Sightseeing in Saint Petersburg - what to see. Complete travel guide

White Nights, drawbridges, many attractions, unique museums, and its special culture – you will find all these and more in the northern capital of Russia - Saint Petersburg. The city is often called "Venice of the North" for countless works of art beautiful, magnificent parks, gardens and monuments.

The most important tourist attractions include the Admiralty - the famous shipyard, the spire of which is visible from all parts of no less spectacular Nevsky Prospekt. The length of this street estimates 4.5 km. The State Hermitage Museum is a very important place in the cultural capital of the country. This is also the second largest museum around the world in terms of the number of exhibits. Here you will find more than 3 million items, which are located in four hundred rooms. Russian Museum, which exhibits more than 400 thousand items, is no less grandiose. It covers all periods and genres of Russian fine art. In general there are more than 170 museums in Saint Petersburg. St. Isaac's Cathedral is another unique facility. The columns, on which the church is built, go 6.5 meters down into the ground. The cathedral rises up to more than 100 meters. The Fortress of Peter and Paul is another important object of the historical part of Saint Petersburg. The city's history starts from this building. Don’t forget to visit Cabinet of Curiosities - the first museum of the city.

The cultural life of the city has always been on the rise. Sixteen famous theaters are the best evidence of this. Among them are such well-known theaters as the Opera and Ballet Theatre, the Mariinsky Theatre, Bolshoi Drama Theater, Mussorgsky Theater, and more. Saint Petersburg is the capital of culture, and life never stops here. You will need more than one week to see at least a tenth of the city’s heritage. Copyright www.orangesmile.com

Peterhof Palace is the best recognizable architectural landmark. The chic imperial residence was laid out in the early 18th century on the orders of Peter the Great. During the Second World War, this luxurious architectural ensemble was destroyed almost completely. However, it was restored in the shortest possible time. Today, its visitors admire the chic palaces, fountains and sculptural compositions. In summer, the territory of Peterhof is decorated with fabulous landscape compositions.

An interesting landmark is the Peter I Lodge built in the 18th century. It became the first residential building on the territory of the new city. It was here that the Russian emperor lived during the foundation of St. Petersburg. According to one of the legends, the house for the emperor was built by skilled carpenters in just three days. In 1930, a fascinating museum was opened in this miniature building. Among its exhibits are personal belongings of the emperor.

The most beautiful historical building houses the State Russian Museum, whose opening took place in the 19th century during the reign of Nicholas II. It presents a rich collection of unique art exhibits. Some of them have been presented to the museum by families of local aristocrats. Everyone who admires the works of Aivazovsky, Bryullov, and Repin, as well as other outstanding Russian artists of the 18th and 19th centuries, can be interested in visiting the museum.

Kazan Cathedral is considered to be the main Orthodox church in St. Petersburg. It keeps a unique religious relic - an ancient icon of the Kazan Mother of God. The building of the cathedral is an outstanding monument in Empire style. It looks more like a magnificent palace rather than a church. The huge cathedral with a green dome has a chic interior design. Its icons and murals have been written by the best artists.

The Smolny Monastery has an interesting history, as well. It represents a huge architectural value. The elegant white building of the monastery was constructed according to the project of B.Rastrelli. They started construction in the 18th century and had been continuing for 87 years. The cathedral located on the territory of the monastery was one of the richest in the city at the time of its opening. However, in the Soviet period, it lost all its values. For a long time, the monastery was in desolation. Nowadays, a concert hall operates within its walls.