DK Travel : St Petersburg

From the pre-revolutionary grandeur of the Hermitage and the Mariinskiy Theatre to the ubiquitous reminders of the country’s Soviet period, St Petersburg is a city where eras, and architectural styles, collide. Blessed with some of the world’s most magnificent skylines, the city has been the inspiration for many of Russia’s greatest writers, from Gogol to Dostoevsky. Known throughout the country as “The Venice of the North”, Russia’s second city is a place of wonder and enigma, of “White Nights” and long, freezing winters.

1703

Named after the founding year of St Petersburg, this restaurant serves a mixture of European and Russian food, plus on-tap local beer.
1917 Revolution

Following a series of strikes in 1917, the tsar was forced to abdicate, and a provisional government assumed power. This was the signal for exiled revolutionaries, led by Vladimir Lenin, to return to Russia, where they overthrew the fledgling government in October, heralding the start of more than 70 years of Soviet rule.
1991 Coup

The military coup occurred when hardliners opposed to President Gorbachev’s reforms seized power. Supporters of Gorbachev’s policies gathered in Palace Square to protest events. The coup was eventually defeated.
300th Anniversary

St Petersburg’s 300th anniversary saw a long-needed renovation of the city. The celebrations were attended by the heads of government from more than 45 countries and lasted for over ten days.
A Day Around Nevskiy Prospekt

Morning

Starting around 11am to avoid the morning rush-hour crowds, turn right from the even-numbered side of Nevskiy prospekt into the atmospheric nab. Kanala Griboedova. From here, walk down to the Church on Spilled Blood at the end of the canal and then walk back up to the exhibition halls of the Russian Museum , where you can feast your eyes upon one of the world’s best collections of Russian art. Afterwards, weather permitting, picnic at the nearby Arts Square, an oasis of calm in this bustling area. If the weather is bad, then savour some delicious pancakes in the Russian Museum café on the ground floor.

Afternoon

Walk back up nab. Kanala Griboedova and cross Nevskiy prospekt at the traffic lights opposite the metro station. To your right is the Cathedral of Our Lady of Kazan , inspired by St Peter’s in Rome. Heading away from the cathedral, take a stroll along Nevskiy prospekt, soaking up the atmosphere and visiting a few souvenir shops. Be sure to stop by at the brooding Church of St Catherine and the “Blue Pearl of Nevskiy Prospekt” – the Armenian Church. Then head up to the Grand Hotel Europe, and splash out on a caviar and vodka session in the Caviar Bar . If your wallet won’t quite stretch to this, make your way to the nearby Kalinka-Malinka for some tasty traditional Russian food.
A Day of Imperial Wonders

Morning

Turn off the even-numbered side of Nevskiy prospekt and walk down Bolshaya Morskaya ulitsa, sticking to the left, and an unforgettable view of the Hermitage and Palace Square will open up in front of you. Stroll through the vastness of the square, examining the colossal, freestanding Alexander Column as you do so. Before entering the Hermitage, wander over to the Atlantes and the Winter Canal . It is impossible to see everything the Hermitage has to offer in one visit, and so, take a break and have lunch at the museum café. If the weather is good, have a picnic in the nearby Summer Garden or Field of Mars.

Afternoon

After lunch, head away from the river, crossing Palace Square again on your way towards St Isaac’s Square. Pass through the Admiralty Gardens to look at busts of Russian composers and writers, and pay a visit to the Bronze Horseman , a local landmark. The gardens are a popular spot for taking wedding photographs. Turn away from the embankment, and head for St Isaac’s Square, where the statue of Nicholas I stands. Next, climb the many steps to the top of the massive St Isaac’s Cathedral for a breathtaking view of the city. Later, walk back across St Isaac’s Square to Idiot for a relaxing meal.
A Stroll Before a Show

Afternoon

In order to attend an evening performance at the legendary Mariinskiy Theatre , begin your walk at 4pm. Starting at the bustling Sennaya ploshchad, head across the road from the exit to Sadovaya Metro station, and walk in the direction of the nab. Kanala Griboedova, turning right after the Avokado café. Turn right again and follow the canal away from the metro towards the 19th-century Lion Bridge , being sure to pay close attention to the magnificently sculpted lions. Take a right at the bridge into the narrow Prachechnyy pereulok, and follow the street to its very end, turning left at the Moyka. Ahead of you is the yellow façade of Yusupov Palace . Audio guides to the palace’s interior are available in English and many other languages. Don’t forget to check out the exhibition in the basement devoted to the infamous Rasputin.

Evening

After coming out of the Yusupov Palace, follow the Moyka down to Potseluev most (Bridge of Kisses) and take the first left. Ahead of you is St Nicholas’ Cathedral . After paying it a visit, retrace your steps back along ulitsa Glinki, named after the 19th-century Russian composer, Mikhail Glinka. It should now be time to take your seats at the Mariinskiy Theatre. After the performance has ended, relax over a filling meal at Za Tsenoi (Backstage) .
A Walk Around the Strelka

Morning

All the main sights on Vasilevskiy Island are relatively close, so there is no need for public transport or excruciatingly long walks. Start the morning at the 19th-century Rostral Columns, admiring the view across the Neva. Perhaps St Petersburg’s defining feature, the river lies frozen in winter. Afterwards, cross over the road to Universitetskaya nab. and walk down to the city’s oldest museum, the Kunstkammer . Spend some time exploring Peter the Great’s mania for biological oddities. When you have sufficiently recovered your nerve, walk the short distance towards the Academy of Arts, home of the Russian Realist art movement. Directly across the road from the Academy are the Sphinxes, standing guard on the riverside. The sphinxes are a meeting point for the city’s youth. Buy a momento from the numerous souvenir sellers here, and then stroll towards Blagoveshchenskiy Bridge, which was extensively renovated in 2007.

Noon

Now walk down to the splendid 18th-century St Andrew’s Cathedral – admire its breathtaking iconostasis. Afterwards, go back to Universitetskaya nab. and drop in at Russian Kitsch for a slightly surreal journey back to the Soviet era, complete with Soviet pop and menus bound in the works of Lenin.
A Walk Through History

Morning

Start at Gorkovskaya metro station and, crossing the road via the underpass, walk down Kamennoostrovskiy prospekt to Sobornaya Mosque, using its sky-blue minarets and cupola to guide you – you may be lucky enough to be allowed a look inside. After that, walk down to Trinity Square and admire the elegant Trinity Bridge . Without crossing the bridge, turn left and take a stroll along Petrovskaya nab., admiring the views of the Neva. A short distance from Trinity Bridge is the Cabin of Peter the Great. Visit the museum inside and as you leave, don’t miss the Manchurian Lions on the bank just opposite. Stop for lunch at the Volna (Wave) .

Afternoon

After eating, stroll back to Kamennoostrovskiy prospekt and on to the Peter and Paul Fortress . A visit here will take up the rest of the afternoon. Be sure to see the magnificent Cathedral of SS Peter and Paul, seeking out the tombs of the Romanov monarchs. A visit to the Trubetskoy Bastion, the home of countless famous prisoners down the years, is also not to be missed. If you have time, stop by to observe the controversial 1991 Statue of Peter the Great outside Neva Gate, from which point prisoners were exiled or sent off for execution. After all that history, if the weather is good, head over to the beach for sunbathing and a beer or two.
Academic Capella

A historic venue for classical concerts.

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