.5 km long and goes from the Admiralty to the Alexander Nevsky Monastery.
Metro: Nevsky Prospekt, Gostiny Dvor, Mayakovskaya, Ploshchad Vosstaniya, Ploshchad Alexandra Nevskogo.
TIPS:
- The former delicatessen shop Yeliseevsky its splendid Art Nouveau interior decoration is probably one the world’s most beautiful groceries. Another Yeliseevsky store is located in Moscow in the Tverskaya Street.
Address: Nevsky Prospekt 56, at the corner of Nevsky Prospekt and Sadovaya Street. - Those who like shopping in a stylish atmosphere will love "Gostiny Dvor" – the oldest, biggest and most beautiful department store in St. Petersburg. The store was built in 1761-85.
Address: Nevsky Prospekt 35
Metro: Gostiny Dvor
Open from 10.00 a.m. to 10.00 p.m. (Wed. and Thurs. till 10.30 p.m.) - Stroll along Nevsky Prospekt at night and enjoy the lighted facades of the buildings.
4. Peter and Paul Fortress
The historic core of St. Petersburg. The foundation stone of the fortress was laid in May 1703. This day is still celebrated as the city’s birthday.
On its 304th birthday on May 27, 2007 St. Petersburg celebrated the grand opening of the newly restored Peter’s gate. This triumph arch is especially important for the city as it was the idea of Peter the Great to erect the gate. The tsar also personally chose the place for it. The Peter’s gate was designed by the Italian master Domenico Trezzini. Now, three centuries later, the restoration was possible due to the cooperation between Italy and the city of St. Petersburg.
TIPP: Enjoy the view of the Peter and Paul Fortress from the Trinity Bridge.
Interactive scheme of the Peter and Paus Fortress (in Russian)
Address: Petropavlovskaya krepost 3, (entrance from Troitzkaya Ploshchad)
Metro: Gorkovskaya, Sportivnaya. Bus 46; Trams 6, 40; Shuttle buses 46, 76, 183, 223
- Peter and Paul Cathedral (1712-1733)
The main building in the fortress. Its gilded spire, 122.5 meters (about 402 feet) high, is one the symbols of St. Petersburg. Russian tsars from Peter I. to Nikolai II and members of the royal family are buried in the cathedral and in the nearby Grand Dukes Mausoleum.
Hours of Operation (from May 1 through Sedptember 15):
Daily 10:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. (the colonnade till 10:00 p.m.)
- The Mint
The mint was opened in 1724 and still manufactures Russian coins. The current building was erected between 1800 and 1805.
5. Decembrist Square (Senate Square)
Named after the Decembrist Revolt on December 14, 1825. (Decembrists were young noble officers who led 3000 soldiers in a protest against the new tsar Nikolai I. As the soldiers refused to swear allegiance to the tsar, many of them were shot dead. Later, the five leaders were hanged in public.)
Metro: Nevsky Prospekt
- Peter the Great Monument known as the "Bronze Horseman" due to the narrative poem by Alexander Pushkin. The monument was opened in August 1782.
6. Strelka of the Vasilievsky Island
The Eastern spit of Vasilievsky Island is called "Strelka". Almost every newlywed couple in St. Petersburg traditionally comes to the Vasilievsky Island to make a wish and shoot nice wedding pictures after the official ceremony.
Address: Birshevaya Ploshchad 4
Metro: Nevsky Prospekt; trolleybus 1 or 7
- Rostral Columns
Two monumental red columns decorated with ship’s beaks (lat.: rostrum) flank the semicircular square in front of the Stock Exchange.
- The Stock Exchange
The Stock Exchange was founded by Peter the Great and used to be the trade centre of St. Petersburg. The current building was erected in 1810
7. The Summer Garden
The oldest and most beautiful park in St. Petersburg with numerous sculptures. The park was laid out in 1704. The Russian poet Alexander Pushkin used to live next to the Summer Garden. He spent lots of time here walking around, reading or writing.
The Sommer Palace of Peter the Great is situated in the Summer Garden.
Address: Naberezhnaya Kutuzova
Metro: Gostiny Dvor, Nevsky Prospekt
