4-day cultural trip to Saint Petersburg
1 cities |
11 attraction(s) |
total distance 65
km
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Day1
Day2
Day3
Day4
Day1: Saint Petersburg
4 attraction(s) ·
5 km
1
The Savior on Blood Cathedral was built from 1883 to 1907 to commemorate Tsar Alexander II. Alexander II, the eldest son of Nicholas I, realized after the Crimean War in February 1855 that the Russian Empire was on the brink of social collapse. He then embarked on the most important social, political, and economic reforms of his lifetime, strengthening Russian unity and expanding Russian influence. In 1881, the revolutionary group "People's Will" assassinated Alexander II, who was known as the liberator of the people, leading to his death.
The cathedral features exquisite mosaics and murals. Although not very large, it is beautiful. The structure of the cathedral to a large extent imitates the Assumption Cathedral on Moscow's Red Square, with numerous colorful domes that make it a common motif on postcards of St. Petersburg. Next to the cathedral is the entrance to the Mikhailovsky Garden, behind which is the Russian National Museum. After visiting, you can continue north through Mikhailovsky Garden and then enter the Summer Garden for further exploration.
1
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2
Neva Street is the liveliest and busiest street in St. Petersburg. It is home to the largest bookstores, food stores, department stores, and the most expensive shopping centers in the city. Additionally, you can also enjoy various churches, famous residences, and historical landmarks.
2
km
3
Bronze Horseman
The Bronze Horseman is the earliest statue in Russia, also known as the Bronze Peter the Great Statue. Inscribed on the pedestal is "In memory of Peter the Great by Catherine II in August 1782". It is a symbol of St. Petersburg and takes its name from Pushkin's poem "The Bronze Horseman". Erected on August 7, 1782, it was ordered to be built by Empress Catherine the Great to commemorate Peter the Great. The carving process took 12 years, and the pedestal itself is a 40-ton granite block, which took 5 months to transport to St. Petersburg. Peter the Great is depicted riding on a horse, with the image of the horse's hooves raised high, emphasizing movement. The statue is located on Decembrists' Square, between St. Isaac's Cathedral and the Neva River. It was created in 1782 by French sculptor Falconet. The horse that Peter the Great rides represents Russia, with its feet raised as if breaking through all obstacles, and there is a trampled snake under the horse's feet, representing the conservative forces that tried to stop Peter the Great's reforms. In 1834, a large square was opened around the Bronze Horseman, named Senate Square because of its proximity to the Senate, which was built by the famous architect Rossi from 1829 to 1834. In 1925, the Soviet Union renamed the square Decemberists' Square in honor of the Decemberist uprising in December 1825. After the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1992, the old name "Senate Square" was reintroduced, but the people of St. Petersburg still prefer to call it Decemberists' Square.
3
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4
The Winter Palace Square in St. Petersburg is magnificent. At the Hermitage Museum inside the Winter Palace, I was captivated by the art treasures and took a moment to rest in the corridor. As I turned my head to look outside, I saw the Alexander Column standing tall on the opposite square, with the grand silhouette of the Winter Palace Arch behind it. The imposing yellow Admiralty Building resembled huge wings. The white columns, bronze equestrian statues, and arched vaults echoed the green and white facade of the Winter Palace, creating a surreal illusion. Sitting on the steps at the edge of the square, I felt tiny, like a mere speck or a mark on the moss-covered stairs. In the center of the square stands the Alexander Column, erected to commemorate Alexander I and the victory in the war against France in 1812. The granite column is 47.5 meters high, with a diameter of nearly 4 meters and a total weight of 600 tons. Remarkably, it stands without any external support, relying solely on its own weight. The Russians didn't miss the opportunity to showcase their creativity on the top of the column, where an angel holding a cross is depicted stepping on a snake symbolizing the enemy.
Day2: Saint Petersburg
3 attraction(s) ·
56 km
1
Peterhof, also known as the "Peter's Palace", is famous for its Summer Palace. It was built in 1710 as the residence of the tsars, similar to China's Chengde Mountain Resort. Originally a small wooden house, it was later expanded by Peter the Great. The Summer Palace, also known as the "Capital of Fountains", is one of the most luxurious palaces in Russia, with over 60 fountains made of pure gold. It is often referred to as "Russia's Versailles" due to its magnificent architecture. Visitors can explore the Upper Garden, the Grand Palace, and the Lower Park. The main road in the Lower Park is called the "Sea Channel", which leads to the Baltic Sea. In summer, people enjoy sitting by the sea and taking boat tours back to the city center. The fountains are closed from October to late May, with corresponding opening and closing ceremonies.
53
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2
Peter and Paul Fortress was originally built on May 27, 1703, which is the birthday of the city of St. Petersburg. The military fortress was originally built to defend St. Petersburg against Swedish attacks, but later became a prison for political prisoners. The fortress was initially made of wood, but later Peter the Great ordered it to be rebuilt with stone. Upon entering the fortress, you will pass through the Neva Gate, and the Peter and Paul Cathedral is located in the center of the fortress. The golden spire of the cathedral is 122.5 meters high and is often seen on postcards, symbolizing Russia's gateway to the Baltic Sea. The cemetery of the cathedral is the burial place of all the rulers of Russia from Peter the Great to Nicholas II. There is also a modern statue of Peter the Great in the fortress, don't forget to shake his hand and take a photo.
4
km
3
St. Isaac's Cathedral in St. Petersburg was built in 1818 and took 40 years to complete, so it was finished in 1858. The cathedral stands at a height of 101.5 meters and has an interior area of over 4,000 square meters. The current cathedral is the fourth one, as the site originally housed a wooden church built in 1707 that went through several reconstructions. Tsar Peter I established a competition in 1818 to redesign the cathedral, with the winning design by the French architect Montferrand. He used solid brick and stone construction to ensure stability and reduce the impact of rainfall on the building. Tsar Nicholas I commissioned even more luxurious designs, which caused delays, extending the construction period by approximately 5 years.
The stone used for the cathedral was sourced from quarries near Vyborg (then part of the Finnish territory), requiring special ships and trains to transport the materials from Finland to St. Petersburg. Visitors can purchase tickets to go up to the dome of the cathedral and enjoy a panoramic view of the entire city of St. Petersburg, which is particularly beautiful when the weather is clear. It is recommended to walk south after visiting the Winter Palace, as the cathedral's dome can be seen from Palace Square.
Day3: Saint Petersburg
2 attraction(s) ·
2 km
1
Pushkin City (Tsarskoye Selo) is located 24 kilometers south of St. Petersburg. Since 1710, this place belonged to Catherine I, the wife of Peter the Great. After 1725, it became one of the largest imperial palaces. In 1728, it was named "Tsarskoye Selo". In 1756, the Catherine Palace, with its Baroque style, was built here. Later, the Alexander Palace, the Concert Hall, and the Amber Room were also constructed, all of them magnificent. In 1937, to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Pushkin's death, Tsarskoye Selo was renamed Pushkin City. Every first Sunday of June, his birthday is celebrated here in a grand manner.
2
km
2
Catherine Palace (Екатерининский дворец) is located in Pushkin, Russia. It is a Baroque-style palace and was built in 1717 by Peter the Great for his wife, later known as Catherine I. In 1752, their daughter, Empress Elizabeth, found the palace outdated and had it demolished. A new Baroque-style palace was then built, using over 100 kilograms of gold. However, even after Catherine the Great (Catherine II) ascended the throne, she still considered it not fashionable enough and made extensive modifications and expansions to the palace, both inside and outside.
Day4: Saint Petersburg
2 attraction(s) ·
4 km
1
Cruiser Aurora
The Aurora cruiser is now a museum, exhibiting over 500 documents and photos related to its participation in battles and its role in deciding the fate of Russia. It is well known for its involvement in the October Revolution and firing the first shot, but it has a long and storied history. Launched in 1900, it served in the Russian Navy from 1903, participated in the Russo-Japanese War, made multiple visits as a representative of the Russian Navy, and later served as a training vessel. It also took part in both World Wars, bravely fighting during the Siege of Leningrad before being sunk, salvaged, and restored in 1944 to become a museum. In 1992, it was once again hoisted with the naval flag, becoming a symbol of the Russian Navy.
The Aurora cruiser, known for firing at the Winter Palace and starting the Russian Revolution (October Revolution), is moored at the confluence of the Neva River and Great Neva River in St. Petersburg. It was built in 1900 and later served as a training ship. The cruiser is now a branch of the Central Naval Museum, and visitors can buy tickets to board and explore. The Aurora cruiser is a popular tourist attraction in St. Petersburg and should not be missed when visiting Russia.
The Aurora cruiser, built in 1900, has a length of 124 meters, width of 16.8 meters, 44 large cannons, a displacement of approximately 7,000 tons, and a top speed of 19 knots. "Aurora" means "dawn" or "daybreak." In Roman mythology, "Aurora" is the goddess of dawn who awakens people and brings forth the light.
4
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2
Summer Garden
The Summer Garden is a beautiful symmetrical garden, ordered to be built by Peter the Great in 1704. It is Russia's earliest well-planned garden. Originally designed as a royal summer residence, the park was closed to the public and could only be visited by invitation from Peter the Great.
Today, the Summer Garden is one of the most beautiful places in St. Petersburg. At the entrance, there is a huge pond where beautiful swans are kept during the summer and autumn. Along the avenue behind the pond, there are numerous statues, although they are replicas of the surviving ones, they still complement the beauty of the Summer Garden. The first palace in St. Petersburg was not the Winter Palace, but the Summer Palace located at the northeast corner of the Summer Garden. On the other side of the canal next to the Summer Garden is the Field of Mars, where there is a cluster of eternal flame in the center to commemorate the soldiers who sacrificed their lives in the 1917 revolution and subsequent civil war.