St. Petersburg has played an exceptional role in the life of Russia. It is the second largest city in our country. St. Petersburg is the most northern capital in the world. It is on the latitude as Greenland, Alaska an Chukotka. This explains the white nights which are most clearly visible between 11 June and 2 July. The city is rather young. It was founded less than 300 years ago. The founder of St. Petersburg is Peter the Great, who laid the first stone of the Peter and Paul Fortress in 1703 on Hare island, thus starting a new city. In 1712 it became the capital of Russia, the centre of its political and cultural life.

St. Petersburg is one the greatest and most beautiful cities in the world. Its historical and cultural importance is as big as that of Paris, London or Rome. “Northern Palmira”, “Northern Venice” attracts thousands of tourists from all over the world.

The Peter and Paul Fortress is located on Hare Island, on the right bank of the Neva river. It was designed by Peter the First. It has never been used as a fortress and its bastions were turned into political cells. Nowadays it is a museum of architecture and history. The Peter and Paul Cathedral was the burial-vault of Russian emperors since Peter the Great.

Today the Russian museum contains more than 300,000 paintings by Russian artists starting from the 10th century. The St. Isaac’s Cathedral is one of the most grandiose cathedral in the word. It can hold 14,000 people. A marvellous view of the city one can have from its observation platform.

St.Isaac’s Cathedral.
One of the most beautiful and highest buildings with a cupola 101.5 meters high. It was built during 40 years (1818—1858) to the design of French architect August Monferan in Russian classical style.

The Peter and Paul Cathedral designed by Tresini was the burial-vault of Russian emperois since 1725.

Yusupov Palace. The residence of an old and noble Russian family — the Yusupovs. It was also the site where Rasputin was murdered. Gala and residential rooms of the palace are open to visitors. Concerts of classical and folk music are held there.

Pushkin is situated 25 km south of St. Petersburg. Since the early 18th century until 1917 it has been the official royal residence — Tsarskoye Selo.

Catherine’s Palace, constructed in the 18th century, is noted for its beauty, majesty, interior decoration and the famous Jade Room.

Lomonosov (Oranienbaum). In 1710, the governor of St. Petersburg and Peter’s favorite Alexander Menshikov ordered to construct a grand summer residence not far from Peterhoff (10 km) on the Gulf of Finland. Visitors can see residential and household rooms of the time of Peter III in the China Palace built by architect Rinaldi. In the Katalnaya Gorka pavilion, exhibition are held, the most interesting of them is that of porcelain.