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St Petersburg (phone area code is 812. From outside Russia dial +7812)
In 2003 St Petersburg celebrated only its 300th anniversary: it’s a young city compared to Moscow and yet there is probably as much, if not more, to see here. Many visitors prefer this northern city, perhaps because it is of more manegeable proportions than the capital.
“Peter”, as the locals call their city, is especially attractive in winter, when the snow shows up the brightly painted façades of the buildings. In summer, the most important cultural festival in Russia, “White Nights”, is held here in the last week of June. Whatever season you choose, St Petersburg with its grand architecture and emerging café culture is a fascinating place to visit.
History Peter the Great decided to build his new capital here to give Russia a “window on Europe”. He felt that his country was becoming introverted and backward with its capital isolated from the West. The building of this European capital, St Petersburg, was the first step in Peter’s crusade for Russia’s modernization.
Work began in May 1703 and in 1712 the capital was moved here from Moscow. St Petersburg grew quickly and stylishly, for Peter employed the finest Italian architects for the palaces and many other important buildings.
What to see The Hermitage Museum Bigger than the British Museum or the Louvre, this museum surpasses both in the lavishness of its setting and the comprehensiveness of its collection of paintings. It comprises two huge buildings, the Winter Palace and the Hermitage. The Winter Palace, designed by the Italian architect Rastrelli, was completed in 1762. The dozens of rooms and halls contained within its Baroque exterior were decorated in the reign of Catherine the Great who favoured the Classical style. Catherine ordered the building of the Hermitage, next door to her palace, as a place of retreat where she could contemplate her art collection.
The galleries of the Hermitage and the Winter Palace are so large that it would be impossible to see more than a small part of it in one visit. There are nearly 3 million works of art in its collection and to walk through each of the 300 galleries you’d cover a total distance of almost 25km! Check the official web site: www.hermitagemuseum.org
St Isaac’s Cathedral South of Decembrists’ Square is St Isaac’s Cathedral (built between 1819 and 1859) with its vast gilded dome and ornate interior, with capacity for 14,000 people. You can climb part of the way up the dome for a great view over the city.
Nevsky Prospekt Nevsky Prospekt has been the main shopping street and most fashionalbe place to be seen in St Petersburg since the foundation of the city. A walk along this grand street, past palaces and churches, over canals and beside faded buildings is a walk through the history of the city itself.
Kazan Cathedral Was designed by Voronikhin and completed in 1811. The large, domed cathedral is approached by a semi-circular colonnade.
Church of the Resurrection Looking north along the Griboyedova Canal, you’ll see the onion-domed Church of the Resurrection which is reminiscent of St Basil’s in Moscow. It was built on the spot where Alexander II was assassinated in 1881.
Where to stay Budget accommodation:
Midrange hotels:
Up-market hotels:
Where to eat There are lots of fast food restaurants but try the Russian places before ending up in McDonald’s.
Laima, on Kanala Griboedova does filling meals for around $2.50. There’s a German Grillmaster at Nevsky Prospekt 46, Kentucky Fried Chicken at Nevsky Prospekt 96 and McDonald’s at Bolshaya Morksya 11 and other locations around the city.
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