Vacations in St. Petersburg
Introduction to St. Petersburg
St. Petersburg is very much a 18th century grand style cosmopolitan cities with baroque and classical architecture nominates. It was to be the world’s most beautiful city, and the capital of its largest empire by its designer, Peter the Great, Czar of All of Russia. Peter I had inherited a vast and promising states but wanted Russia to be modernized. Hence he decided a new capital on Neva River, by the nickname “Window to the West”, founded with a mixture of German, French and Italian architects on 1703. It has remained as capital for Russian Empire for more than 200 years.
Peter I had used tremendous energy and effort to modernize St. Petersburg. Millions of peasants were ordered to clear forest and the drain swamp areas. Wooden piling were thrown into the mud to provide firm foundations and Peter and Paul Fortress was built to guard the river mouth. The result? A breath taking, classical cityscape with many quality and superb individual buildings. St. Petersburg is a Canal city, modeled on cities in the Netherlands. It consists of over 40 islands that are further subdivided by about 100 small canals.
Sight of Attractions in St. Petersburg
Rastrelli’s Palace (Winter Palace)
The official royal residence for the Tsars built in an impressive baroque design boast 1,057 rooms, 1,945 windows and 117 staircases. It was built by the order of Peter I’ daughter Elizabeth by her favorite architect Rastrelli. Winter palace is the main building of the State Hermitage. One of the worlds’ finest art collections is housed in the palace.
State Hermitage / Hermitage Museum
It occupies six magnificent buildings situated along the Palace Embankment along the River Neva, right in the heart of St. Petersburg. This largest and oldest museum in the world was founded in 1764. It houses nearly 3000 paintings, arts and artifacts, inclusive of collections of Leonardo Da Vinci, Raphael, Titian and Rembrandt. This attraction is not to miss if you are traveling to St. Petersburg for vacation.
Peterhof Palace (Summer Palace) is situated in a 300 acre park and complimented by a series of spectacular fountains. This 300 acres park is known as Summer Garden. Marbles sculptures and fountains situated in the Upper Garden and Lower Garden created spectacular views. The palace itself has no heating system and is meant for summer stay.
Nearby is the Catherine Palace honoring Peter the Great’s wife who succeeded him as a ruler. The palace was designed by genius Italian Bartolomeo Rastrelli, but the interior was extensively decorated by a Scottish architect. The distinctive blue color on the ornate has made this palace truly a memorable experience in your holiday to St. Petersburg.
The Smolny Cathedral in impressive blue and white color and five baroque palaces that Rastrelli designed had brought him the name of “Rastrelli The Magnificent”.
Between Winter Palace and Army headquarters, the Monument to Alexander I commemorates his part in the defeat of Napoleon’s invasion in 1812. This square was the scene of the Bloody Sunday massacre which took place in 1905, where a peaceful protest march turned into slaughter by soldiers.
St. Isaac Cathedral
Chief among the city church is the St. Isaac Cathedral, faced in marbles and crowned with a giant dome. It is also the largest church in all of Russia. Nearby is the bronze monument to Peter and his vision. The Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul within the fortress is the burial ground for the royal family, most notable is tomb of Peter the Great.
Church of the Savior on the Spilled Blood. It refers to the death of Jesus on the cross, but it also marks the place where Czar Alexander II was murdered. This Czar Liberator was killed in his carriage by terrorist bombing. This ruined carriage can be seen at Catherine Palace.
Kazan Cathedral was built in 1801. The cathedral is modeled on St. Peters in Rome. Kazan Cathedral is the iconic symbol of Christianity.
Rostral Column was designed in 19th century to mark the inner port area. It was designed to resemble ancient lighthouses and in fact also serves as signal tower for ships.