Bucket list experience:
St Petersburg, Northwestern Region, Russia
The Statue of Catherine the Great, in a small square just off Nevsky Prospekt
St. Petersburg’s history is also that of the Romanovs, the dynasty that ruled Russia from 1613 to 1917. For two centuries these lavish and colourful rulers left their indelible imprint on the city and its environs, beginning in 1613 with Peter the Great. His yearning for access to the Baltic Sea determined the city’s strategic location at the mouth of the Neva River, and it was his fascination with Western Europe which gave the city its look and feel.
Peter’s daughter Elizabeth took a city made of stone and gilded it with gold. This expansive empress, famous for her 5,000 dresses, many lovers, and frequent bouts of religious guilt, commissioned Italian Bartolomeo Rastrelli to design some city’s most iconic Baroque buildings, including the Hermitage, Smolny Cathedral, Peterhof, and the Catherine Palace.
Catherine, Elizabeth’s successor, and those that came after her, maintained the city’s place at the forefront of trade, creating a glittering social scene and cultural hub, until the downfall of Nicolas II at the hands of the Russian revolution in 1917.
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Destination Guide >St. Petersburg , Northwestern Region, Russia
Celebrating the city’s founder, Tsar Peter the Great, this impressive equestrian statue is one of the city’s most loved, and was opened to the public in 1782.
Best for ages: 13+ | Free
St. Petersburg, Northwestern Region, Russia
One of the city’s only traditional Russian churches, built on the spot of the assassination of Tsar Alexander II 1881, it is also the most beautiful, with jaw-dropping gold-leaf interiors.
Best for ages: 14+ | £5
St. Petersburg, Northwestern Region, Russia
A summer palace that’s a showcase for the grandeur of Imperial Russia, and a fascinating insight into the gilded lives of the Tsars.
Best for ages: 13+ | £10
St. Petersburg , Northwestern Region, Russia
Discover the art of Peter Carl Faberge, creator of the Imperial Easter Eggs, in the museum dedicated to his craft.
Best for ages: 8+ | £5
Our writer’s picks of the best places to stay near this experience, closest first
St. Petersburg , Northwestern Region, Russia
Enjoy the convenience of a central location, in-room amenities, and friendly staff at a very affordable price.
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St. Petersburg, Northwestern Region, Russia
Incomparable elegance, comfort, and service await at the Four Seasons Lion Palace, just steps from the Hermitage.
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St. Petersburg , Northwestern Region, Russia
St. Petersburg’s grand dame, a 5-star luxury hotel that harps back to more graceful, elegant age.
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St. Petersburg , Northwestern Region, Russia
One of the city’s oldest and most elegant places to stay in the city, it offers luxury accommodation and an excellent location.
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Destination guides including or relevant to this experience
Northwestern Region, Russia
On the shores of the Baltic, Russia’s dazzling cultural capital is a treasure trove of art, music, literature, and history.
