Peter the Great founded this former Russian capital in 1703 and set out to create a city of splendor and magnificence in the Neva River delta on the Western shores of the Gulf of Finland. The city is still a place of stunning beauty and remains a popular destination for both Russian and foreign tourists, and for good reason.
Pythagoreans and high school geometry students alike will be taken aback by the planning that went into St Petersburg. Peter saw the delta location as appropriate for his vision of a city of canals as well, and it took almost until the end of the 19th century before any bridges were allowed to traverse the Neva. Various monuments tell the stories of the city’s history with the tsars or its siege in WWII. The Alexander Column, another prominent landmark, was erected to commemorate the defeat of Napoleon’s invading forces.
This is a city of palaces, churches and imperial residences and the one complex most tourists come here to see is the Hermitage. It may not be the household name that the Louvre is, but it may even surpass the premier museum of the continent in the sheer volume of things to see. You could spend your entire holiday exploring the varied artifacts and pieces of art, so it’s best to resign yourself to the fact that you will not be seeing everything that’s in there. Sigh.
Highlights
The Hermitage: is without a doubt one of the most important museums in the world, and also one of the largest. This place has everything.
The Bronze Horseman: this statue of Peter the Great is archetypal when viewed with the evening outlines of St Isaac’s Cathedral behind it.
Monument to the Heroic Defenders of Leningrad: A sober reminder of the Nazi siege in WWII; learn how the Russians kept their city out of Hitler’s reach.
Peter and Paul Fortress: the oldest building in town can be found on one of the islands on the Neva. The current complex also houses the log cabin where Peter himself lived during the city’s construction.
Alexander Column: named after the ruling emperor whose forces kept the might Napoleon at bay is the tallest of its kind, sat proudly in the Palace Square.