St Petersburg Tourism

History of St. Petersburg

The second-largest city of Russia after capital Moscow was once the capital of Imperial Russia in the 18th century, shortly after its foundation was laid by Tsar Peter the Great in 1703. As Leningrad, the city underwent one of the most significant sieges of history. The Siege of Leningrad by Nazi Germany and their allies went on for almost 900 days. Recently it came under much limelight as well, St. Petersburg stadium being one of the venues of FIFA World Cup 2018.

Famous Food in St. Petersburg

Russians love to binge on calorie-rich dishes and wash it down with hearty portions of desserts. Beef Stroganoff, originated in the 19th century, primarily made of beef pieces and sour cream sauce with vegetables. Savoury pancakes , Borscht, Pirozhki, and Shchi are other popular dishes to try in the city. Local wine and Russian Vodka remain favourite choice to wet your whistle.

Major Festivals in St. Petersburg

White Nights Festival is an annual celebration of art and crafts. People in Saint Petersburg celebrates events and festivities in a grand and vibrant way and rejoice merrily during the celebration. They celebrate the Great Battle of Waterloo festival wherein the whole scene is re-enacted at the very same place where the actual battle had taken place.

Museums in St. Petersburg

Staying true to its heritage, the city of St. Petersburg offers some of the best museums to explore. The Hermitage Museum is the greatest of them all, standing along the Neva River. To know the history of perhaps the biggest and most tragic event of the city, visit the Museum of Defence and Siege of Leningrad. Those interested in Russian literature must visit the Dostoevsky Museum, and for art lovers, the State Russian Museum awaits with more than 400,000 art collections of the medieval times.

Cathedrals and churches of St Petersburg

Medieval and contemporary cathedrals make up a huge part of St. Petersburg tour. The striking Church of the Saviour on the Spilled Blood is a feast for the eyes, while St Isaac’s Cathedral is a reward for the artistic mind. Kazan, Nikolsky, Trinity and St Peter and Paul’s are important additions to St. Petersburg tourism.

1. The Hermitage Museum

Hermitage Museum is the crown jewel of the city’s tourism. This St. Petersburg museum is the world’s second-largest collection of art and antiquity, initially founded on the basis of Empress Catherine’s personal art collection back in 1764. Within the museum complex, the restored Winter Palace is the most distinct architecture, being the residence of the Tsars until 1917.

2. Mariinsky Theatre

The St Petersburg counterpart of Moscow’s Bolshoi, the Mariinsky Theatre is unmatched in its cultural importance. Over the years it has been the stage of multiple plays, opera, and ballet masterpieces. From 1860 to this date, this theatre has been the cradle of culture in St Petersburg.

3. Peterhof Palace

Overlooking the Gulf of Finland, the great Peterhof Palace built by Peter the Great was the summer residence of the Romanovs for centuries. The baroque architecture, complete with a gilded exterior and the beautiful garden makes this a chief attraction of St. Petersburg tourism.

4. St Isaac’s Cathedral and Colonnade

In a fairly low-rising St Petersburg, the golden dome of St Isaac’s Cathedral dominates the skyline. The interior of this grand European Empire-style architecture is as grand as its exterior. Precious stones from all around Russia were brought together to set up the insides. The cathedral holds no masses anymore, so it is open as a museum for the public to cherish the marble and lapis lazuli. To catch a glimpse of the entire archaic city, climb the 300-something steps to get to the colonnade.

5. The Church of the Saviour on Blood

The Church of the Saviour on Spilled Blood, also known as the Church of Resurrection, looks like a palace straight out of a fantasy book. Located by the Griboyedov canal, the church gets its name from the fact that Tsar Alexander II was assassinated right in the same spot. The insides are as exuberant as the outside, covered in bright mosaics and displaying a vivid collection.

Shopping in St. Petersburg

As most of the shops have location in the historical center, shopping in St. Petersburg is quite fun. For, one can enjoy the sightseeing of architectural wonders and purchase some amazing clothing and other items from the exquisite spots simultaneously. For an exhaustive indulgence in a shopping spree, visitors are recommended to visit Bolshoy Prospect of Petrograd Side and Nevsky Prospect housing some chic and luxury brands, while Galeria and Gostiny Dvor are recommended if one wants to do some budget shopping. However, if one wants to buy souvenirs in St. Petersburg, then they can explore markets near the Church of the Savior on Spilled Blood or some imperial porcelain factory shops, and let the memories of this tour prevail for a longer duration.