Formally the capital of Russia, St. Petersburg contains a strong blend of politics and culture. Often referred to as the Venice of the North, the city has a beauty and spirit all its own. A city that captivates travelers, St. Petersburg, Russia is filled with tourist attractions that are perfect for sightseeing.
St. Isaac’s Cathedral
One of St. Petersburg’s most extravagant attractions is St. Isaac’s Cathedral, which is located in the heart of the city. Once the largest cathedral in Russia, St. Isaac’s Cathedral is a unique combination of architectural styles and art forms. The cathedral’s interior is embellished with luxurious materials, including marble, lapis lazuli, and malachite. Adorning the cathedral are rich stained glass windows and intricately detailed mosaics. St. Isaac’s Cathedral also contains statues of trumpeting angels and beautiful golden fountains. By climbing the stairs of the cathedral, tourists can get a wonderful panoramic view of the city of St. Petersburg. For the art lover, St. Isaac’s Cathedral displays magnificent examples of Russian artwork and serves as its own living museum.
Monument to Catherine the Great
St. Petersburg, Russia contains various monuments to prominent historical figures. One of the most famous of these monuments is the monument to Catherine the Great, which is located in a square near the Alexandrinsky Drama Theater and the Russian National Library. The monument depicts the reign of Catherine the Great, which is considered to be a magnificent era in Russian history. Created in 1873, the bronze statue shows Catherine the Great in her ceremonial gown, holding a scepter in one hand and an olive wreath in the other. Surrounding the statue of Catherine the Great are statues of other prominent figures from her reign. As a whole, the display is a beautiful symbol of royal power and how it relates to Russian history.
Dostoyevsky Memorial Museum
One of Russia’s most prolific writers, Fyodor Dostoyevsky set many of his novels in the city of St. Petersburg. For those travelers who are interested in viewing a literary display, the Dostoyevsky Museum is an ideal tourist attraction. The Dostoyevsky Memorial Museum is located in the apartment where the famous writer last lived, which gives travelers the opportunity to explore the author’s life firsthand. The museum contains numerous displays that directly relate to Dostoyevsky’s life and work, including autographed books and photographs, illustrations, portraits, and manuscripts. Restored for the 150th anniversary of the author’s death, the apartment is the place where Dostoyevsky wrote his final novel, The Brothers Karamazov. The museum also displays exhibits of the author’s personal belongings that were given to the museum by descendents of the writer. The Dostoyevsky Museum also contains a cinema, which shows movie adaptations of the author’s work.
Summer Garden
The Summer Garden was founded in St. Petersburg, Russia in 1704. Overseeing the planning of the garden, Peter the Great used strict geometric rules in the garden's design. The garden contains beautiful rare plants and exotic flowers, along with numerous statues and fountains. Italian sculptors created the statues in the Summer Garden, and many of the statues exhibit mythological themes. The garden also consists of the Summer Palace, which was the private residence of Peter the Great. Surrounded by the Neva and the Fontanka rivers, the Summer Garden is the ideal place for taking pleasant, peaceful walks.
