Guide: all countries » Russia » Saint Petersburg » Architecture

Excursion tour in Saint Petersburg. Top architecture - monuments, castles, temples and palaces

«« BEGINNING - PART I

Video of flights over top monuments of Saint Petersburg in HD format.
Use 'Full Screen' mode.
Saint Isaac Cathedral, Winter Palace, Kazan Cathedral, Alexandrinsky Theatre, Smolny Cathedral, Trinity Cathedral, and Yubileyny Sports Palace are the next landmarks in the review. Just like in the beginning of the review, we have prepared a collection of historic facts and some awesome photographs for each of these top architecture monuments of Saint Petersburg. Don’t forget to admire the look of these sights from a bird’s eye view. This view is available in the flyover video of the architectural skyline of Saint Petersburg. After such a guide, it won’t be a hassle to make up a great plan of a real-life excursion tour in Saint Petersburg. Ready, steady, go!

Saint Isaac Cathedral, Saint Petersburg

Location on the map:   Facts:
» The Saint Isaac Cathedral is the largest Orthodox church in St. Petersburg and the unique architectural structure dominating in the downtown.
» The height of the cathedral is 101.5 m, the length and width is about 100 meters.
» The building of the cathedral is decorated with 112 monolithic granite columns of different size; statues representing 12 of the Holy Apostles are located on the corners and the tops of the gables.
» The Saint Isaac Cathedral has the unique collection of monumental painting of the first half of the 19th century, 150 panels and pictures.
» Construction of the cathedral lasted as much as 40 years. This was due to the fact that a soothsayer predicted to architect Auguste Montferrand his death immediately after the completion of the Saint Isaac Cathedral. Therefore, the architect didn’t rush with construction; he really lived a little less than a month after consecration of the cathedral.

Winter Palace, Saint Petersburg

Location on the map:   Facts:
» The Winter Palace is the former grand residence of Russian emperors.
» Currently, the Winter Palace is part of the State Hermitage Museum and is the largest building of the museum complex.
» The building of the Winter Palace consists of 1,084 rooms, 1,945 windows and 117 stairs (including secret ones).
» The most important events related to the history of Russia are associated with the Winter Palace, as private life of Russian monarchs took place there.
» Surviving palace interiors have not only artistic, but also historical value.

Kazan Cathedral, Saint Petersburg

Location on the map:   Facts:
» The Kazan Cathedral is the outstanding monument of architecture and fine art in Russia.
» The cathedral was built in the first half of the 19th century in the Empire style imitating the temples of the Roman Empire.
» The Kazan Cathedral is richly decorated outside and inside with sculptures created by Russia's best sculptors.
» An integral part of the interior of the cathedral is painting of the iconostasis of, the walls, and dome poles.
» The main treasure of the temple is a revered copy of the Our Lady of Kazan.

Alexandrinsky Theatre, Saint Petersburg

Location on the map:   Facts:
» The Alexandrinsky Theatre is one of the oldest theaters in Russia that has survived to these days.
» This theater is considered the mother of all Russian theaters and the date of its foundation is a birthday of Russian professional theater.
» The Alexandrinsky Theatre premiered almost all works by Russian drama classics.
» After the reconstruction in 2005-2006, the Alexandrinsky Theater was restored in its historic appearance.
» Currently, the Alexandrinsky Theatre has become one of the most advanced venues in terms of modern engineering of stage.

Smolny Cathedral, Saint Petersburg

Location on the map:   Facts:
» The Smolny Cathedral is part of the architectural ensemble of the Smolny Convent.
» The cathedral was built only in 1835, although its construction began, when Elizabeth was the heiress to the throne in 1748.
» Currently, the Smolny Cathedral is also a concert venue of classical music.
» The monastery built in the style of magnificent baroque has Greek cross form with a central cathedral inside and four churches in the corners.
» The Smolny Cathedral is one of the pinnacles of world architecture notable for its picturesque expressive compositions and outdoor decoration.

Trinity Cathedral, Saint Petersburg

Location on the map:   Facts:
» The Trinity Cathedral is the architectural monument of late classicism. It got its name by Izmailovo Regiment, one of the oldest in Russia.
» The cross-shaped stone cathedral is crowned with five massive domes. The dome is painted with gold stars on a blue background on the personal instructions of Nicholas I given in 1826.
» The temple was built in the Empire style.
» At the time of the consecration the cathedral was the largest in Russia. Today, the temple can accommodate more than 3,000 people.
» One of the most revered shrines of Trinity Cathedral is the icon of the Holy Trinity painted in the 15th century.

Yubileyny Sports Palace, Saint Petersburg

Location on the map:   Facts:
» The Yubileyny Sports Palace is one of the most popular sports and entertainment facilities in the center of St. Petersburg.
» The sports facility accommodating 7,012 visitors has diameter of 94 meters.
» The complex was built in 1967 and was named in honor of the 50th anniversary of the Soviet authorities.
» There is the indoor ice rink open for the public as a part of the sports complex, as well as various sports and athletic dancing groups.
» From 2007 to 2009, Yubileyny Sports Palace was renewed. Currently, the complex regularly hosts not only sporting events, but also concerts, exhibitions and corporate events.
Saint Petersburg - guide chapters 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

Plan your own tour over Saint Petersburg on the monuments map

More to see in Saint Petersburg
A starting point in the exploration of the great city of Saint Petersburg is considered to be the Palace Square being the heart of the city. The square is crowded at any time of day and night. This spot of tourist attraction is turned into established place of holding of various folk fests, parades, the greatest fairs meanwhile during winter the square is turned into a huge skating rink. In the heart of the square tourists will find the Alexander Column being one of the main symbols of the city. In close vicinity to the square tourists will discover several remarkable historical sites. The Alexander Column reminds local residents and city guests about a significant event in the life of the city being the victory of the Russian army over the army led by Napoleon Bonaparte. The magnificent Winter Palace is among the most beautiful architectural construction of Saint Petersburg. The same impressive building being the General Staff stands opposite to the Winter Palace on the other side of the Palace Square. Both of the scale constructions are interconnected with each other with a system of underpasses. The Winter Palace hosts the most known museum of the country being the Hermitage. This cultural establishment is among of the top outstanding cultural establishments of the world. The museum features not only plenty of unique artifacts of Russian art and culture but a splendid breath taking decoration of the building and its inner halls. Each element of the design of the Hermitage … Read further

Tours through neighbours of Saint Petersburg

Helsinki
Every year, the sacrament - the queen’s coronation - is held at the city cathedral. One of the 10 beauties had been selected by vote before. After the coronation, the maiden in a white dress with a crown and lighted candles goes to the square with her friends. There was a church at one time. It was dismantled and the territory was extended to construct a new church. The construction lasted 22 years. The updated church was finished in 1852. ... Open »
Tallinn
The five-domed cathedral is located on a small hill and is seen from afar. The Alexander Nevsky Cathedral was built and blessed by the bishop in 1990. The wonder-working icon of the Mother of God was delivered for the ceremony. The allocations of the Synod were not sufficient for the construction. The missing amount was collected in Rus. The sacred house is a reminder of saving royal figures after the train accident. The ethereal defender of ... Open »
Riga
Riga Cathedral is one of the oldest attractions in Riga and all the Baltic States. Rigas Domes is translated from Latin as “The House of God”. The first stone was solemnly laid on 25 June 1211. This ceremony was visited by the first bishop Albert von Buxthoeven. The construction of the cathedral was completed in 1270. Over the centuries, the cathedral had been destroyed and reconstructed many times, so its exterior combines features of ... Open »
Moscow
The Kremlin is the oldest part of the city, the main socio-political and historical-artistic complex of the city, the official residence of the President of the Russian Federation. Existing walls and towers of Kremlin were built in 1485 - 1516. The total length of the walls is 2,235 m, the height is of 5 to 19 m, and the thickness is from 3.5 to 6.5 m. Walls form an irregular triangle. There are 20 towers along the walls. Three towers standing ... Open »
Vilnius
The temple of God was built at the site of the Pagan temple, which is reflected in the masonry of the 13th century. The nobles were crowned in the old Vilnius Cathedral. The eminent nobles are buried in underground tombs (there are over 20 tombs). Nowadays, public ceremonies are held here. Over the years of its existence, the building was repeatedly destroyed in a fire and rebuilt. The cathedral has gained the highest status, a small basilica. ... Open »
Secure Connection
Main Office
Weegschaalstraat 3, Eindhoven
5632 CW, The Netherlands
+31 40 40 150 44


Terms of Service | Privacy Policy | About us
Copyright © 2002 - OrangeSmile Tours B.V. | Incorporated by IVRA Holding B.V. - Registered in The Dutch Chamber of Commerce (Kamer van Koophandel KvK, The Netherlands) No. 17237018