Vip Tourism

Saint Petersburg, introduction Information:

Saint Petersburg (Russian Sankt Peterburg), second largest city and largest seaport in Russia, located in the northwestern part of the country, at the head of the Gulf of Finland (an arm of the Baltic Sea). The capital of Russia for two centuries (1712-1918), Saint Petersburg is one of the most beautiful cities in Europe, noted for its lavish palaces and grand cathedrals. It is also a major rail junction and an industrial, cultural, and scientific center. The city is located on both banks of the Neva River and on a number of river islands. Saint Petersburg has been renamed three times since its founding. Construction of the city began in 1703, ordered by Russian tsar (later emperor) Peter the Great, who named it Saint Petersburg after his patron saint. After World War I broke out in 1914, the city's Germanic name was changed to Petrograd. In 1924, upon the death of Soviet leader Vladimir Lenin, its name was changed to Leningrad. Finally, in June 1991, six months before the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR) officially dissolved and Russia emerged as an independent country, the city reverted to its original name.

Saint Petersburg, history Information:

The Saint Petersburg region was originally inhabited by Swedes. It was conquered by Russia during the Great Northern War (1700-1721) fought between Sweden and a coalition of countries led by Russia. In 1703 Russian tsar Peter the Great chose a site on Zayachy Island in the Neva River and began the construction of the Peter and Paul Fortress, named after the two saints. Although the site was cold, damp, and poorly protected, Peter was determined to build a new capital in the Neva delta to replace Moscow, which had served as Russia's capital since the origins of the Russian state in the 1300s. Peter wanted an outlet to the Baltic Sea and intended to make Saint Petersburg a modern, Western-style city that would serve as Russia's “window on Europe.” Although the fortress was originally a primitive earthen structure, stone was brought in when construction of the city began. Saint Petersburg was built at great human cost. Hunger and cold killed nearly 100,000 people during the first years of its construction. The imperial capital—including the Russian court, the Senate, and the foreign embassies—was moved to the new city in 1712. Peter and the rulers after him commissioned Dutch and Italian architects to build the city's beautiful palaces, and an influx of Western scholars and artisans helped make Saint Petersburg a cultural as well as political center. Saint Petersburg was at the forefront of Russia's industrialization, which began in the late 19th century. The first steamships and the opening of the Moscow-Saint Petersburg railway line in 1851 provided the impetus for the growth of the city's industry, which by 1900 included more than 100 metallurgical factories. A new port was constructed in 1885, expanding the city's potential for international trade. During the boom of the 1890s the number of banks in Saint Petersburg, including those owned by foreigners, grew rapidly.

Saint Petersburg, metropolitan area Information:

Located in the Neva River delta, Saint Petersburg spreads over the mainland and 42 river islands and is divided by more than 60 river branches and 20 canals. A 32-km (20-mi) stretch of the Neva flows within the city's boundaries. More than 300 bridges connect the various parts of the city that are separated by waterways. While the city proper occupies about 600 sq km (about 230 sq mi), the entire Saint Petersburg metropolitan area covers about 1500 sq km (about 580 sq mi). Saint Petersburg proper is divided into 21 administrative districts, including 5 suburbs. Most of the city's industry is located on the outskirts of the city. The dockyards are to the west, along the Gulf of Finland. The commercial areas are in the city center, close to Nevsky Prospekt, the stylish shopping boulevard famous for its magnificent buildings and large department stores. Situated on the south bank of the Neva and circumscribed to the east and south by the Fontanka River is the Admiralty district, the hub of the city, where the main avenues of central Saint Petersburg come together. The district houses the Admiralty fortress and dockyard, which was a shipyard before it became part of a naval college in 1925. Upriver from the fortress is Palace Square, where the ornate Winter Palace (built in 1762)—the winter residence of Russia's former imperial rulers—is located. The Winter Palace now houses the world-famous Hermitage Museum. Directly across from the Admiralty district is Vasilevsky Island, the largest of all the islands in the Neva and home of the Naval Museum.

Saint Petersburg, economy Information:

During the Soviet period, when the country had a centrally planned economy, Saint Petersburg's major enterprises were all owned and controlled by the state. When the Soviet Union collapsed in 1991, many of these enterprises began to privatize. Converting the city's inefficient operations into potentially profitable businesses has been a lengthy and expensive process, especially since Saint Petersburg had an outdated industrial base at the time the Soviet Union dissolved. However, as a major port and industrial center, Saint Petersburg's role in the national economy has increased significantly since Russia lost the use of the ports of the Baltic states, which had been part of the Soviet Union. Saint Petersburg is a leading producer of modern heavy machinery, including turbines, turbo-generators, tractors, excavators, and nuclear-powered equipment. Among its other industrial products are electrical equipment, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, textiles, tobacco, furniture, and paper. Saint Petersburg also has a major shipbuilding industry that produces tankers, fish-processing ships, and icebreakers.

Saint Petersburg, population Information:

The population of Saint Petersburg proper (1999 estimate) was 4,695,400. Following significant population growth in the 1960s—a period of marked industrial expansion—the city's annual growth rate slowed considerably in the 1970s and 1980s. Stagnant population growth has been a trend in Russia's urban areas and is attributable to such factors as a drop in the country's birth rate and a rise in the mortality rate due to declining health standards. A slight decline in the city's population in recent years is linked to a drop in economic productivity and increased unemployment rate among city residents. Ever since its founding, Saint Petersburg has been a multinational city. Although Russians constitute the dominant ethnic group (about 92 percent of the population), the city also has significant numbers of Ukrainians (about 3 percent of the population), followed by Jews (considered a separate ethnic group in Russia), Belarusians, and Tatars. The main religion is Russian Orthodox Christianity, but Roman Catholics, Jews, and Muslims are also well represented in the city. As in other large Russian cities, the primary spoken language is Russian.

Saint Petersburg, education and culture Information:

Saint Petersburg is the home of Saint Petersburg University (established in 1819), about 200 scientific institutes, and more than 40 colleges. Among the city's numerous libraries are the Russian National Library (formerly the M. E. Saltykov-Shchedrin Public Library; founded in 1795) and the Library of the Academy of Sciences (built from 1783 to 1789), one of the oldest scientific establishments in Saint Petersburg. As a leading cultural center, Saint Petersburg has inspired great works of literature by Russian authors such as Aleksandr Pushkin, Fyodor Dostoyevsky, Ivan Turgenev, and Nikolay Gogol. The city is also a thriving center for dance, music, and theater. Ever since the first school of Russian ballet opened in the city in 1738, it has been the center of Russian classical dance. The Mariinsky Opera and Ballet Theater (known as the Kirov from 1935 to 1991) has been the home of some of Russia's most famous dancers, including Rudolph Nureyev and Mikhail Baryshnikov. Among the composers who spent their lives in Saint Petersburg are Peter Tchaikovsky and Dmitry Shostakovich. Shostakovich's famous Seventh Symphony was premiered in 1942 at the Shostakovich Philharmonia Concert Hall, where today world-famous musicians appear regularly. The Pushkin Dramatic Theater is known for its classical and modern drama productions, while the Theater of Musical Comedy is highly regarded for its original repertoire. Saint Petersburg celebrates music and arts during a week-long festival held in midsummer.

Saint Petersburg, recreation Information:

There are many parks and gardens in Saint Petersburg and its metropolitan area. The Catherine Palace at Petrodvorets is surrounded by parks that are famous for their pools and fountains; the parks at Pushkin rank among the finest creations of Russian gardening. Within the city proper are the Summer Gardens, located outside the Summer Palace; the Botanical Gardens, with an English-style park; and the enormous parks on the islands of Krestovsky and Elagin. Saint Petersburg is also home to a zoo, a planetarium, the Yubilieny Sports Palace, and the Kirov Stadium, which seats 80,000 people.

MUSEUMS AND EXCURSIONS

City tour

During this tour you will the major attractions of the city, the tour starts from the hotel where the tourists have accommodation. The guests of the city will see the splendid architectural ensembles that formed the world - wide fame of St Petersburg as one of the most beautiful cities of the world. Here we give you a list of principal sight you will see during the city tour- Nevskiy prospect, the oldest and the main street of the city. Palace Square with the Winter Palace- the former Imperial residence, the Peter - and Paul Fortress, the first building of St. Petersburg, the Admiralty and the Summer Garden, the Alexander Nevskiy monastery, St. Isaac's Cathedral, Rostrum Columns, Vassilievsky island, cruiser Aurora, Smolnyj Cathedral and many others.

St. Isaac's Cathedral

St. Isaac's Cathedral is the largest church in St, Petersburg is designed in Russian empire style between 1818 and 1858, it covers 2 1/2 acres. Built by Auguste Monferrand, made of granite and marble, in the shape of the cross with an enormous guilt dome from which opens an excellent view of the city and the river spreads out in front of you. The Cathedral is 101,5 meters high, with a floor space of 3250 square meters, and walls 2,5 to 5 meters thick. It rests on 10762 tarred pinewood piles, Each of the four facades has large porticoes of twelve granite columns each 6 meters high and weighting 2,4 tons. The walls have marble facing inside and outside. Decoration took 10 years and a vast amount of precious materials - 400 kilograms of gold, 16 tons of malachite, a great stock of lapis lazuli, porphyry and many-coloured marble and guild bronze. The best artist craftsmen made sparkling wall mosaics over 6500 square meters. Now St, Isaac's Cathedral serves as a museum of itself and only once a year on Easter it serves as a church. Open: 11.00 - 18.00. Closed on WED.

Hermitage Museum

The Hermitage museum is one of the greatest museums in the world like Prado, Louvre, or National Gallery. The origins of this great museum go back to early 18th century, but the official foundation date is 1764 when a large collection was acquired in Europe and placed in the Winter Palace the winter residence of Russian tsars. Until the middle of the 19th century the Hermitage held the private collection of the tsars and few outsiders had access to it. During the last 50 years the collection has been more than tripled, and now consists of well over 2 million items. It occupies more than a thousand rooms and halls, and spreads through 4 different buildings. The Hermitage museum collection consists of 6 departments: Russian culture from the 7th to 20th century. Prehistoric culture. Oriental culture and art. Antique culture and art of Greece and ancient Rome, West European Art, Russian and foreign medals, badges and decorations. Open: 10.30 - 17.00, SUN till 16.00. Closed on MON.

Summer Garden

This park was laid out in 1704 and soon became the site for official receptions, assambleys (parties), they celebrated here Russia's military victories over Sweden. It was the first formal garden in Russia adorned by numerous marble statues and busts brought from Italy by Peter I. The Summer Garden is one of St.Petersburg's favorite places of relaxation.

The Russian Museum
(State museum of Russian art)

The State Russian Museum is the world's largest museum of Russian art. It is located in the very center of St Petersburg, just of the city's central magisterial, Nevsky Prospekt. The Russian museum was established in 1888 and named after Alexander III. The museum is housed in four palaces located in the historical center of St. Petersburg. Together, these buildings present a retrospective panorama of Russian architecture - Baroque (Stroganov Palace), early and late Neoclassicism (Marble Palace, St. Michael's Palace). In our days the collection of the Russian Museum numbers some 400,000 works and covers the entire history of Russian fine art from the tenth century to the present day. It reflects virtually every form and genre of art in Russia, including a unique collection of Old Russian icons, works of painting, graphic art and sculpture, decorative and applied art, folk art and numismatics, as well as the world's finest collection of Russian avant-garde. Open: 10.00 - 17.00, MON till 16.00. Closed on TUE.

The Peter - and - Paul Fortress

The Peter - and Paul Fortress is both the architectural and historical centre of St. Petersburg. The Fortress was designed to protect the Neva lands that were won form the Swedes during the Northern War (1700 - 1721). Peter the Great built the Fortress that formed the nucleus of St. Petersburg in 1703. originally the Fortress was constructed to defend young capital of the Russian Empire, but soon the Fortress lost it's military importance. The main attraction of the Fortress is Peter - and Paul Cathedral which was the main Cathedral in Russian empire tilt 1858, the Cathedral is a great sample of Russian architecture, in the Cathedral is a royal sepulchre of all Russian emperors beginning from Peter the Great till Nicolas II, From the end of 18th century the fortress lost its military importance and became the first prison for political offenders in Russia. Open: 11.00 - 17.00. Closed on WED and on the last TUE of every month.

Saviour-On-The-Blood Church

The Saviour-on-the-Blood was built between 1887 and 1907 to mark the spot where Alexander II was mortally wounded by a bomb thrown by a member of the "People's will" revolutionary movement on March 1, 1881. The canal has been narrowed so that the altar stands exactly where the royal blood stained the pavement. The Church's unique decorations, both interior and exterior, include icons and panels made from majolica and mosaic created by the leading Russian artists of the last century. The Church was closed for more than 80 years and was newly opened to visitors only in 1997. Open: 11.00 - 18.00. Closed on WED.

Alexandro-Nevskaya Laura

The monastery founded by Peter I in 1710 to commemorate Novgorodian Prince Alexander Nevsky who defeated the Swedes in 1240 on the Neva river side and was canonized by Russian Orthodox church. In 1797 the Monastery was given the title of Laura, the highest rank of Orthodox monasticism. The Monastery complex comprises the Tikhvin and Lazarus cemeteries where the outstanding figures of Russian culture as Dostoevsky and Tchaikovsky are buried. Open: 10.00 - 17.00. Closed on THU.

Yussupov Palace

Yussupov Palace was a mansion of the Yussupov Family, one of the richest families in Russia, here in Yussupov palace one the most influence people of the beginning of 20th century Grigorij Rasputin was killed by Felix Yussupov the special exhibition in the palace shows this page of the Russian History.

Menshikov Palace

The palace of Peter's associate Alexander Menshikov is not only oldest but also one of the largest stone buildings of St. Petersburg in the beginning of 18th century. Alexander Menshikov, royal favourite, first governor of the conquered lands, which late became the St. Petersburg Goubenia was the first to built himself a palatial mansion of brick and tile. Son of a court groom, Menshikov was marked for valour. Common sense and a brilliant organising gift. Semi - literate he was Russia's second - mightiest ruler after the tsar. When Peter made his best friend a gift of the big Vassilevsky island opposite to the Admiralty, Menshikov desired to build himself a Palace, which survived to this day, and regained its original look in the 1970s, now housing an excellent museum of the Petrine era.

Dostoevsky Literary Memorial Museum

The museum is located in writer's flat, and is devoted to his life and work. In the apartment there are a lot of photos, drawings and documents telling about Dostoevsky's life, his literary heritage, his impact on the world's culture. Open: 11.00 - 18.00 Closed on MON and the last WED of every month

Boat Trip "Along The Rivers And Canals"

Starting on the Moika river, the tour will take you to see the palaces and mansions on the banks of some of the 66 rivers and canals of this "Northern Venice" – the Winter Palace, Sheremetiev's, Stroganov's, the Marble Palace and Michael's Castle, the spire of Peter and Paul's fortress, Yusupov Palace, and the Mariinsky Theatre. All the St. Petersburg embankments have their own distinctive character. Some are formal and grand. Some along the twisting rivers and canals have a quiet, romantic air. The city gains an exceptional variety and charm from the views that arise at the intersections of its great streets and waterways. This is particularly striking on the main thoroughfare, the Nevsky prospect.

Excursions from St. Petersburg

The old castles, parks and other attractions near St. Petersburg are well worth visiting, especially in summer. The finest of the summer resorts in Petrodvorets (formerly Peterhoff).

Petrodvorets (formerly Peterhoff)

Some 18 miles from the centre of St. Petersburg, on the shores of the Gulf of Finland. Petrodvorets was started in 1704 and building continued through many decades Even those who have never been here yet have definitely seen the photographs of the magnificent fountains, park pavilions and Palaces of this Tsar's Residence. Planned by Peter the Great himself, the ensemble has been further developed and accomplished by many excellent architects, sculptors and engineers. You will enjoy the Grand Peterhoff Palace, planned by Rastrelli, the Place Mon - Plaisir (the first painting gallery in Russia), pavilion Hermitage and the most remarkable here - a great number of fountains, different in form and decor, striking by their beauty Coming to St. Petersburg, you ought to visit this place. Open: 10.30 - 17.00.Closed on MON and the last TUE of every month.

Pushkin (formerly Tsarskoe Selo)

Pushkin (formerly Tsarskoe Selo)is about 15 miles from Leningrad to the south Palace and Parks ensemble includes a few palaces, garden pavilions, great parks with ponds, lanes, greenhouses, sculptures and monuments - all well designed and exceptionally picturesque. The Catherine Place was built in the middle of the 18th century, construction lasted seven years on Rastrelli design, the result was breathtaking - an apotheosis of Russian Baroque. 306 meters long, the building ends in a superb staircase, north, and a five -cupola church, south. The Old Park stretches east, with graceful pavilions and elegant gardens. The Catherine Palace is known for its Thrown Room decorated with gild woodcarving and famous all over the world Amber Room, the room decorated entirely with amber. The interior of the Catherine's Palace combines in itself such elegance and luxury, such beauty and magnificence, that is regarded as one of the most outstanding works of the World's culture. You may like the visit the building of Lyceum where the great Russian poet and writer Alexander Pushkin studied from 1811 till 1817, today ifs a museum. Open:10.00 -17.00. Closed on TUE and the last MON of every month.

Pavlovsk

Pavlovsk is about 25 miles from St. Petersburg, less than 5 miles from Pushkin, The history of Pavlovsk goes back to the times of Catherine the Great, in 1777 she made her son future Paul 1 a gift of a large estate along the Slavyanka River, south of the city British architect Charles Cameron designed a superb classical Palace there in 1782 - 1786. also finest gardens and parks were laid out. Now the Grand Palace is famous for its richly decorated rooms, its' finest collection of Italian sculpture and western European painting. The Grand palace was the official residence of Paul 1, and it's the sample of the cosy Royal home. Pavlovsk's park is truly known as one of the best landscapes parks in Europe. Thanks to the plan of the creators of this park you will see here absolutely unique landscapes that will enable vou to feel the beauty of the Russian nature Open: 10.00 - 17.00. Closed on FRI and the first MON of every month.