Highlights

The Alexander Nevsky Lavra

Laid out in the building of the Church of the Annunciation, the 18th century Necropolis with the St Lazarus Sepulchre and a necropolis of prominent figures of Russian art, the Alexander Nevsky Lavra's Necropolis can be regarded as a veritable Russian pantheon.

In the Lavra there are three cemeteries which were named after the churches erected there. These are the St Lazarus (Lazarevskoye) Cemetery, the Tikhvinskoye Cemetery and the St Nickolas (Nikolskoye) Cemetery.

St.Isaac's Cathedral

St.Isaac's Cathedral is remarkable monument of Russian architecture. This grand structure filled up the space of the Senate Square, and created a new square as well. Alongside with the Peter and Paul's Cathedral and the Admiralty it became an important architectural landmark in the city outline. The golden dome of St.Isaac's can be seen from any part of the city, and in clear weather - even from the suburbs. The Church of Christ's Resurrection (The Savior on Blood) From the Kazansky bridge, in Griboyedov Canal perspective the Church of Christ's Resurrection (The Savior on Blood) can be seen. It was put up to commemorate the tsar-martyr on the site where on March 1, 1881, I.Grinevitsky, a member of the People's Will society, mortally wounded Emperor Alexander II

The church was put up with the money collected all over Russia. Architecturally it revives the traditions of the 17th-century Russian church-building. In particular, the compositional techniques and shapes used are similar to those characteristic of the famous Pokrovsky Cathedral (Church of St. Basil the Blessed), that stands in Red Square in Moscow. The church stands out for its complicated and picturesque outline, as well as rich and multicolored decoration.

The Peter and Paul Fortress

The Peter and Paul Fortress is architectural and historical center of Saint-Petersburg. The fortress was designed to protect the Neva lands that were won from the Swedes during the Northern War (1700 - 21). Its powerful stone walls rising almost out of the water, and the cathedral spire soaring into the skies, make up a unique view opening from afar as a part of the wide Neva panorama.

Admiralty

The Main Admiralty building is an outstanding sample of Russian and world architecture, a major achievement of the early classical art. The Admiralty is the architectural and compositional center of St. Petersburg. Three main thoroughfares of the city converge here - Nevsky Prospekt, Voznesensky (Resurrection) Prospekt and Gorokhovaya Street.

Kazan Cathedral

The Cathedral of Our Lady of Kazan is an outstanding example of the early 19th-century Russian architecture. It was erected on the site of a small stone church to hold the ancient icon of Our Lady of Kazan, and was named after it. The importance of the Cathedral of Our Lady of Kazan as a memorial to the heroes of the Patriotic War is emphasized by the monuments to Field-Marshals M.Kutuzov and Barclay de Tolli put up in front of it in 1837.

Peterhof

The Peterhof is the world-famous palace, fountain and park ensemble of Peterhof is an outstanding landmark of Russian artistic culture of the 18-19th centuries. Founded in the very beginning of the eighteenth century by Emperor Peter the Great not far from his new northern capital St Petersburg, Peterhof was intended to become the most splendid official royal summer residence.

Credit for its creation should go to a great number of eminent architects, artists, and anonymous folk craftsmen. Its wonderful parks, 176 fountains of various forms and styles and four cascades, majestic palaces, numerous gilded statues of ancient gods and heroes, remarkable collections of sculpture, painting and works of the minor arts make Peterhof a veritable gem of art, often called "Capital of Fountains", unique in the world.

Pushkin (Tsarskoe selo)

Originally, these lands belonged to Peter's wife Catherine I. A modest palace was put up for her at the beginning of the 18th century (named Catherine's Palace after her), which was later redecorated by F.-B. Rastrelli for Elizabeth I in the baroque style. Later it was the favorite summer residence of Catherine the Great (ruled 1762 - 1796), redecorated for her by the Scottish architect Charles Cameron in the classical style. Still, the palace retained its baroque exterior and that is one of the most beautiful palaces in the world! You won't be able to find palaces of this kind anywhere outside Russia. Inside, you'll find both pompous baroque and elegant classical interiors.