| |
The following are descriptions of popular tours and sightseeing
activities in the St. Petersburg Region. We can take you to any
museum or sight, but many people enjoy touring based on "themes"
so they can see things in context with one another. Note that
some of these tours are best accomplished with a private car,
and that many museums and other institutions are closed at least
one day a week. In addition many of these tours require lengthy
walks that may be challenging to those physically impaired.
This list ideally is a planning guide for you and for us, so that
we can create an itinerary that will maximize the time the guides
spend with you (for instance, many of the neighborhood tours overlap
with specific museums and other sights).
We can help you plan your trip based on your interests and schedule. A good
first trip to St. Petersburg could include:
 St.
Petersburg Tour
The
Art of the Hermitage
The
"Favorites" of the Romanovs
Naval
Glory of St. Petersburg
Dostoevsky's
St. Petersburg
A
trip to Peterhof
Categories:
Please write to us at info@DiscoveringRussia.com
or call us at 1-212-758-8230 for a more complete list and to discuss
your interests.
An
Overview of St. Petersburg
ST. PETERSBURG. Whether this is your first visit to St. Petersburg
or you becoming reacquainted, this is an excellent way to see
the exterior of famous buildings and palaces to which you may
return at your leisure. You will get the panorama of the Admiralty,
Nevsky Prospect, Winter Palace, St. Isaac's, Church on Spilled
Blood, Mariinsky Theatre, Alexandra Nevsky Lavra (Monastery) and
more.
NEVSKY PROSPECT. This walking tour along Nevsky Prospect introduces
you to the most famous street in St. Petersburg, and to the history
of this second capital of Russia. Shops, theaters, concert halls,
churches and cathedrals, banks and office buildings, restaurants
and hotels make it a focus of many visitors' trips. Visit Alexander
Nevsky Monastery, Stroganoff Palace, the Church on the Spilled
Blood and Kazan Cathedral. Conclude at Palace Square and the Hermitage.
ST. PETERSBURG AT NIGHT. Many of the buildings, monuments
and vistas of St. Petersburg are best appreciated at night when
they are illuminated. You will drive through the downtown area,
and along the main street, Nevsky Prospect, and then along the
Neva.
The
Hermitage and Palace Square
THE ART OF THE HERMITAGE. When President Putin wants to
show world leaders the cultural treasures of his country, he takes
them first to the Hermitage. So much has gone on in the country
around it since its founding by Catherine the Great in the 18th
Century, and still the Hermitage remains a repository of masterpieces.
The post-impressionism collections of pre-World War I Matisse
and Picasso are equaled only by the Pushkin in Moscow. There are
many ways to focus your visit to the Hermitage, including a general
overview, European art, Impressionism, Post-Impressionism, Modern
Art, Special Exhibitions, the Treasury (including Imperial Jewelry
of the Romanovs), Arab and Moslem Art.
THE HISTORY OF THE HERMITAGE AND THE WINTER PALACE. Besides
housing one of the finest art collections in the World, the Hermitage
is filled with much Russian history, as one of its buildings,
the Winter Palace, was the primary residence of the Romanovs during
their three hundred year reign over Russia. Learn about the construction
of the many wings and buildings comprising the Museum (expanding
even today), see the living quarters of Romanovs in the Winter
Palace, and climb the October Upraising Staircase that the Bolsheviks
ascended to arrest Alexander Karensky's government.
THE NEIGHBORHOOD OF PALACE SQUARE. As the center of pre-Revolutionary
Russia, the area surrounding Palace Square contains wonderful
and seldom-explored palaces, including the Palaces of Grand Duke
Vladimir and Grand Duke Michael, the Moika (then and now a prestigious
area to reside in), and the last apartment of Alexander Pushkin.
The
Romanovs and St. Petersburg.
ROMANOV ST. PETERSBURG. For over 200 years after the founding
of St. Petersburg, the history of the Romanovs and St. Petersburg,
their imperial capital, was almost interchangeable. Starting at
the Cathedral of Peter and Paul Fortress, where you will be in
the room where all of the Romanovs of this time are interred,
you will learn how they left their mark on the city. See the history
of the Romanov's St. Petersburg, from the first Wooden House of
Peter the Great, to the Anichkov Palace, Smolny Cathedral, the
Church on Spilled Blood (the site on which terrorists killed Alexander
II), and the Winter Palace.
THE "FAVORITES" OF THE ROMANOVS. Just as Louis XV
had Madame de Pompadour, George IV had Beau Brummell, and
Prince Charles has Camilla, the Romanovs had their "favorites"—commoners
selected as trusted advisors, confidants and often more. From
Menshikov Palace (given by Peter the Great to his trusted advisor,
Prince Alexander Menshikov), to Tauride Palace (given by Catherine
the Great to her lover Gregory Potemkin after his military victories),
to Kshesinskaya Mansion (built by Matilda Kshesinskaya, the ballerina
and favorite of several Romanovs, including briefly Nicholas II),
discover why these people wooed rulers of Empires.
RASPUTIN AND THE TWILIGHT OF THE ROMANOVS. Stroll the neighborhoods
that Grigori Effimovich Rasputin wandered while he looked for
debaucheries. Marvel as he did during his last night at the magnificence
of Yusupov Palace. Then trace his final steps and hear about just
how hard it was to kill him and stop his insane influence over
Nicholas and Alexandra.
Architecture
BAROQUE AND NEO-CLASSICISM IN ST. PETERSBURG: From the
Menchikov Palace to Smolny to the Peter and Paul Fortress, some
of the best examples of Baroque and later Neo-Classic architecture
are in St. Petersburg. Learn how the architectural movements in
Russia began to mirror those in Europe, largely because of the
hiring by Russian Czars of some of the best architects and giving
them limitless resources.
STYLE MODERNE: RUSSIAN ART NOUVEAU. Sensuous and fanciful,
Russian Style Moderne (their unique form of Art Nouveau) is very
much under-appreciated by most visitors. As prominent here as
Gaudi is in Barcelona, there are examples along Nevsky Prospect,
such as the Singer Building (now Dom Knigi, the House of
Books) as well as less-touristed areas such as the Petrograd Side
of St. Petersburg. You will see works by such masters as Pavel
Syuzor, Fyodor Lidval and Alexander von Gogen in both restored
and raw settings.
ST. PETERSBURG METRO. First opened in 1955, the St. Petersburg
Metro is not nearly as ornate as its Moscow cousin, but nonetheless
many of the stations are representative of the decorative style
of their era. Built deep underground to serve as bomb shelters,
they are still clean and efficient, and some stations have innovations
such as platform doors that open when the trains arrive (to prevent
passengers from falling onto the track).
CONSTRUCTIVIST LENINGRAD: THE ARCHITECTURE OF A NEW WORLD.
Practiced between 1920 and 1934, its streamlined appearance
(often influenced by Le Corbusier) will remind visitors of late
Art Deco. Many of the best architects of the constructivist movement
(most notably Trotsky) later became adherents to the Stalinist
school of architecture, seemingly the opposite of the clean lines
favored by the constructivists.
STALINIST LENINGRAD: THE ARCHITECTURE OF INTIMIDATION, often
called "Stalinist Baroque" or "Stalinist Gothic"
came about after 1934 as a three-dimensional form of Socialist
Realism. Its main purpose was to show the power of the Soviet
state. The apogee of this movement came in the late 1940's-early
1950's when seven skyscrapers, all similar in excessive appearance,
were built. Ironically residential buildings in this style are
as sought-after by residents and expatriates as pre-War buildings
are in New York, for much the same reason. Overview of Neo-Classiscm
vs. Stalinism.
GREEN ST. PETERSBURG AND HER PARKS. See some of the parks
of St. Petersburg and their architecture and memorials, retrace
the steps of Eugene Onegin and many a bride. By viewing the Field
of Mars, the Botanic Gardens, the Orangerie, Victory Park and
the Summer Gardens (the most popular recreational spot in St.
Petersburg) you will have a sense of the appreciation that most
Russians have for green spaces that they can easily visit.
THE BRIDGES OF ST. PETERSBURG. Either in the day or by
night, while walking or in a boat, the variety of bridges of St.
Petersburg amazes many a visitor. Especially prized is the raising
of the bridges late at night (when it is often still twilight).
As long as you are on the side of the city with your hotel, you
will have a wonderful feeling of isolation while watching this.
Art and Music
A HISTORY OF RUSSIA AS ILLUSTRATED BY HER ART. The State Russian
Museum, often overlooked by visitors, has over eight centuries
of Russian art, from icons to contemporary painting and sculpture,
on display. This tour chooses works in the Museum that best illustrate
the history of Russia, from icons to 19th Century Realism
to the Avant-Garde, from Socialist Realism to Contemporary.
MUSICAL AND THEATRICAL ST. PETERSBURG. Explore both historic
theatres, including the Mariinsky (home of the Kirov Ballet and
Kirov Opera), the Mussorgsky, Philharmonic Hall, as well as the
Museum of Theatre Arts, the Museum of Musical Instruments and
the Chiliapin Memorial Apartment-Museum, housing memorabilia of
the great Russian tenor.
Soviet
Times
FROM ST. PETERSBURG THROUGH LENINGRAD TO ST. PETERSBURG. A
brief overview of the 20th Century's communist times,
from Palace Square, where the 1905 Revolution started, to the
Aurora (whose blank shot signaled the start of the Revolution),
on to Smolny, the Kirov Museum, and the Museum of Political History.
You will also see the building where President Vladimir Putin
lived during his childhood.
THE GREAT PATRIOTIC WAR IN ST. PETERSBURG. Visit the Museum
of the Blockade and learn about the 900-day siege of Leningrad
(more people died in this city during World War II than from the
United States and Great Britain combined), and visit the Monument
to the Heroic Defenders of Leningrad. Even though the city is
now enthusiastically called "St. Petersburg", the battle
is still known as "Leningrad" in honor of the 1,000,000
lives lost.
Meeting
Russians and Other Activities
ONE DAY IN THE LIFE OF PETER PETROVICH. Spend the day traveling
around the city learning about ordinary life for Russians. Go
to church, a school, an office, visit a farmer's market, a clothing
market, and ride the Metro. Conclude with tea with a Russian family
in their home.
LANGUAGE CLASS. Learn introductory "survival Russian"—
some of the Cyrillic alphabet, courtesy phrases, and emergency
words. A little knowledge of the language will really open up
your eyes and mind to the Russian world around you.
TROIKA OR CARRIAGE RIDE. Take a romantic ride in a troika
pulled by three horses in the winter, or a horse-drawn carriage
any time of the year. Feel like Anna Karenina!
LOMONOSOV FACTORY TOUR. One of Russia's premier luxury
products is Lomonosov Porcelain. Tour the factory and learn what
true hand-painted porcelain is about.
Come to a COOKING CLASS with our cook who will teach you
how to make blinis (pancakes). You will have lunch after the demonstration
is completed.
A ST. PETERSBURG ORIENTATION PROGRAM is designed for
new-comers who would like to shop in city markets beyond the exclusive
foreign stores. Not a sightseeing tour, but instead, an introduction
to shopping, driving, public transportation, public telephones,
cell phones, and the other everyday needs of St. Petersburg residents.
VODKA MUSEUM AND TASTING. Find out everything about the
history of Russian vodka in this new museum. Taste various vodkas
(many available only in Russia and sample appropriate zakuski-appetizers
such as blini e ikra (pancakes with caviar).
A visit to a ST. PETERSBURG SCHOOL or University. You will
be led by one of the teachers, meet some of the students, visit
classes and have a chance to talk about education, and school
problems with members of the staff, and an overview of the Russian
educational system.
Dinner in a ST. PETERSBURG APARTMENT WITH A RUSSIAN FAMILY.
Experience both hospitality and wisdom as you dine with the family
of a St. Petersburg professional in their private apartment.
Political
and Military History
PRISONS AND POLICE IN ST. PETERSBURG AND RUSSIA. Trace the
story of a few famous captives and see Trudeskoy Prison, the Secret
House, prison of Crosses, and the little-known Museum of Secret
Police
.NAVAL GLORY OF ST. PETERSBURG. Learn about St. Petersburg
as the naval capital of Russia, from Boathouse to purpose The
history of the Russian fleet, famous naval battles and boats,
visit to Naval Museum and/or Canal Trip, the Aurora (a Russo-Japanese
war ship later signaling the start of the Bolshevik Revolution),
the private boat of Peter the Great, "Grandfather of the
Russian Fleet", the Admiralty, the New Admiralty shipyard,
and Kronstadt Island.
WAR MEMORIALS OF PRE-REVOLUTIONARY TIMES. Hear about Russian
military history and memorials dedicated to some of their pre-Revolutionary
heroes. Kazan Cathedral, Alexanders Column, the Narva and Moscow
Memorial Gates, and the Bronze Horseman are some of the sights
you will explore.
CASTLES AND FORTRESSES. Learn about the history of different
defense constructions and fortresses, from Peter and Paul Fortress
(built to protect against an invasion from Sweden), the . Engineers
Castle, Kronverk, the Admiralty, the Swedish Fortress Mienchants,
Kronstadt and finally the Metro stations, built deep enough underground
to serve as bomb shelters in case of attack.
St.
Petersburg's Historic Neighborhoods
THE STRELKA: A SCIENTIFIC NEIGHBORHOOD. Besides a stunning
view of the Admiralty and the Hermitage the Strelka is worth exploring
to learn about the contributions that its institutions have made
to science and technology. Such institutes include the State University,
the Academy of Sciences, Research Institute of Pavlov, Kunstkamera
(containing Peter the Great's collection of medical curiosities)
and the Naval Museum. Optional trip to see Pavlov's Dog (yes,
one of the dogs that Dr. Pavlov used to test responses).
VASILIEVSKY ISLAND: .A RUSSIAN BUSINESS AND RESIDENTIAL DISTRICT.
Besides the Strelka and the passenger ship port complex few visitors
see the center of Vasilievsky Island. What makes this area interesting
is the fact that it is in many ways a typical Russian commercial
and residential district, with restaurants, shops, entertainment
and apartments that cater to typical (albeit prosperous) Russians.
You will get a sense of "the real Russia" by spending
a few hours in this district.
SENATE SQUARE. Starting at its center, the Bronze Horseman,
you will view many of the sights associated with the greatness
of the Russian Empire—The Admiralty, St. Isaacs Cathedral,
the Senate and the Synod all surround Senate Square.
KOLOMNA. Visit the neighborhood of Dostoevsky, Yusupov Palace,
the Conservatory and New Holland, to see how St. Petersburg has
developed in 300 years.
FROM NEVSKY PROSPECT TO SMOLNY, passing the apartment house
where Vladimir Putin lived, the American Consulate, the former
KGB Building, and stop at the memorial to the victims of political
repression of the 20th Century.
Religious
St. Petersburg
ORTHODOX ST. PETERSBURG. The purpose is to show the history
of development of Russian orthodoxy in St Petersburg, including
the church transitions and conflicts over the last 300 years,
told by the history of construction of churches, starting with
the earliest, Peter and Paul, up to the latest small churches
built after the fall of Communism. Alexander Nesvky Monastery
(one of the three lavras, highest-ranking monasteries, in Russia),
St. Nicholas Cathedral. St. Isaacs Cathedral (one of the worlds
largest domed churches), Church on the Spilled Blood. Conclude
at the Museum of History of Religion in Kazan Cathedral, (where
in 1932 the government-sponsored "League of the Godless"
opened a Museum of Anti-Religion here, with many exhibits bordering
on the pornographic to depict believers as immoral, crude and
backward).
JEWISH ST. PETERSBURG. Explore the life of the St. Petersburg
Jewish Community during Russian, Soviet times and the present.
You will visit the Lubavither synagogue, with an optional lunch
at a Kosher restaurant.
WORLD RELIGIONS IN ST. PETERSBURG. The purpose is to show
the variety of religion which existed in St. Petersburg starting
with the first days of the city's history until the present time,
telling about the practice of religious tolerance from the time
of Peter the Great to attract foreigners to Russia. Show the places
of the Moslem Mosque, Synagogue, Armenian Church, Lutheran Church,
a Catholic church, and a Buddhist Datsan.
The
Great Russian Writers
DOSTOEVSKY'S ST. PETERSBURG. Walk in the area where Fyodor
Dostoevsky lived during the last part of his life, the neighborhood
that inspired Crime and Punishment. The Dostoevsky Museum
was his last and probably happiest residence. Housed in the museum
are the writer's personal belongings, a room dedicated to scenes
from his novels, and a history of his life's writings and time
in prison.
THE ST. PETERSBURG OF PUSHKIN. Learn about the author of Eugene
Onegin, The Bronze Horseman and other classics of Russian
literature by visiting the lyceum where he studied, the house
where Pushkin met Anna Kerm, his last apartment, and of course
the Literature Café where he had his final meal. Also visit the
Church of the Holy Shroud, where his memorial service was hold.
Palaces
Outside St. Petersburg
PETERHOF. The world's most beautiful fountains here, on the
grounds of the great palace of Peterhof. Whether arriving by car,
helicopter or hydrofoil, you will be overwhelmed in the summer
by the cascading water. Besides the main palace, there are enough
outer buildings of note to keep you occupied all afternoon.
PUSHKIN. The palaces here are notable as the last residence
in St. Petersburg of Nicholas and Alexandra, as well as home to
the Amber Room. Also known as Tserskoe Selo.
ORIENBAUM. The Palace was known as Pushkin during Soviet times
(Pushkin studied at the Lyceum located in the Palace), and the
town still retains this name, but the Palace is once again known
as Tserskoe Selo. It is most famous as the last Royal residence
of the Romanovs (in 1917, after Nicolas's abdication), and the
site of the Amber Room.
PAVLOVSK. Originally Royal hunting grounds, Pavlosk was given
in 1777 by Catherine the Great to her son, later Paul I. As typical
of European palaces of this time, the style very much is Neo-Classical,
somewhat like a Roman villa. The 1,500 acre English-style park
is popular with St. Petersburg residents.
GATCHINA. The palace and park ensemble of Gatchina is an
outstanding example of 18th Century landscape architecture.
The palace, built in the Early Classical Style to a design by
Antonio Rinaldi between 1766 and 1781, was enlarged by Vincenzo
Brenna in 1796 - 1798, and reconstructed by Roman Kuzmin between
1845 and 1860. The landscape parks, occupying 700 acres, contain
lakes, ponds, and canals. Various bridges, terraces, obelisks,
piers, and gates throughout the park add to the beautiful scenery.
During Word War II, Gatchina was severely damaged, and especially
in the last 10 years much has been restored.
Day
Trips Outside St. Petersburg
KRONSTADT. Famous for its unique 19th Century
Orthodox cathedral, as well as its military fortress dating from
Peter the Great.
REPINO. Named in honor of Ilya Repino, painter of many
Russian historic scenes and persons, this town has been traded
back and forth between Russia and Finland several times. The main
attraction is Penates, Repino's estate. In 1944 it was
burned by Nazi troops (an act that was specifically mentioned
in the Nuremberg trials) and has since been restored.
Weekend
Trips in the St. Petersburg Region
HISTORIC MONUMENTS OF NOVGOROD AND SURROUNDINGS.
Situated on the ancient trade route between central Asia and northern
Europe, Novgorod was Russia's first capital in the 9th century.
Surrounded by churches and monasteries, it was a center for Orthodox
spirituality as well as a center for Russian architecture. Its
medieval monuments and the 14th-century frescoes of Theophane
the Greek (Andrei Rublev's teacher), depict the development of
its remarkable architecture and cultural creativity. A day or
overnight trip from St. Petersburg.
VALAAM. Accessible by overnight ship or private yacht, Valaam
is one of the holy sites in Russia, special to both pagan and
later Christian worshipers. The Monastery dates from the 10th
Century. Valaam is also a place of great natural beauty with forests,
rocky shores and more than 400 varieties of plants.
KIZHI. The "pogost" of Kizhi - the Kizhi enclosure
- is located on one of the many islands on Lake Onega, in Karelia.
Two wooden 18th-century churches, and an octagonal clock tower
made in 1862, can be seen there. These unusual constructions,
in which the science of carpentry led to a bold visionary architecture,
perpetuate an ancient model of parish space and are in total harmony
with the surrounding landscape. An overnight trip from St. Petersburg
via ship, private yacht, train or a day trip via helicopter.
|
|
|
|
|
