St. Petersburg was built in 1703AD by Peter the Great to serve as a window and launching point into Europe. In the time that has past since, this city has developed into a magnificent destination combining both European charm, and the Petrine Baroque architecture for which the city is so well known. St. Petersburg goes by many names including City of the Tsars, and Venice of the North, so named for its endless canals and bridges. No matter the name, St. Petersburg has hundreds of attraction to choose from including:
The Historic City Center: The center of St. Petersburg was Russia’s political and cultural center for several centuries, and is wonderfully showcased by the unique mixture of Baroque, neoclassical and Russian influenced palaces, churches and federal buildings. The city center is a UNESCO designated World Heritage Site, and a magnificent area of the city to explore by foot.
St. Isaac’s Cathedral: St. Isaac’s was built in the early half of the 19th century by French-born architect Auguste Montferrand. At the time, the cathedral was the largest in Russia and housed some of the finest facades, sculptures, and mosaics in the region. Known for its massive golden gilded dome, this cathedral offers pristine views of the city and houses a fine museum outlining its construction and history.
