Incoming Tourism

CITY TOUR IN ST. PETERSBURG

In 1703 was founded St. Petersburg. The Russian Tsar Peter I "opened a window to Europe", which gave the country access to the Baltic Sea. Since 1712, St. Petersburg became the capital of the Russian state, there were transferred to all organs of state power.

The main street of the city is the Nevsky Prospect. In St. Petersburg, there are a large number of magnificent architectural ensembles built by known architects. St. Petersburg is widely known for the Palace Square with the Winter Palace and the General Staff building, Isaac and Kazan cathedrals, Peter and Paul Fortress, the Admiralty and the arrow of Vasilevsky Island. Symbols of St. Petersburg were sphinxes on the University Embankment and   the monument to Peter I - "The Bronze Horseman". In Soviet times, a recognizable symbol became the cruiser Aurora.

SIGHTSEEINGS OF ST. PETERSBURG

RUSSIAN MUSEUM

The State Russian Museum has the world's largest collection of Russian art. It opened in 1898 and became Russia's first state museum of Russian art. Russian Museum collections comprise about 400 000 exhibits. They are the product of all the major trends and schools of domestic art, all of its forms and genres with the X in the twentieth century.

Russian Museum has a rich collection of ancient art, among which are the works of Pskov, Novgorod, Rostov-Suzdal Masters XVI-XV centuries. Russian Museum has two icons of Andrei Rublev, written by him in 1408 for the Assumption Cathedral in Vladimir, as well as seeds of Ushakov: The Holy Face, "" Trinity, "" Our Lady of Vladimir."

Collection of paintings 18th century brought the famous works of I. Argunova, F. Rokotov, D. Levitsky and V. Borovikovsky, collection of paintings 19th century - works by Carl Briullov, Kiprensky O., I. Aivazovsky, P. Fedotov, V. Tropinin and many others.

HERMITAGE

The State Hermitage Museum - the most famous museum of St. Petersburg, one of the most famous museums in the world, such as the Louvre and the Metropolitan.

This consists of six buildings constructed in the XVIII-XIX centuries, the most significant of which - the Winter Palace - the former imperial residence.

The Winter Palace was built from 1754 to 1762 by order of Peter the Great's daughter Elizabeth as the official royal residence. Author of the project - a prominent architect of the Baroque Francesco Bartolommeo Rastrelli. The date of the museum's foundation is 1764 - the date of acquisition of Empress Catherine II the collection of Flemish and Dutch paintings (225 pictures).

The collection of antiquities in the Hermitage has more than 106.000 objects representing the culture and art of ancient Greece, ancient Italy and Rome, the ancient colonies of the Northern Black Sea coast. The earliest of them date back to III millennium BC, the latest date from the IV. BC.

The prides of the collection are works of great masters of the Renaissance: Leonardo da Vinci, Raphael, Giorgione and Titian. In Russia, only the Hermitage has paintings by Leonardo da Vinci, two of the extant paintings: the Madonna with a Flower "and" Madonna Litta. Raphael is also represented by two works - "Conestabile Madonna" and "Holy Family".

Extremely rich collection of paintings XVII-XVIII consists of paintings by Caravaggio M., A. Carracci, Reni G., L. Giordano, Dzh.B.Tepolo. Leading painters of Flanders - Peter Paul Rubens, Anthony van Dyck, Jacob Jordaens, Frans Snyders exhibited in the halls of the New Hermitage.

Collection of French art of XIX - XX centuries, there are about 250 paintings, is considered one of the best in the world. It includes seven works by one of the founders of Impressionism Claude Monet, the six paintings by Renoir, including the famous "Portrait of Actress Jeanne Samari; landscapes C. Pizarro, A. Sisley, Degas paintings, a variety of genre paintings by Cezanne P. , of Paul Gauguin, relating mainly to Tahiti period, works by V. Van Gogh.

ST. ISAAC'S CATHEDRAL

St. Isaac's Cathedral - an outstanding monument of Russian architecture of the XIX century and one of the world's great domed buildings, which is second in size only St. Peter's in Rome and St. Paul in London and St. Mary Florence.

The grandeur of this temple is determined by its size: the height of 101.5 m length of 111.2 meters, width 97.6 m. It can accommodate 12000 people. Cathedral - one of the landmarks of St. Petersburg and the second tallest building after Peter and Paul Cathedral.
       Grandeur and beauty of the interior of the temple is simply amazing: the numerous paintings, sculptures, mosaics, precious stones and gilding.
In the church kept the precious relics: the Life-giving Tree of the Cross with the Lord and the relics of St. Andrew, sent in 1833 as a gift to the Holy Synod of the Jerusalem Patriarch Athanasius and the Holy Face image of the Savior, which belonged to Peter the Great.

KUNSTCAMERA  CABINET OF CURIOSITIES

Kunstcamera was laid in 1718 on the orders of Peter the Great. In 1725 had not yet completed it was transferred to the Academy of Sciences. Later, around the tower on the lower tier was undeveloped bypass gallery, and the dome of the tower was topped by a sphere.

In 1727, in the still unfinished building of the Cabinet of Curiosities were relocated library and a large Gottorp Globe placed  in the third floor above the hall, rotunda of the anatomical theater. It also housed an observatory and a library of the Academy of Sciences.

These were also translated a collection assembled by Peter I "monsters and rarities". In November 1728 there was opened Russia's first natural-science museum, called Kunstkamera. The most famous exhibits of the museum is a collection of objects alcoholized by anatomist Ruysch.

PETER AND PAUL FORTRESS

  Founded by Peter the Great in 1703, and then built by the architect Domenico Trezzini fortress served for military purpose. During the construction of this fortress is applied entirely new for Russia, the principle of fortifications. Constructed bastions, the thickness of the walls of which about 20 meters, height of 12 meters. Under the walls of the fortress were culled about 40,000 piles. On each bastion were installed of 50-60 guns. The walls between the bastions include casemates for the content of the garrison.

Peter and Paul Cathedral is one of the oldest churches in St. Petersburg. By order of Peter the Great the Peter and Paul Cathedral began to build by the bell tower, which served as a lookout point.

Already under Peter I the Peter and Paul Cathedral became the burial place for members of the royal family. In 1715 there was buried the wife of Tsarevich Alexei, in 1717 - the sister of Peter I, Mary A., in 1718 - Tsarevich Alexei. After the death of Peter I in 1725 the coffin with his embalmed body was 6 years among the walls of the unfinished cathedral. Later, near the coffin with the body of his wife Catherine. In 1731 upon completion of construction of the temple of Peter I and Catherine was buried near the southern wall of the altar. The last burial in the Peter and Paul Cathedral was held in 1998, when Catherine limit transferred the remains of Nicholas II and his family.

YUSUPOV PALACE

At the beginning of the XVIII century on the banks of Moika river located mansion of the niece of Peter I Praskovia Ioannovna. In 1830 the palace bought Boris Yusupov.

For the Yusupov Palace was rebuilt in 1830-1838, respectively. Palace wings were united, there were placed art galleries and home theater. In the palace were built Banquet Hall with 24 columns, Ballroom, Green, Imperial Blue and living room, large rotunda. In the eastern annex was established theater. In the suite of rooms leading to the theater, an art gallery housed Yusupov. Yusupov Palace interiors created by Italian craftsmen.

December 16, 1916 in the walls of the palace of Prince Felix Yusupov murdered Grigory Rasputin.
Currently in the halls of the palace is a museum dedicated to the noble life Yusupov family. Here again it hosts an exhibition "The Assassination of Grigory Rasputin."

PETERHOF

Founded at the beginning of the XVIII century by Emperor Peter I near the new northern capital - St. Petersburg, Peterhof was supposed to be the most splendid royal summer residence. Work on the creation of a new residence had been held with stunning swiftness. Already in August 1723 was the grand opening of Peterhof. By this time, was laid out Lower Park, Sea Canal was dug, operated part of the fountains, and built palaces, "Mon Plaisir" and "Marley" and the Upper Chamber.

Lower Park was laid on the model of suburban residence of the French King Louis XIV at Versailles in the then fashionable French style, called regular. Author, to define the basis of the composition of Peterhof and its further development was Peter I.

Center of the Peterhof ensemble is the Great Palace - residence of Russian emperors. Magnificent three-story building with galleries and terraces stretching along nearly three hundred meters. At Peterhof worked such great architects as Rastrelli, J. Velten, Zh.Vallen de la Mothe.
The Great Palace is a historical and art museums in the collections of which are pieces of furniture, paintings, textiles and porcelain.

PAVLOVSK

Pavlovsk - an outstanding palace and park ensemble in the late 18 - early 19 th century.
The village of Pavlovsk was given by Catherine II of a young couple of Grand Duke Paul Petrovich and Grand Duchess Maria Feodorovna.

Pavlovsky Palace was created by Charles Cameron in the 80 years of 18 century. After the entry of Paul I to the throne  Pavlovsk became suburban imperial residence.

Dominant position in the park occupies the Pavlovsk Palace, which is visible from all the remote parts of the park. Charles Cameron built it in the form of an Italian country villa with its crowning dome, and to the main building adjacent to an open colonnade.

In the center of the front yard in 1872, a monument was erected Paul I. This composition is very similar to the square in front of the palace at Versailles, with a monument to Louis IV.

In the interiors of the palace there is a large collection of paintings and sculptures. This collection of travel-related to royal families of Europe in 1781-1782. From these trips were brought paintings, furniture, fabrics, china sets, antique sculptures, and many gifts from the royal courts of Europe.

TSARSKOE SELO

Museum-Preserve "The Tsarskoe Selo" - an outstanding example of world architecture and landscape architecture. Architects, sculptors and painters 18-20 age translate into reality the ideas and wishes of the royal court.

The history of Tsarskoe Selo begins in 1717, when Catherine, the wife of Peter I, erected a small palace for relaxing after a hunt. And in the middle of the XVIII century, with Empress Elizabeth, Tsarskoe Selo became this grand imperial residence, adorned with magnificent palaces and picturesque parks.

Center of the ensemble is the Catherine Palace, made by Rastrelli in the Russian baroque style. Admire the luxury of the Great Hall of the palace, White front and cavalry canteens, and the suite of state rooms, including world-famous "Amber Room".

An integral part of an ensemble of Tsarskoe Selo is its parks - the Catherine and Alexander the total area of 300 hectares. In the parks are more than 100 architectural monuments - the palaces and pavilions, bridges and numerous sculptures.

From 1811 to 1843 years in Tsarskoe Selo was the Imperial Lyceum, where educated, the Great Russian poet Alexander Pushkin.