Museums of St. Petersburg present a wide range of cultural and historical treasures, from rare works by Impressionists to Egyptian artifacts and scientific curiosities.

St. Petersburg’s top museums are the Hermitage, Peter & Paul Fortress, Yusupov Palace, Russian Museum, St. Isaac’s Cathedral and Church of the Savior on the Spilled Blood. Besides you will also find here the Museum of Photography, Museum of Water Supply and Pumping, Museum of Theatre and Music, Museum of Defense & Seige of Leningrad, Museum of Political History, Museum of Bread, Russian Vodka Museum and many others.

The suburbs of St Petersburg with their magnificent palaces and parks are unmissable. A trip to Pushkin, Pavlovsk, Peterhof, Oranienbaum or Gatchina is a rewarding and memorable experience.

The Hermitage Museum

The Hermitage Museum is an essential stop for all those interested in art and history. Founded by Russian Empress Catherine the Great in 1764, the Hermitage is one of the oldest and largest art museums in the world. Its exposition is displayed in 6 magnificent buildings, including the Winter Palace, former residence of Russian Emperors. The museum’s collection numbers over 3 million items ranging from prehistory to the present. Along with unique collections of jewelry, coins, antique sculptures and thousands of art objects from Central Asia, India, China, Egypt, the Hermitage houses outstanding collection of West European paintings. http://www.hermitagemuseum.org/

Peter & Paul Fortress

St. Petersburg’s birthplace, Peter & Paul Fortress was founded by Peter the Great in 1703.  The city began to grow rapidly around the fortress. This great military installation never happened to play a military role and was soon turned into a political prison, where many prominent Russians were kept. Nowadays, along with fortifications, museums and galleries on the grounds of the fortress you can visit St. Peter & Paul Cathedral, the burial place of Romanov Royal Family from Peter the Great onwards. In 1998 the remains of the last Russian Emperor Nicholas II and his family were buried in St. Catherine’s Chapel.

http://www.spbmuseum.ru/

St. Isaac’s Cathedral

The former main cathedral of the Russian Empire, St. Isaac’s Cathedral is one of the largest domed cathedrals in Europe. It can accommodate about 14,000 people. The cathedral was designed by Auguste Montferrand and built between 1818 and 1858. It was named after St. Isaac of Dalmatia as a tribute to Peter the Great who was born on the day of this saint. The interior is decorated with marble, semi-precious stones, mosaics, paintings and gold-plated sculptures. After visiting St. Isaac’s cathedral climb to its dome for a stunning panoramic view of St. Petersburg.

http://www.cathedral.ru/

Yusupov Palace

The exquisite Yusupov Palace was the venue for receptions and balls attended by the imperial family, foreign diplomats and such outstanding figures as Ferenz Liszt and Fyodor Chaliapin. The palace is also known as the setting for an event of a very different kind - the murder of Rasputin in December 1916.Yusupov Palace has retained aristocratic atmosphere; it becomes a place for various cultural events: musical concerts, charity balls and theatre performances.

http://www.yusupov-palace.ru/

Church of the Savior on the Spilled Blood

One of the most

remarkable St Petersburg sights, this “Moscow-style” church was built right on the spot, where Emperor Alexander II was fatally wounded by a terrorist bomb. It was closed during the Soviet times and opened to visitors in 1997.

http://www.cathedral.ru/

Peterhof

Peterhof, a town of palaces, parks and fountains is located on the shore of the Gulf of Finland 30 km west of St. Petersburg.  Founded by Peter the Great as “Russian Versaille”, Peterhof became the main imperial summer residence. The main structure of the Lower Park’s unique fountain system is the Great Cascade.  Constructed under the directions of Peter the Great, it was meant to introduce Russia as a strong sea power.

http://www.peterhof.ru/

Pushkin

Located 25 km south of St. Petersburg Pushkin, also known as “Tsarskoe Selo” (Tsar’s Village), is a town of former summer imperial palaces and parks. Its major attraction is Catherine’s Palace, a virtual masterpiece of Russian Baroque, contains royal treasures – Russian and European paintings, fine furniture, clocks, and unique collections of porcelain, bronze and sculpture. The legendary Amber Room, an amazing post-WWII reconstruction, is a gem of the palace. The surrounding parks with ponds, statuary, pavilions and bridges take you back to the times of Russian emperors.

http://eng.tzar.ru/