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Saint Petersburg - one of the most beautiful cities in the world. Its historical and cultural value is comparable only to Paris , London and Rome . "Nothern Palmira", " Northern Venice ": this city was given a set of poetic names. In 1990 Saint Petersburg was registered by UNESCO as a city as beautiful as an open-air museum.
The history of development on these severe northern grounds began from the times of old. During the 9-10 century, on the river Neva there passed an ancient trading way which dates back to the time of the Greeks. During the 15th century in Saint Petersburg there were settlements of the Novgorod feudal republic. From the end of the 15th century this territory became an object of overseas claims. In the beginning of the 17th century Swedes managed to grasp the Neva coast and built a fortress at the mouth of the Ochta river. On the 1st of May 1703 during the Northern war of 1700-1721, Russian armies seized the Swedish fortress. On the 16th of May on lake Peter the Great built the fortress of Saint-Peter-Burg (later the Petropavlovskaya Fortress).
With the foundation of St. Petersburg , there emerged "the window to Europe ". There was a great struggle within Russia to find an exit to the Baltic sea . Dictatorship finished as a result of economic and political development within the country. The city was erected by hundreds and thousands of soldiers, whilst the peasants were driven out from all over Russia . The creation of St. Petersburg became a historical feat for all the Russian people. The new city grew quickly as an industrial center. Before long there were brick buildings, ship building enterprises and a large war industry. It already totaled 160 industrial enterprises. The population quickly grew to approximately 40 thousand people in 1725, to about 95 thousand people in 1750, right up to 220 thousand people in 1800. Since 1712 St. Petersburg was the capital of Russia .
The founder of Saint Petersburg was Peter the Great. It was scribed in the first stone of the Petropavlovskaya Fortress in May 16th, 1703 . This day is considered the day of the birth of the city. In 1712 Saint Petersburg became the capital of the Russian empire, the center of its political and cultural life. Peter invited the best architects, sculptors and artists to develop the unique plan and creation which is now Saint Petersburg . He wanted a city with an architectural system. The spacious squares, wide prospectuses, majestic cathedrals, and extravagent palaces of Russian aristocrats were constructed under guidance of such architects, as Trezini, Rastrelli, Rossi, Kvarengi, Monferran, Stakenschneder and others. Together they created the unique shape of St. Petersburg . The city is decorated with magnificent monuments to statesmen of Russia . Tchaikovsky, Rimsky-Korsakov, Glinka and other great Russian composers composed their masterpieces here; well-known poets and artists have also created their great works here. Treasures of Saint Petersburg include palaces. Peterhof, Tsarskoe Selo, Pavlovsk and Lomonosov are just some of the majestic summer residences of Russian tsars. A cruiser "Aurora", the Smolny institute and the Battlefield at Marsovo tell about three revolutions. Everyone knows about the 900-day blockade of Leningrad during the Second World war. More than 500,000 victims are buried in a memorial at the Piskarevsky cemetery. Now Saint Petersburg plays an extremely important role; it is the second after Moscow as the cultural, historical and the industrial center of Russia , and is also the conducting center for scientific and technical progress.
St. Petersburg - one of the most beautiful cities of the world . The majestic shape of buildings in St. Petersburg, a severe lay-out of direct streets, the spacious areas, park greens and gardens, a smooth surface of rivers and channels, architecturally made out quays, numerous bridges, beautiful fencings, outstanding products of monumental sculpture give to St. Petersburg unique, original character. St. Petersburg was built up under the regular plan. The beginnings of this city came from the open water space of Neva and the ensemble of the Petropavlovskaya fortress. Museums, historical monuments and other sights of Saint Peterburg attract many guests to the city.
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The state Hermitage and Winter palace
One of the biggest museums in the world, and has a recognized treasury of world art, was developed in 1764 on the basis of a collection owned by empress Ekaterina II. It occupies a building of the Winter Palace - a former residence of Russian emperors. The collection of the museum totals about 3 million exhibits, including masterpieces by Leonardo da Vinci, Rafael, Roden, Rembrant, Rubens, French impressionists, treasures of Ancient Egypt, the Greek and Roman sculptures, cloths by the masters of Eastern Europe- during the 19th and beginning of the 20th centuries- Russian and European porcelain, subjects in gold, and many others. The winter palace, a former residence of the imperial family, was constructed in the 18th century by an architect called Bartolomeo Rastrelli, in the style of Russian baroque.
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Russian Museum
Visitors do not stay indifferent to the richest collection of Russian painting, Totaling more than 300 thousand Russian artists' works. Masterpieces by such great iconic painters as, Andrey Rublyov and Simeon Ushakov, Brulov, Repin, Surikov, Vereschagin, Venezianov, Petrov and Serov, are also part of the collection here. The basis of the three museum buildings is the Michailovsky Palace , constructed for Great duke Michael in 1819 - 1825 (architect Rossi).
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Petropavlovskaya Fortress
The oldest monument of architecture and a chief historical sight in Saint Petersburg . Construction of this fortress begun in 1703 during the Russian-Swedish war, but it was never used as a protective construction. Bastions of the fortress transformed it into a political prison, amongst the most known prisoners who were kept there are names like Peter the Great's son prince Alexey, dutchess Tarakanova, writer Radishchev, decembrists and revolutionaries. Petropavlovsky Cathedral was constructed by architect Trezini, and served as a tomb of the Russian emperors since1725. All Russian tsars, since Peter I, are here, also buried here is the last tsar of the dynasty Romanov Nikolay II and his family, who were shot by bolsheviks after the revolution in 1917.
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Isaak Cathedral
One of the most beautiful cathedrals in the world. The fourth tallest in the world for a building with a dome (101,5 meters). Its construction was conducted over 40 years (1818 - 1858) under the instruction of architect Ogjusta Monferrana. The cathedral is interesting not only because of the architecture and technology of construction, but also because inside there are 150 pictures, 62 mosaics, and sculptures by Russian and Italian masters.
Mariinsky Theatre
The theatre was constructed in 1859 by architect A. Kavos. The theatre's name was given in honour to Alexander's wife. The theatre was opened on October 2nd, in 1860 and hosted Glinki's opera "Life for tsar". On its stage played: E.Lavrovskaja. F.Shaljapin, M.Kshesinskaja. A.Pavlova, T.Karsavina, V.Nezhinsky, M.Fokin, G.Ulanova. Today the art director for the Theatre is one of the best conductors of the world - Valery Gergiev.
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Suburbs of Saint Petersburg Peterhof
Peterhof will amaze you with its unique and complex array of fountains, Peter the Great summer palace ("Russian Versailles") and with its collection of rare works of art. The Summer imperial residence is on the gulf of Finland, 29 km in from the city. In the beginning of the 18th century, under the order Peter the Great, palaces and parks with fountains here were constructed in honour to the victory of the Russian army over the Swedes at Poltava . The highest palace fountain was created as a symbol of this victory 25 years after the fight.
Pavlovsk
Residence of Paul I family - Pavlovsk - is located 5 kms in from Pushkin (Tsarskoe Selo). In the rooms, created by architects Kameron, Voronihin and Rossi, there are the fine examples of an art of 19 centuries, pictures of Russian and European masters belonging earlier to Paul I and his family. Among them are some made by empress Maria Fedorovna.
Pushkin (Tsarskoe Selo)
The favourite residence of Ekaterina the Great and the last Russian tsar Nikolay II, is 29 km to the south Saint Petersburg . Construction began in 1717, and the park around the Palace was made in a French style. In mid 18th century Tsarskoe Selo became an official imperial residence.
The unique opportunity to see the Amber room, which was reconstructed by the best restorers in Saint Petersburg , is given to all the visitors to this palace. Near the Palace there is a Liceum where the great Russian poet Alexander Pushkin studied.
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