Many a traveller has visited this city, the “Venice of the North” as Peter the Great would have viewed it. And it is a remarkable city indeed. Here are some of the highlights of the city.
** Rivers & Canals **
Saint Petersburg was built across the marshlands of the Neva River delta. Many cities close to rivers or the sea differ from Saint Petersburg, as this beautiful city has been specially designed to incorporate the rivers and the canals into its makeup and character. There are close to 100 tributaries and canals, with an approximate length of about 300 Kilometres of water, and over 800 bridges that criss cross throughout the city. There is even one location where you can spot up to 7 different canals at the same time. Many of the city’s impressive buildings are found in the city centre, with examples like the Hermitage Museum one of the favourites to visit, or even pass by on a river cruise.
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Neva River This major shipping route and slow flowing river, is a waterway used for both pleasure and shipping, and runs from Lake Ladoga right through the city and flows into the Gulf of Finland. |
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Moyka River This is one of the first narrow rivers to be encased in granite embankments, and it encircles Saint Petersburg’s main central island. |
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Fontanka River This river was for many years the river that served as Saint Petersburg’s city limits. Today you will find many palaces and mansions and some of the cities most beautiful bridges crossing the Fontanka river. |
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Griboedov Canal The river that splits two different historic areas of the city, the aristocratic centre and the poorer Kolomna district. Travelling down this river will bring you past the Church of the Saviour on the Spilled Blood, one of Saint Petersburg’s most famous churches. |
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Kryukov Canal Running through the south of the centre and connecting the Griboedov Canal and the Moyka and Fontanka Rivers, the Kryukov Canal passes several stunning buildings, one of which is the world famous Mariinsky Theatre. |
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Karpovka River This narrow river bisects the Petrograd Side, and is known for its grassy banks where the Convent of St. John of Rila and the Botanical Garden are located. |
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Smolenka River This short river is the “internal” waterway of Vasilievsky Island. It takes its name from the old Smolenskoe Cemetery through which it flows, and which is one of St. Petersburg’s most wildly picturesque spots. |
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Zimnyaya Kanavka (Winter Canal) A very short (only 220 meters) but beautifully proportioned and romantic canal flowing below elegant bridges between the buildings of the Hermitage and into Neva River. Many great photographs have been taken here. |
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Lebyazhya Kanavka (Swan Canal) This short and straight canal runs between two of St. Petersburg’s best-known and most beautiful green spaces, the Field of Mars and Summer Garden. |
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Chernaya Rechka (Black River) A small river in a mostly industrial area in the north of the city, the Black River is best known for the fact that the tragic duel of the great poet Alexander Pushkin took place on its banks. |
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Okhta River St. Petersburg’s second river had a rich history long before the city was founded, with iron age settlements and medieval Swedish fortresses built along its banks. |
** Other sights to see **
The short history of Saint Petersburg as a city has given it a wealth of architectural and artistic treasures. A city consisting of many palaces, museums and winding canals, there are some amazing sights to see. The Hermitage, St Isaac’s Cathedral, The Mariinsky Theatre, are just some of the places to visit, and don’t forget a visit to the Summer Palace, also known as Peterhoff. It is still considered Russia’s Cultural Capital, and is worthy of a few days of sight seeing and tourist activities.
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Palaces Saint Petersburg has many palaces, thanks to Catherine the Great who had many different projects to build palaces across the city. The Winter Palace might be the most famous, but don’t forget a visit to the Summer Palace called Peterhoff which is a short boat ride away from the city. |
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Famous Buildings Throughout the city you will find numerous famous buildings, including one which was the Singer building on Nevsky Prospect (the Manufacturer of the famous sowing machines). The architecture will stun tourists with the masterpieces spanning 3 centuries of styles and trends, and from the many different public buildings, to schools, and army barracks, Saint Petersburg truly is a city of fame and architectural glory! |
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Mansions and Villas Hidden away in-between the canals and away from prying eyes, there exists many mansions and villas which form the private homes from pre-Revolutionary times. Some are very extravagant and others are not, but the Imperial palaces have always been filled with character and originality. |
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Apartment Buildings Saint Petersburg has a culture of residents living in apartments, starting from the later parts of the 18th century. Some of these even include some of the cities most attractive architecture and unusual building styles. |
Religious Sights Religious toleration is in abundance with the city filled with Cathedrals, Churches, Parish Churches, even a large Mosque and a Monastery or two. They all form part of a city filled with culture and diversity! |
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Parks Parks form a big part of the summer culture. And even in the winter months with snow covering the ground in many places, the people of Saint Petersburg will wander outside to use their ski’s and ice skates on one of the many frozen water features in the city. Petrovskiy park, the Botanic Gardens and even Yekateringof – are just one of the many parks and gardens to be found throughout the city |
