Saint Petersburg: Water, Architecture and History
Accommodation in Saint Petersburg
Saint Petersburg’s historic centre is shaped by the interplay of architecture and waterscapes. The port city and former capital rises from the Neva estuary, where the Neva meets the Gulf of Finland. Its network of canals, streets and embankments developed gradually from the reign of Peter the Great (1682–1725). The city’s history can be explored in different ways: on walks, through its buildings and in its art collections.
A cityscape of water and architecture
A walk along Nevsky Prospekt takes you past tall buildings. The avenue did not become the city’s main east–west axis until 1738. On Vasilyevsky Island, the 6th and 7th Lines form a street that is partly intended for pedestrians. Both examples offer a starting point for different impressions of the urban landscape, without requiring the same kind of walk.
St Isaac’s Cathedral makes a striking architectural statement. It is Saint Petersburg’s largest Orthodox church and an outstanding example of Late Classicism, with Neo-Renaissance, Byzantine and Eclectic features. Those interested in architectural history can make these varied styles a focus of their trip.
The fortress and architectural history
Peter I founded the Peter and Paul Fortress in 1703. It is a monument to fortress architecture from the 18th to the 20th century. The Peter and Paul Cathedral is considered Saint Petersburg’s oldest church and is an architectural monument of Petrine Baroque. On a guided tour, visitors can climb the bell tower and enjoy panoramic views of the city from a height of 43 metres. Check the current tour dates in advance.
The fortress grounds and its beach are open for free visits; check the latest access information before visiting. Part of the underground passageways can also be explored. The entrance to a postern is in the Tsar’s Bastion. These options differ from the guided tower climb: a section of the passageways is specified, while access to the bell tower is by guided tour.
Art collections and historic houses
The Russian Museum brings together art and architecture. Its collection comprises more than 450,000 exhibits and spans Russian art from the 10th to the 21st century; it is considered the world’s largest museum of Russian art. The main retrospective is housed in the Mikhailovsky Palace and the Benois Wing. The complex is located in the historic centre and brings together notable monuments of palace architecture, garden design and landscape art. For your planning, the architectural setting is a focus in its own right, alongside the art collection.
The Kunstkamera also tells the story of museums: it is the successor to Russia’s first state public museum, founded by Peter I in 1714. The Menshikov Palace, in turn, was built for Alexander Danilovich Menshikov, a confidant of Peter I and Saint Petersburg’s first governor. It is considered the city’s first stone building and was built in the Petrine Baroque style. At the Hermitage Theatre, Giacomo Quarenghi carried out Catherine II’s commission between 1783 and 1789; the theatre was built on the site of Peter I’s former Winter Palace.
Gardens and other cultural sites
The Summer Garden brings together garden and political history. In 1704, Peter I had a large garden laid out for himself, modelled on the celebrated Western European parks of its time; he designed the first plan himself. A few years after it was created, the Summer Garden became a centre of political and official life, as well as court ceremonies and celebrations. The Anna Akhmatova Museum: Silver Age has nine exhibition halls and a lecture and concert hall. The cruiser Aurora became one of Saint Petersburg’s first museum ships. These places offer different themes, from court history and literature to the history of the city.
When looking for a holiday apartment, you can start by deciding what kind of trip you want: should walks and urban architecture, museums and art, or historic sites take centre stage? These themes can help guide your plans without suggesting that one focus suits every traveller.
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