| St. Petersburg is Russia's second biggest city after Moscow with 4.6 million inhabitants, and Europe's biggest city after Istanbul, London and Moscow. Saint Petersburg is Europe's major cultural centre, and an important Russian seaport on the Baltic Sea. It warmly welcomes thousands of tourists every year. St. Petersburg is home to the world's biggest museum – the Hermitage. Russia's cultural and political centre for two centuries, the city is sometimes referred to in Russia as the Northern Capital. Over its history it has also been referenced as 'the Venice of the North'. A lot of overseas consulates, international agencies, financial institutions and other businesses are placed in St. Petersburg.
Definitely, one of the best ways to enjoy the magnificent view of the city of rivers and canals is by boat. Over 70 canals and rivers make their way through the city, with about 400 bridges crossing them. The unique appearance of the 'Venice of the North' is created by the looming silhouettes of the bridges, the grandeur of the waterways, the granite embankments with their slipways and piers, the 18th and 19th century palaces and green parks on the banks of the Neva and the canals, architectural landmarks in the form of domes and spires of cathedrals and churches, visible from faraway.
You can also explore the city from the comfort of a vehicle, accompanied by a well-qualified guide. You will see St. Petersburg most popular places of interest - beginning with the grandeur of St. Isaac's Cathedral, geometry of Palace Square, visiting the oldest building of St. Petersburg - the Peter and Paul Fort and the Cathedral - where the Romanovs were buried.
Every tourist to the city should visit the Hermitage. Nowadays, the Hermitage contains approximately 2.7 million exhibits and displays a full selection of world art. There are masterworks by Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, Raphael, Titian, unique collections of Rubens, Rembrandt, French Impressionists. The collection is huge and well worth seeing. It has been estimated that if you decide to spend only one minute in front of each exhibit, you will stay in the Hermitage museum for eleven years, but on the guided tour you have the chance to see all the greatest masterworks of the world's art in several hours, being guided by a fully qualified guide.
There is far more to see in this fantastic city. |
Article Details