Hermitage Museum
Church of the Spilled Blood
St Isaacs Cathedral
Peter and Paul Fortress
City Information
Overview
St. Petersburg was founded by Emperor Peter in 1702 and was the capital of Russia for over 200 years. An exceptionally beautiful city, full of fascinating sights and treasures, St Petersburg is often known as the Venice of the North. The city is famous for its ''White Nights'', - the period running from May to July, when darkness barely falls. Early booking for this period is essential.
City Statistics
- The climate in St Petersburg is similar to the neighbouring cities on the coast of Finland (Tallin and Helsink) and the coastal cities Scandinavia. In winter temperatures can drop very low.
- The city has a population of around 5 million
- More than 60 large hotels of all standards
- 2 airports for domestic and international flights - Pulkovo I, Pulkovo II
The Neva River is the city's main waterway The name of the river derives from the ancient name of Lake Ladoga, the Neva where it begins. The Neva is 74 kilometers long, flowing 32 kilometers within the city boundaries. The average width of the Neva within the city is 600 meters, depth - up to 24 meters
- Every year St Petersburg is visited by more than 2 million guests from countries all over the world.
St Petersburg Culture
St. Petersburg's rich history is equalled only by its culture. The city is home to the world's best theatres, museums, classical and contemporary performers and great cathedrals. St. Isaac's Cathedral was originally the city's main church and the largest cathedral in Russia. It was built between 1818 and 1858, by the French-born architect Auguste Montferrand, to be one of the most impressive landmarks of the Russian Imperial capital. One hundred and eighty years later the gilded dome of St. Isaac's still dominates the skyline of St. Petersburg.
The State Hermitage occupies six magnificent buildings situated along the embankment of the River Neva, right in the heart of St Petersburg. The leading role in this unique architectural ensemble is played by the Winter Palace, the residence of the Russian tsars that was built to the design of Francesco Bartolomeo Rastrelli in 1754-62. In the Hermitage you can see some of the greatest royal collections of treasure. Peter and Paul Fortress and the famous palaces of Pushkin and Pavlovsk are other sites you should not omit.
The Mariinsky Theatre
Mariinsky Seating Plan
