{"id":672207,"date":"2022-08-24T13:26:00","date_gmt":"2022-08-24T10:26:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/tourism.com.de\/?p=672207"},"modified":"2022-02-03T18:42:16","modified_gmt":"2022-02-03T15:42:16","slug":"what-to-see-in-st-petersburg-in-3-days-on-your-own-route-photo-description-map","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/tourism.com.de\/en\/what-to-see-in-st-petersburg-in-3-days-on-your-own-route-photo-description-map\/","title":{"rendered":"What to see in St. Petersburg in 3 days on your own – route, photo, description, map"},"content":{"rendered":"

Petersburg is a real open-air museum, an architectural and cultural treasure trove where you can find almost all styles of art in all sorts of combinations. The list of sights<\/a> of the old capital is hardly possible to fit on one sheet. If you visit this city as part of an excursion program in the company of an experienced type, then there will be no particular difficulties with planning a visit route. But what is worth seeing in St. Petersburg in 3 days if you are a free tour<\/a>ist?<\/p>\n

1 day<\/h2>\n

It is best to start diving into the sights of the capital from a symbolic place, namely from St<\/a>. Isaac's Square, in the area of \u200b\u200bu200bu200bwhich a lot of architectural monuments are concentrated.<\/p>\n

Mariinsky Palace<\/h3>\n

\"What<\/a><\/p>\n

The first thing you pay attention to when you are on St. Isaac's Square is the Mariinsky Palace, which was built on the initiative of Nicholas I as a gift<\/a> for his daughter. This palace was planned primarily not as an imperial residence, but as a house for a married couple, therefore, not classical marble, but sandstone was used as the main material.<\/p>\n

It is noteworthy that even after the death of its eminent owners, the palace more than once turned out to be a place where political scandals unfolded. The palace is located at Isaakievskaya Square, 6. You can view it only from the outside, but visiting the interior is not provided.<\/p>\n

Monument to Nicholas I<\/h3>\n

\"What<\/a><\/p>\n

This monument is located between the Mariinsky Palace and St. Isaac's Cathedral, but not in their shadow. This colossal statue was installed after the death of the emperor according to the project of the then famous architect Montferrand and sculptor Klodt. The equestrian statue, standing on a pedestal, adorns St. Isaac's Square today.<\/p>\n

Astoria Hotel<\/a><\/h3>\n

\"What<\/a><\/p>\n

This hotel was built on the site of a former mansion that belonged to the Lvov family. At the beginning of the twentieth century, the British acquired the land ownership rights, who decided to create a hotel in the Art Nouveau style. The name was chosen in imitation of the New York hotels that belonged to the Astors.<\/p>\n

This hotel has been the focus of historical events more than once. So, it was in this building that Hitler planned to celebrate the victory over Leningrad. Today, this five-star hotel continues to function. It is located at Bolshaya Morskaya st., 39.<\/p>\n

Saint Isaac's Cathedral<\/h3>\n

\"What<\/a><\/p>\n

It is worth allocating at least an hour to visit this monument. This largest Orthodox church in St. Petersburg<\/a> and one of the tallest domed buildings in the city has the status of a museum. It was built in the style of late classicism according to the project of the then young and ambitious French architect Auguste Montferrand.<\/p>\n

This temple is a work of art, from the steps of the main facade to the wall cladding. It is located at 4 Isaakievskaya Square. The cathedral is open for tours from 11:30 to 18:00. A special point is a visit to the colonnade, which offers an impressive view of the city.<\/p>\n

“House<\/a> with Lions”<\/h3>\n

The Lobanov-Rostovsky House will be of particular interest to those who are passionate about classicist architecture. Initially, it was assumed that during the design, the emphasis would be on the richness of the finishes, but subsequently Montferrand, at the time of the start of the actual work, decided to rely on monumentality. The House with Lions owes its name to the sculptural composition of the same name carved from marble. The house is located at Isaakievskaya sq., 2.<\/p>\n

Oak planted by Emperor Alexander II<\/h3>\n

\"What<\/a><\/p>\n

As soon as you cross the Admiralteisky Prospekt, you will find yourself in the Alexander Garden, which is included in the list<\/a> of sites that are under the protection of UNESCO. Initially, it was conceived as one of the components of fortifications, but gradually such a need disappeared, and a boulevard appeared on the site of the former field, and then a garden, which today occupies more than 10 hectares.<\/p>\n

There is also an oak planted personally by the emperor. However, this is where the garden got its name from. The garden is open to the public around the clock.<\/p>\n

Horse guard arena<\/h3>\n

\"What<\/a><\/p>\n

Previously, the building, built in the style of classicism, was used for training of the Cavalry Regiment of the Imperial Guard, but today this building, decorated with antique columns, has become one of the most sought-after exposition spaces in the Northern capital.<\/p>\n

The exhibition hall is located at Isaakievskaya Square, 1. It has undergone a major overhaul and is a venue for various exhibitions, seminars and lectures, one way or another connected with the problems of art.<\/p>\n

Buildings of the Senate and Synod<\/h3>\n

\"What<\/a><\/p>\n

If you continue to move to the left of the Alexander Garden, you can go to the buildings of the Senate and the Synod, which were used as buildings of two state bodies of the same name. The buildings were erected in the Empire style and are separate buildings, however, the decision was made to stylistically combine them with the help of a triumphal arch.<\/p>\n

Such an architectural solution was supposed to demonstrate the unity of the church and the law. Today, both buildings house state institutions, as well as the chambers of the patriarch, and therefore only an external inspection of the objects is provided. The buildings of the Senate and the Synod are located at 1-3 Dekabristov passage.<\/p>\n

Bronze Horseman<\/h3>\n

\"What<\/a><\/p>\n

One of the main architectural landmarks of the Senate Square is the monument to Peter the Great, better known as the Bronze Horseman. It owes this name to Pushkin's poem of the same name.<\/p>\n

Empress Catherine II took an active part in the development<\/a> of the concept of the future monument, who at that moment was in correspondence with the French enlighteners. The equestrian statue of Peter the Great stands on an impressive pedestal – the Thunder Stone, which was brought from the outskirts of the former capital.<\/p>\n

Admiralty<\/h3>\n

\"What<\/a><\/p>\n

The modern building, which has retained its first name – the Admiralty, is located on the site where, under Peter the Great, there were shipyards built according to his own drawings. Here, not only ships were laid down, but various materials were also supplied. The building was built in the style of classicism and crowned with the famous ship.<\/p>\n

The first ship was cast by a Dutch master, and in the casket under it were stacked all the variants of gold coins that existed at that time in the empire. Today, the text of the Constitution is kept there. The Admiralty is located at Admiralteisky proezd, 1-2. Only an external inspection is possible, since today the headquarters of the Russia<\/a>n Navy is located there.<\/p>\n

Hermitage, Winter Palace<\/a><\/h3>\n

\"What<\/a><\/p>\n

It is worth allocating the most time to visiting the Hermitage, since according to approximate estimates, it will take about eight years to go around all the halls of the museum<\/a>. Therefore, it is worth knowing in advance about the most popular halls and planning their visit based on personal preferences.<\/p>\n

It is worth noting that the modern Hermitage began with a chain of Winter Palaces, which were built under various monarchs, starting with Peter the Great. Only under Catherine II did the first building of the Hermitage itself appear, that is, a “place for solitude”, which the Empress decided to decorate with various canvases.<\/p>\n

Today, the museum complex includes the Winter Palace, the Hermitage Theatre, the Large and Small Hermitages, as well as the New Hermitage, and this is not counting additional buildings. In the expositions of the museum you can find works of art, the first of which belong to the Stone Age.<\/p>\n

The main museum complex is located at 2, Palace Square. Most museums<\/a> are open from 10:30 to 18:00, except for the Winter Palace of Peter the Great, which closes an hour earlier. Monday is a day off. A standard adult ticket, which allows you to visit all the buildings of the complex, costs 400 rubles.<\/p>\n

Palace Square with the Alexander Column<\/h3>\n

\"What<\/a><\/p>\n

This architectural ensemble began to take shape in the second half of the eighteenth century. The main dominant feature was the Winter Palace, whose facade overlooks the square. Palace Square is closed on all sides by buildings, the main of which are the building of the headquarters of the Guards Corps and the General Staff.<\/p>\n

In the center of the square is the Alexander Column, made of red granite. It holds the status of the tallest solid stone column. It is crowned by the figure of an angel made of pink granite. It is noteworthy that during the manufacture of the statue, the sculptor relied on the appearance of Alexander I.<\/p>\n

General Staff building<\/h3>\n

\"What<\/a><\/p>\n

The chief architect who worked on the building of the General Staff was Carlo Rossi. It was he who created and implemented the project of the two wings of the complex, which were connected with the help of an arch dedicated to the victory over the French in 1812.<\/p>\n

For almost two centuries, various departments were housed in this building, but at the end of the twentieth century, the eastern wing was transfer<\/a>red to the Hermitage, and today museum collections continue to be housed there. The main headquarters is located at Nevsky Prospekt, Palace Square, 6\/8. Visiting hours correspond to the opening hours<\/a> of other components of the Hermitage complex.<\/p>\n

winter groove<\/h3>\n

\"What<\/a><\/p>\n

The winter groove is considered one of the most beautiful and romantic places in the northern capital. A small canal connecting the Neva and Capelin, according to legend, appeared in the time of Peter the Great along with the city itself. And its name appeared due to the fact that the canal passed by the Winter Palace.<\/p>\n

Tourists come here mainly for the unique archway that connects the Great Hermitage and the Hermitage Theatre. Although in addition to it, a couple of wooden bridges are also thrown over the groove – the Winter and the Hermitage, however, a stone structure was subsequently erected on the site of the latter.<\/p>\n

Rostral columns<\/h3>\n

\"What<\/a><\/p>\n

Through the Winter Canal you can get to the Neva embankment and go to the Spit of Vasilyevsky Island<\/a>, where the Rostral columns are located. Initially, they were used as lighthouses. Inside each column is a staircase that leads to the platform that crowns the top.<\/p>\n

Fires were lit there, first with oil, then with gas. Rostral columns are called, since the main element of the decor are the rostra – that is, the prows of the ships. As a rule, these are trophy rosters made of copper. At the foot of the columns are sculptures – male and female figures.<\/p>\n

Exchange building<\/h3>\n

\"What<\/a><\/p>\n

This building is the central architectural dominant of Vasilyevsky Island. The first projects appeared in the time of Peter the Great, but the actual opening of the functioning building took place almost a century later.<\/p>\n

Outwardly, the Exchange came out extremely pompous and in the style of the temples of antiquity that adorned Ancient Greece. All the same columns, a high platform at the base and sculptural compositions. True, the Exchange lost its paramount importance rather quickly.<\/p>\n

Today, a modern oil exchange is located there, and therefore only an external inspection of the building is possible. The exchange is located at Exchange Square, 4.<\/p>\n

Day 2: Trip to Peterhof<\/h2>\n

\"What<\/a><\/p>\n

A whole day should be allocated for a trip to Peterhof, but even so there is no guarantee that it will be possible to examine in detail all the buildings that are located on its territory. This complex is also often called the Russian Versailles and deservedly so.<\/p>\n

Its construction was initiated by Peter the Great after the victory in the Northern War. Peterhof consists of two parts – New Peterhof, where most of the sights are concentrated, and Old Peterhof.<\/p>\n

Peterhof is a real city within a city. On its territory there are imperial residences, parks and fountains, which are the subject of its special pride. In addition, the complex also houses a number of museums dedicated not only to history<\/a> or art, but also to fountain and maritime affairs. Each component of the complex operates according to its own schedule and has its own entrance ticket price.<\/p>\n

Peterhof is located at Razvodnaya street, 2.<\/p>\n

3 day<\/h2>\n

As a starting point, you can choose the Kazan Cathedral, which is simply impossible to confuse with anything else or miss.<\/p>\n

Kazan Cathedral<\/h3>\n

\"What<\/a><\/p>\n

It is well known that during the construction of the Kazan Cathedral, St. Peter's Cathedral in Rome was taken as the basis, which made a strong impression on Emperor Paul. In the appearance of the Kazan Cathedral, one can trace the traditional attributes of this Italian building – a huge dome and graceful wings of columns hugging the square.<\/p>\n

The Kazan Cathedral has always been of exceptional importance not only in the religious sense – although it is here that the icon of the Kazan Mother of God is kept, or in the architectural sense – although the cathedral turned out to be perhaps the most colorful building in St. Petersburg, but also in a general historical sense. The cathedral is located at Nevsky Prospect, 25. You can visit it from 7:00 to 20:00. Entrance is free, as the Kazan Cathedral is a functioning temple.<\/p>\n

Savior on Spilled Blood<\/h3>\n

\"What<\/a><\/p>\n

A long embankment of the Griboyedov Canal stretches from the Kazan Cathedral. If you move along it, you will definitely find yourself at the Church of the Savior on Spilled Blood, which is considered the most beautiful in Russia. Despite its more than bright and magnificent design, the temple was erected in memory of a successful assassination attempt on Emperor Alexander II.<\/p>\n

This “gingerbread house” stands out very strongly on the general architectural canvas of the former capital, and it is simply impossible to miss it: mosaics, jewelry enamel, marble floors and rich decoration with gems. The temple is located at the embankment of the Griboedov Canal, 2B. It works from 10:30 to 17:30.<\/p>\n

Field of Mars<\/h3>\n

\"What<\/a><\/p>\n

Initially, the territory in the vicinity of the Summer Garden was called the Tsaritsyn Meadow and was used mainly for military parades. Monuments to prominent commanders also stood here, although they were later moved. Later, the field was named by analogy with the Champs de Mars in Paris, and festivities began to be held on its territory.<\/p>\n

As a memorial complex, the Field of Mars took shape after the 1918 revolution. Subsequently, they began to bury not only the victims of political strife, but also the leaders of the Bolshevik party. In the center of the complex today is the Eternal Flame. Field of Mars is located on the 1st Admiralty Island. Entrance to its territory is free and possible around the clock.<\/p>\n

Suvorov Square<\/h3>\n

Through the Field of Mars, you can go to Suvorovskaya Square, which is considered one of the main squares in the historical part of the city. It forms a single architectural ensemble with the Marble Palace, the monument to Suvorov and the Trinity Bridge.<\/p>\n

Peter-Pavel's Fortress<\/h3>\n

\"What<\/a><\/p>\n

For a long time, the Peter and Paul Fortress was a kind of core of St. Petersburg. It was from the architectural ensemble of this citadel that the capital began. Despite its fortification properties, the fortress never became a direct participant in hostilities and gradually turned into a prison for the most famous criminals.<\/p>\n

Every day, a flag is raised over the Peter and Paul Fortress, and at noon you can hear the shot of a cannon from the local bastion. The Peter and Paul Fortress is located on Hare Island. It is open from 8:30 to 21:00.<\/p>\n

Monument to the Guardian<\/h3>\n

\"What<\/a><\/p>\n

The monument to the sailors of the destroyer of the same name was supposed to perpetuate the feat of the people who fell during the Russo-Japanese War, which destroyed most of the Russian fleet. The monument depicts the moment when water begins to flood the sinking ship.<\/p>\n

According to the original idea, this monument was supposed to become a fountain, and during the grand opening, the water really flowed, but this destroyed the monument, and it was decided to turn it off. It is noteworthy that the monument to the Guardian is the only sculptural composition of the city, made in the style of pure Art Nouveau. The monument is located on Kamenoostrovsky Prospekt, in the Alexander Park.<\/p>\n

Kshesinskaya's mansion<\/h3>\n

\"What<\/a><\/p>\n

The mansion was built in the Art Nouveau style with all its characteristic features: asymmetric overall silhouette, different sizes of walls and windows, contrasting building materials – red and gray granite. This mansion was built at the beginning of the twentieth century for the prima ballerina of the Mariinsky Theatre. Soon it turned into the center of cultural and social life of the capital.<\/p>\n

True, at the very beginning of the 1918 revolution, the ballerina left her home. It is noteworthy that it was in this building that the famous Russian variation on the theme of the adventures of Sherlock Holmes was filmed. The prima ballerina's mansion is located at 2-4 Kuibyshev Street. At the moment, the building of the mansion houses the Museum of Political History of Russia. It is open from 10:00 to 18:00.<\/p>\n

Cathedral Mosque<\/h3>\n

\"What<\/a><\/p>\n

The Cathedral Mosque is the largest northern mosque in Europe. This impressive architectural monument appeared at the beginning of the twentieth century and is an example of northern modernity, although it was made in accordance with the traditions of Muslim architecture.<\/p>\n

The Timur Mosque, which is located in Samarkand, was used as a model. The building itself was built of Finnish stone, and majolica, gray granite and stalactites were used for decoration. The mosque is located at Kronverksky Prospect, 7. The mosque is active, so those who do not profess Islam can only see it from the outside.<\/p>\n

Summer garden<\/h3>\n

\"What<\/a><\/p>\n

This garden complex is part of the Russian Museum. It was founded by Peter the Great, but subsequently many eminent architects and sculptors worked on this monument of landscape art. From the very beginning, the garden was conceived as a summer residence for representatives of the royal family, and therefore the Versailles complex in Paris was taken as a model.<\/p>\n

The summer garden was not so large-scale, but, nevertheless, really impressive. It is located at Fontanka River Embankment, 1. The garden is open to the public from 10:00 to 22:00. Entrance to its territory is free.<\/p>\n

Mikhailovsky Castle<\/h3>\n

\"What<\/a><\/p>\n

This architectural monument was built in the style of romantic classicism according to the project of Bazhenov. The castle owes its name to the Archangel Michael, who is the patron saint of the Romanov dynasty. However, this building was called a castle only because of the desire of Paul I, who wanted to build his own medieval palace. Mikhailovsky Castle is considered perhaps the most striking symbol of the Pavlovsk era.<\/p>\n

The castle is located at Sadovaya street, 2. At the moment it is part of the Russian Museum complex. It is open from 10:00 to 18:00 on all days except Thursday (opening hours – 23:00 to 21:00) and Tuesday, which is a public holiday.<\/p>\n

Mikhailovsky Garden<\/h3>\n

\"What<\/a><\/p>\n

The Mikhailovsky Garden is a unique example of the fusion of French and English landscape styles. Its layout has been adjusted for more than a hundred years, hence such stylistic heterogeneity.<\/p>\n

The visiting card of the garden is its canals, which are combined into a complex water system with the help of overground and underground passages. Today the Mikhailovsky Garden is part of the Russian Museum complex. It is located on the embankment of the Griboyedov Canal, 2. The garden is open to the public from 10:00 to 22:00. Entrance to the garden is free.<\/p>\n

Route<\/a> around St. Petersburg for 3 days on the map<\/h2>\n