HERMITAGE
A tour of the HERMITAGE exposes you to not only the famous artistic works of the world but also to the architecture of the Winter Palace and the historical events which occurred here.

WINTER PALACE
The most famous palace is the WINTER PALACE, now one of the five buildings of the world-renowned HERMITAGE MUSEUM. The name first used by Catherine the Great for her private refuge and art collection, the HERMITAGE contains works by the most famous European artists as well as artisans from around the world in sculpture, ceramics, weaving, inlay and filigree as well as paintings.

CATHERINE'S PALACE (PUSHKIN)
is the most famous of the former "summer palaces" located in Tsarskoye Selo- or "Czar's Village". Designed to entertain in magnificent surroundings, the building interiors are only part of the design with extensive gardens and pavilions created to entertain the romantic and idealistic ideals of the royal courts. The famous blue façade of Catherine's Palace is easily recognized but it is the interior rooms with their carefully restored wall coverings, especially the famous "amber room" with its completed restoration in 2004, which delights the visitor.

Located some 12 miles away from St. Petersburg, the ensemble of the Catherine's Palace and Catherine's Park are among Russia's top museums visited by hundreds of thousands tourists every year.

PAVLOVSK PALACE
Catherine's gift to her grandson Paul, is known for the extensive exhibitions of the decorative arts- furniture, china, marbles, tiles and elaborately designed rooms and celilings as well as paintings - which are the special attraction here. The gardens of Pavlovsk are also extensive but on a short summer visit, one does not have time to explore the walkways and labyrinths.

PETERHOF
was started by Peter the Great to entertain his guests along the Gulf of Finland. More than 140 famous fountains are the attraction in the gardens, especially the Cascade which operate by the same hydraulics set up by Peter, and the more entertaining magic stones or flowing trees. The restored buildings of interest here include the Palace, the Bath House and Catherine's Enclave. IF you have time, arrive by hydrofoil for the effect that Peter designed for his court when arriving by water.

MIKHAILOVSKY PALACE
at the head of Arts Sqare is home to the RUSSIAN MUSEUM. This amazing collection of Russian art from the three early icon schools throughthe Soviet propaganda art and now also exhibiting the Russian impressionists, is worth a visit. From formal portraitures to the evolvement of the intinerant painters who began giving the true view of life across the countryside, with such works as Repin's "Burlaki on the Volga" , to the works of Levitan and later Kandinsky, Russian history is carefully portrayed in the works displayed here.

In the middle of the fortress there is the Peter and Paul Cathedral, a church where all the Russian Emperors and Empresses from Peter the Great to Alexander III are buried. The Cathedral was the first church in the city to be built of stone (in 1712-33). The design of the cathedral is most unusual for a Russian Orthodox church (come over to St Petersburg and you will learn why).

ST. ISAAC'S CATHEDRAL
is one of the three largest domes in the world and a construction miracle. The mosaics and the iconostasis are remarkable works with semi-precious stones.

On a clear summer day, a climb to the top of the tower is also worth the view.

Newly reopened!
For the first time since the 1930s !!!

CHURCH OF THE SPILLED BLOOD
(church of Resurrection of Christ)
was constructed in 1883-1907 on the former Ekaterininsky, now Griboedova, canal embankment, where on the 1st of March, 1881 Ignaty Grinevitsky, member of the "Peoples' Will", mortally wounded the emperor Alexander II.

CHURCH OF THE SPILLED BLOOD
Now restored to its colorful beauty, the onion-domes glisten and the interior is resplendent. After years as a storage facility, the delicate church architecture is an excellent example of the craftsmanship of the restoration artists.

KAZAN CATHEDRAL
This magnificent structure along the Nevsky Prospekt was built in 1801-11 and was the site of the royal marriages . Much has been done on the inside, but it is the exterior and the gardens that generate much use today. It is worth a photo stop!

NEVKSY MONASTERY AND LAVRA
Alexander Nevsky Lavra ensemble is located at the end of Nevsky Prospekt, between Alexander Nevsky Square and the Obvodny Canal, at the confluence of the Monastyrka and Neva rivers; it is considered to be one of the largest architectural ensembles in St. Petersburg.

This Orthodox Church and Monastery was one of the four functioning monasteries in the Soviet Era. Although the services are beautiful examples of the symbolism and musical chants of the Church, it is the Lavra, or cemeteries, which draws the most visitors. Here the decorative monuments and headstones to such artists as Tchaikovsky, Mussorgsky, Rimsky-Korsakov, Dostoyevsky and Lomonosov and Pavlov and Mendeleev reflect the continued devotion to musicians, writers, scientists, architects and other artists.

Nowadays the ensemble of the Alexander Nevsky Lavra, that functions as an orthodox monastery belonging to the St Petersburg eparchy, is one of the architectural, religious and historic centers of St Petersburg. At present time, services are being performed in the both temples of the Alexander Nevsky Lavra, some important reconstruction works are being held on its territory; sewing, joiner''s, icon-painting and baguette-making workshops have been opened in the cloister recently. There is also an increase in the number of the monastery monks."

THE MARIINSKY THEATRE
Is well known around the world for its ballet performances as well as its school. The MARIINSKY, under the artistic director Valery Gergiev, once again offers audiences the fabulous performances of the White Nights Festival, the International Ballet Festival and the White Days Festival as well as the regular season.

THE HERMITAGE THEATRE
is the intimate setting in the Winter Palace now used by the Mariinsky Company for smaller productions and "petite ballets".

FOLK PERFORMANCES
Numerous locations in the City depending upon the date.