Top St. Petersburg Landmarks

 

Breathtaking Saint Petersburg, known as the cultural capital of Russia due to its rich history, is full of wonders worth seeing with your own eyes. Walking down the ornate streets, you feel the spirit of the cradle of the revolution, the city of powerful Tsars, majestic royal palaces, and mesmerizing cathedrals. A lot of tourists head to see this impressive city, and it always seems that there's never enough time to cover all the highlights in one go. To navigate you and help choose the best attractions, we've created a list of the most outstanding Saint Petersburg landmarks. Take the chance to explore this city full of wonders!

1. Hermitage Museum
1. Hermitage Museum

The Winter Palace, home to the Hermitage Museum, is a unique architectural gem and one of the main highlights of St.Petersburg. Located on the Neva River banks, it pleases the eye with its lush exteriors and fancy water panorama. Did you know that the Hermitage Museum offers the largest art collection around the globe? You'd spend there several years if you'd stay 1 minute by each piece of artwork. Discover the treasures of this incredible museum and see the beauty of infinite halls, enjoying the impressive Malachite Room and the Great Nicholas Room.

2. St. Isaac's Cathedral
2. St. Isaac's Cathedral

The story of this great cathedral starts with a small wooden church built in 1706 by Peter the Great. Later on, it turned into one of the most impressive and legendary architectural buildings in the world. Colorful mosaics, elegant interiors decorated in a balanced manner with natural materials. We recommend you to go on top of the cathedral's observation deck and have a look at St. Petersburg from the hight of 43 meters (141 feet). Be sure to include a visit of St. Isaac's Cathedral while in St. Petersburg.

3. Peter and Paul Fortress
3. Peter and Paul Fortress

The Peter and Paul Fortress is another monumental place, symbolizing the power of the city! It was constructed by Peter the Great in 1703 to strengthen the city during the Northern War with Sweden. In our days, this is a very impressive historical complex that is an absolute must-see in St. Petersburg. Inside you can find the renown Trubetskoy Bastion and the State Museum of Saint Petersburg worth adding to your itinerary. An interesting fact: there is a peculiar way to announce noon: the fire of the cannon. Get lucky to hear it!

4. Church of the Savior on Spilled Blood
4. Church of the Savior on Spilled Blood

St. Petersburg is the city of landmarks, and the Church of the Savior on Spilled Blood is among the most remarkable ones. It was created in honor of Alexander II and located along the Griboedov Canal, which makes the view to the cathedral even more beautiful. It's decorated with semiprecious stones such as mountain crystal, jasper, and topaz. Moreover, about 23.130 square feet of its exterior is embellished with mosaics, making it the largest collection in Europe! Take the chance to see this unique beauty during your St. Petersburg trip!

5. Peterhof
5. Peterhof

One more "musts" for your Saint Petersburg trip is Peterhof that'll show you what it means to be royal in Russia. Peterhof is also known as "Russian Versailles" as it is the breathtaking residence of Russian Tsars built in the 20th century by Peter the Great. This UNESCO listed heritage site is a legendary complex with a bright collection of statues and fountains. The most impressive and famous ones working in the summer months are the Samson Fountain and the Grand Cascade.

6. Catherine's Palace
6. Catherine's Palace

Catherine's Palace (or Tsarskoye Selo) is a one-of-a-kind place that attracts a lot of travelers from all over the world. Situated in Pushkin, this royal residence deservedly counts as the most opulent one in Russia as its stucco facade and statues on the roof are covered with 100 kg of gold! They say the building was reconstructed at least 6 times until Empress Catherine became satisfied with the result. The most impressive highlight of Catherine's Palace is the stunning Amber Room that we do recommend not to miss during your tour!

7. Faberge Museum
7. Faberge Museum

Let's talk about one of the most unique gifts in the world, the Faberge eggs! Carl Faberge created the most impressive and brilliant jewelry artwork in history for the Russian Royal family as Easter presents. A lof of these unique treasures were lost over the years, but all the visitors of the Faberge Museum have a chance to admire and see with their own eyes the precious pieces which have made it to our days. Enjoy the exclusive masterpieces and visit the Faberge Museum!

8. Yusupov Palace
8. Yusupov Palace

One more must-to-include place to your Saint Petersburg sightseeing plans is the Yusupov Palace which is a bit of a mystery but is very inspiring. It hides the story of the Yusupov family and Grigoriy Rasputin, who, as many people believe, had a special impact on the royal family thanks to his supernatural powers. The mix of the dark history with the gorgeous interiors makes this palace one of the most attractive viewpoints among the travelers. Have a look at its design, created by numerous architects!

9. Kazan Cathedral
9. Kazan Cathedral

The Kazan Cathedral is a unique example of a great balance of architecture, history, and charm. A lot of architects held a competition for the right to build this cathedral, but this honor got a very young master, Andrei Voronikhin, who didn't apply for a competition but impressed Tsar Paul with his idea and design. Standing in front of the Kazan Cathedral you can see a massive Corinthian colonnade, a fabulous dome, and if to proceed a bit further, a wonderful garden and a fountain.

10. St. Petersburg Bridges
10. St. Petersburg Bridges

Your journey to the Venice of the North will not be complete without enjoying the essential drawing bridges. There are more than 300 bridges in Saint Petersburg, each with its own style and size. We suggest you to join a night cruise, where you can see 4 remarkable main bridges (the Blagoveshchensky Bridge, the Palace Bridge, the Trinity Bridge, and the Foundry Bridge) draw at night and enjoy the lights of the city with great music. This St. Petersburg tour will conquer you with its beauty!