SAINT-PETERSBURG SIGHTS

The most part of tourists come to Saint Petersburg with the purpose of seeing its world-known sights with their own eyes, walking the streets and squares which are full of reminders of Russian Empire, visiting the places frequented by famous poets and writers, as well as their books’ characters.

Even those who come to St. Petersburg not because of the city itself but on a business trip or with the aim of having fun in clubs and shopping, unconsciously enjoy the view of the city sights. Many hotels situated in the historical center of the city are historical memorials themselves. A good example is the famous hotel Astoria and the notorious hotel Angletere. There are a lot of mini-hotels in the center of the city which are located in ancient buildings, every one of which is an important memorial of architecture and has its own history.

The Moskovsky (Moscow) railway station which is the beginning of St. Petersburg for many tourists is also a part of the city’s history. It was constructed as early as the middle of the century before last and initially was named Nikolaevsky. The Moskovsy railway station has become the point from which stretched “the metal thread” of rails connecting Petersburg with Moscow.

Buying delicacies in the Eliseevsky supermarket, shopping in the multiple sections of the Gostiny Dvor or strolling along Nevsky avenue looking at motley illuminated shop windows, a tourist can miss the fact that all this modern entourage hides a great history. Thus, any tourist will realize that Nevsky represents not only supermarkets and restaurants, but also Baron von Klodt’s horses on the Anichkov Bridge, the Stroganov Palace, a monument to Katherine II in the garden near the Alexandrinsky Theatre, the Kazansky Cathedral, the Spas-na-Krovi Cathedral, etc.

Many hotels render assistance to curious tourists, such as organization of individual or even group excursion tours. One can also do it without any help, just having taken a guide-book and starting sightseeing – alone or with a company of friends. You can both walk along the city and observe interesting for you buildings and memorials, and visit museums of the city. For instance, the Hermitage is so huge and rich in magnificent art works, and it takes a day or maybe even several days to see some of its famous collections.

It is a must to come to St. Petersburg at least once in summer and see drawing of the city bridges, make a boat trip by canals and rivers of the Northern capital. Many sights of St. Petersburg look quite differently from water.