St.Petersburg has about 50
working museums, the majority of which levies an entry charge. As a rule,
foreign tourists are charged more than the Russian.
ARTS
THE STATE HERMITAGE MUSEUM
The State Hermitage is one of the
oldest and largest museums in the world. The museum is located in 5
historical buildings of St.Petersburg, including the Winter Palace - the
former residence of Russian tsars. The buildings of the museum, by
themselves, are architectural chef d'oeuvres. The collections of The
Hermitage number over 3 million items from prehistoric to modern times.
Magnificent works of art embracing prehistoric culture, Egyptian art, the
art of Antiquity, Scythian gold, and great collections of Western-European
paintings and sculptures are displayed in
400 halls of the museum.
Open: 10.30 - 17.00, SUN till 16.00.
Closed on MON.
34 Dvortsovaya nab., tel. 110-9625.
Nevskiy Prospekt
MENSHIKOV PALACE
Occupies the first stone building
erected in St.Petersburg (architects G.Fontana and J.Schedel) - the palace
of the first city's general governor A.D.Menshikov. In the building,
original fragments of the interiors of the XVIII century have been preserved,
among them the famous Dutch tiles. Exhibition of The State Hermitage Museum,
dedicated to Russian culture of Peter I's age, has been open to the public.
Open: 10.30 - 16.30. Closed on MON.
15 Universitetskaya nab., tel.
323-1112.
Vasileostrovskaya
THE STATE RUSSIAN MUSEUM
Opened in 1898 in the Mikhaylovsky
Palace (architect C.Rossi). The museum numbers nearly 400,000 exhibits. It
is the largest in the country collection of Russian art, from ancient icons
to the Avant-garde painting of the XX century.
Open: 10.00 - 17.00, MON till 16.00.
Closed on TUE.
2 Inzhenernaya ul., tel. 595-4248.
Gostinyy Dvor, Nevskiy Prospekt
THE MARBLE PALACE
An architectural monument of the
middle of the XVIII century (architect A.Rinaldi). Over 30 tints of marble
were used for the decoration of the palace, hence the name Marble Palace,
which was bestowed by delighted contemporaries. Main exhibitions: "Foreign
Artists in Russia" (the XVIII-XIX centuries), "Peter Ludvig Museum in the
Russian Museum".
Open: 10.00 - 17.00, MON till 16.00.
Closed on TUE.
5/11 Millionnaya ul., tel. 312-9196.
Gostinyy Dvor, Nevskiy Prospekt
INZHENERNY (MIKHAYLOVSKY) CASTLE
The castle was constructed to protect
the Russian emperor, Paul I. Ironically, it was here where he was
assassinated the night of March 12, 1801. Since 1817, the castle housed an
Engineering School, which was attended by many great Russian figures of the
past, including the writer F.M.Dostoyevsky. Permanent exhibitions: portrait
gallery of Russian public figures of the XVIII-XIX centuries, and exposition
of sculptural portraits of the XVIII century.
Open: 10.00 - 17.00, MON till 16.00.
Closed on TUE.
2 Sadovaya ul., tel. 313-4173.
Gostinyy Dvor, Nevskiy Prospekt
THE RUSSIAN ETHNOGRAPHICAL MUSEUM
The exhibitions of the Museum
illustrate the everyday life and culture of the peoples of Russia in the
XIX-XX centuries. The collections of the museum number over half a million
exhibits. In the Golden Room, visitors will see decorations, armaments, and
cult objects, made of precious stones.
Open: 10.00 - 17.00. Closed on MON
and on the last FRI of every month.
4/1 Inzhenernaya ul., tel. 313-4320.
Gostinyy Dvor, Nevskiy Prospekt
ST.ISAAC'S CATHEDRAL,
MUSEUM-MONUMENT
One of the finest architectural
monuments of the XIX century (architect A.Montferrand), the former principal
cathedral of the Russian capital, the largest cathedral in town able to
accommodate about 10,000 audience. The cathedral is graced with 112 solid
granite columns weighing up to 114 tons each, and about 400 relieves and
bronze sculptures. The observation platform on the colonnade provides a
magnificent view of the city.
Open: 11.00 - 18.00. Closed on WED.
1 Isaakievskaya pl., tel. 315-9732.
Gostinyy Dvor, Nevskiy Prospekt
MUSEUM-MONUMENT "OUR SAVIOR ON THE
BLOOD"
Built in 1907 as memorial church to
honour Russian emperor Alexander II, just on the spot of crucial terroristic
attempt upon him. A sample of "Russian style" architecture and decorative
art at the edge of the XIX - XX centuries. Mosaic attire of the church (over
7,000 sq.m) was created to the design of 30 artists, among them V.Vasnetsov,
M.Nesterov, A.Ryabushkin, V.Belyaev, N.Kharlamov.
Open: 11.00 - 18.00. Closed on WED.
Griboedova Kanala nab., tel.
315-1636.
Nevskiy Prospekt, Gostinyy Dvor
ST.PETERSBURG MUSEUM OF THEATRICAL
AND MUSICAL ARTS
The collection of the museum numbers
over 400,000 exhibits, including unique photographs and documents, sketches
of scenery decorations and sheet music, original belongings of great Russian
artists.
Open: 11.00 - 18.00, WED: 13.00 -
19.00. Closed on TUE.
6 Ostrovskogo pl., tel. 311-2195.
Gostinyy Dvor, Nevskiy Prospekt
MUSEUM OF MUSIC IN SHEREMETEV
PALACE (FONTANNY DOM)
Architectutal momument of the XVIII
century (architect S.Chevakinskiy) - the core of town property belonged to
Count Sheremetevs. In the gala halls, now open after the long restoration,
things from the Sheremetevs' collections (decorative and applied art of the
XVII-XX centuries) are placed, and also private collections bestowed to the
museum in 1990s. Sheremetev Palace harbours Petersburg Collection of musical
instruments (3,000 items), among these ones made by famous craftsmen and
played by famous musicians, and historical rarities. In the White Hall,
symphonical, choral, and chamber music concerts are held.
Open: 12.00 - 18.00.
Closed on MON, TUE, and on the last
WED of every month.
34 Fontanki Reki nab., tel. 272-4441.
Mayakovskaya, Gostinyy Dvor
MEMORIAL APARTMENT-MUSEUM OF
F.I.SHALYAPIN
Dwells at the house where the great
Russian opera singer lived during 1914-1921. On display: personal effects,
documents, photographs, theatrical costumes, scenery sketches. Opening of
the exposition, after lingering restoration, was timed to the 125th
anniversary from the birth of the singer.
Open: 12.00 - 18.00. Closed on MON,
TUE, and on the last FRI of every month.
2-B (russ. "Be") Graftio ul., tel.
234-1056.
Petrogradskaya
APARTMENT MUSEUM OF
N.A.RIMSKY-KORSAKOV
The only museum in St.Petersburg in
memory of a composer, it is situated in the apartment where Rimsky-Korsakov
spent the last
15 years of his life, 1893-1908.
Authentic interior of 4 rooms has been preserved: compositor's study,
parlour, dining-room, and hall. On WED, SAT, SUN, concerts are held there.
Open: 10.00 - 18.00. Closed on MON,
TUE, and on the last FRI of every month.
28 Zagorodnyy pr. Detached house in
the inner yard, tel. 113-3208.
Vladimirskaya, Dostoevskaya
THE MUSEUM OF THE RUSSIAN ACADEMY
OF FINE ARTS
The museum is located in the
historical building of the Academy of Fine Arts. One of the oldest buildings
in St.Petersburg, it has been in operation since 1757, displaying art of the
Russian academic and the Soviet schools of painting. In the museum,
temporary exhibitions of students' final examination works are regularly
held.
Open: 11.00 - 18.00. Closed on MON,
TUE.
17 Universitetskaya nab., tel.
323-6496.
Vasileostrovskaya
APPLIED ART MUSEUM AT
ST.PETERSBURG
ARTISTIC-INDUSTRIAL ACADEMY
Established in 1878. The museum's
building is an original sample of architectural style "historicism" (architect
M.Messmacher). Its inner decoration reflects almost all historical epochs
and art styles. The collection numbers ca. 30,000 items of applied art dated
from Antiquity till nowadays.
Open: 11.00 - 17.00.
13-15 Solyanoy per., tel. 273-3258.
Chernyshevskaya
ELAGINOOSTROVSKY PALACE-MUSEUM
The Elaginoostrovsky Palace occupies
the central place in the magnificent palace-and-park ensemble, created in
the early
XIX century by the architect C.Rossi.
The palace houses an exhibition of former imperial residence gala halls.
Open: 10.00 - 17.00. Closed on MON,
THU.
1 Elagin Ostrov, tel. 430-1131.
Staraya Derevnya
THE MUSEUM OF URBAN SCULPTURE
The museum is located on the grounds
of the Alexander Nevsky Lavra, and displays monumental sculpture and
tombstones. Many eminent figures of Russian science and culture (Lomonosov,
Dostoyevsky, Tchaikovsky, Glazunov, Rimsky-Korsakov) and representatives of
the Russian aristocracy were buried in the Lavra's Necropolis of the
XVIII-XX centuries.
Open: 10.00 - 19.00. Closed on THU.
179/2 Nevskiy pr., tel. 274-2635.
Ploshad Aleksandra Nevskogo-I and -II
MUSEUM NECROPOLIS (LITERATORSKIYE
MOSTKI)
The burial place of prominent writers,
artists, and public figures.
Open: 10.00 - 19.00. Closed on THU.
30 Rasstannaya ul., tel. 166-2383.
Ligovsky Prospekt
HISTORY
THE PETER AND PAUL FORTRESS
The Museum of St.Petersburg History
Peter and Paul Fortress was founded
by Peter I in 1703. Besides the ancient fortifications, on the grounds of
the fortress one can visit the Sts Peter and Paul Cathedral of the early
XVIII century (architect D.Trezzini) with the burial vault of Peter the
Great and other Russian tsars, the museum in Trubetskoy bastion prison,
expositions: "The History of St.Petersburg", "The History of the Imperial
Mint", "Pechatnya" (Printing Workshop), museum on cosmonautics and missilery;
excursion route "Panorama of the Neva" - over the roofs of the fortress'
bastions and curtains. By booking beforehand, the collection of open
furniture storage is available.
Open: 11.00 - 17.00, TUE till 16.00.
Closed on WED and on the last TUE of
every month.
3 Petropavlovskaya Krepost, tel.
238-4540.
Gorkovskaya
THE CABIN OF PETER THE GREAT
Constructed for Peter the Great in
May 1703; the first building in St.Petersburg. The exhibition of the museum
contains home utensils of the beginning of the XVIII century including
personal belongings of Peter the Great, and describes Russian victories in
the Northern War of 1700-1721.
Open till November 1: 10.00 - 17.30.
Closed on TUE and on the last MON of every month.
6 Petrovskaya nab., tel. 232-4576.
Gorkovskaya
THE CENTRAL NAVAL MUSEUM
Located in the historical building of
the Stock Exchange, designed by the architect T. de Thomon, constructed in
the beginning of the XIX century. The world's largest naval museum, the
oldest Russian museum, founded in 1709. The museum numbers over
800,000 items, including "the
Grandfather of the Russian Navy" - the old boat of Peter the Great, models
of vessels, examples of armaments and military machinery, marine paintings.
Open: 10.30 - 16.45.
Closed on MON, TUE, and on the last
THU of every month.
4 Birzhevaya pl., tel. 328-2501.
Vasileostrovskaya
MILITARY-HISTORICAL MUSEUM OF
ARTILLERY, ENGINEERS AND SIGNAL CORPS
The world's largest martial museum.
Located in the building of the old Arsenal. The collection of the museum
numbers about
500,000 items: examples of armaments,
military uniforms, banners, orders, battle relics of the Russian Army.
Open: 11.00 - 17.00.
Closed on MON, TUE, and on the last
THU of every month.
7 Alexandrovskiy park, tel. 238-4704.
Gorkovskaya
MUSEUM ON BOARD THE CRUISER AURORA
A battleship of the Russian Navy put
on eternal mooring. The museum exhibition illustrates the Aurora's
participation in the Tsushima battle of the Russo-Japanese War of 1904-1905,
as well as its revolutionary activities in the beginning of the XX century
and its participation in the World War II, 1941-45.
Open: 10.30 - 16.00. Closed on MON,
FRI.
Petrogradskaya nab., tel. 230-8440.
Gorkovskaya
MUSEUM ON BOARD THE ICE-BREAKER
KRASIN
An ice-breaker built in England by
the order of Russia in 1916 (to the design of Admiral S.O.Makarov) and
baptized as "Svyatogor". Later, its name was changed for "Krasin" to
memorize L.B.Krasin who was a trade representative of Russia while building
and did much to help payment for the ship. "Krasin" is a living legend of
Russian ice-breaking fleet. Museum exposition is dedicated to rescueing
Umberto Nobile expedition, escorting Arctic Convoys during the World War II,
and research activity of the ice-breaker.
Open: 10.00 - 17.00.
Closed on MON.
22 Leytenanta Shmidta nab., tel.
324-9448.
Vasileostrovskaya
THE STATE MUSEUM IN MEMORY OF
A.V.SUVOROV
The first memorial museum in Russia.
Opened in 1904 at the house purposedly built (architect A.Gogen) on private
donations. At present, after 10-year works, interiors of all the halls are
restored. On display: personal belongings of the great warrior, paintings,
graphics, numismatics, armaments, rare books, costumes, utensils. Totally,
more than 100,000 items.
Open: 10.00 - 17.15, SAT, SUN: 10.00
- 18.15, MON: 10.00 - 16.15. Closed on THU, WED, and on the last MON of
every month.
43 Kirochnaya ul., tel. 279-3914.
Chernyshevskaya
THE HISTORICAL MEMORIAL MUSEUM
SMOLNY
The building was constructed in the
early XIX century (architect G.Guarenghi). It is connected with many turning
points in the history of the country and the city. The complex of the museum
includes the historical hall which has seen many prominent figures of
Russian culture and education and where, in 1917, the victory of the October
revolution was proclaimed, the memorial study and apartment where V.I.Lenin
lived in 1917-1918, and exhibitions "Smolny Institute for Gentle Families'
Girls", and "Smolny. The Days of the Siege".
Open: 11.00 - 16.00. Tours only.
Closed on SAT, SUN.
Room 137, 3 Proletarskoy Diktatury pl.,
tel. 276-1321.
Chernyshevskaya
APARTMENT MUSEUM OF THE ELIZAROVS
This museum was opened in 1927. In
its disposal, there is a lot of exhibits and documents relevant to life and
activity of V.I.Lenin in Petrograd in 1917, his family entourage, political
figures of the age. The only apartment museum in St.Petersburg, having
completely preserved the interior and furniture of an apartment typical for
Petersburg intelligentsia at the end of the XIX - beginning of the XX
century.
Open: 10.00 - 18.00.
Closed on WED, SUN.
52, Shirokaya (former Lenina) ul.
apt.24, tel. 235-3778.
Petrogradskaya
THE MUSEUM OF THE POLITICAL
HISTORY OF RUSSIA
(former Museum of the October
Revolution)
On display: original objects,
documents, photographs dedicated to the Russian history of the XIX-XX
centuries, thematic exhibition on the life story of an outstanding Russian
ballerina M.Kshessinskaya, the former owner of the mansion. New exposition "Deeming
on the State Duma" elucidates the history of Russian parliamentarism in the
XX century.
Open: 10.00 - 17.00. Closed on THU.
2/4 Kuybysheva ul., tel. 233-7052.
Gorkovskaya
RUMYANTSEV MANSION
A branch of the Museum of
St.Petersburg History
The mansion bears the name of one of
its owners - Count N.P.Rumyantsev, the founder of the famous Rumyantsevsky
Museum which was located in the mansion's premises in the first half of the
XIX century. Nowadays, the exhibition "Leningrad in the Second World War" is
held in the building, displaying over 2,000 relics of war times: unique
documents and photographs, examples of arms and ammunition, personal
possessions of Leningraders and the defenders of the city during the
900-days siege.
Open: 11.00 - 17.00, TUE till 16.00.
Closed on WED and on the last TUE of
every month.
44 Angliyskaya nab., tel. 311-7544.
Nevskiy Prospekt
MONUMENT TO THE HEROIC DEFENDERS
OF LENINGRAD
This memorial is dedicated to the
900-days unprecedented heroic defence of the city in the World War II,
1941-1945. Consists of an obelisk, sculptural composition, and an
underground Memorial Hall, where original documents and items of that time
are displayed.
Open: 10.00 - 18.00, TUE, FRI till
17.00.
Closed on WED and on the last TUE of
every month.
Pobedy pl., tel. 293-6563.
Moskovskaya
THE MUSEUM OF ST.PETERSBURG PRESS
HISTORY
The museum's exhibition illustrates
the history of the St.Petersburg press, from the middle of the XIX till the
early XX centuries.
Open: 11.00 - 18.00, TUE till 16.00,
FRI till 17.00.
Closed on WED and on the last TUE of
every month.
32 Moyki Reki nab., tel. 312-0977.
Gostinyy Dvor, Nevskiy Prospekt
THE MUSEUM OF S.M.KIROV
S.M.Kirov was one of the most
well-known Bolsheviks, who headed the Leningrad Regional Committee of the
Communist Party from 1926 to 1934. The atmosphere of the life and the work
of S.M.Kirov, one of the most popular political leaders of that time, is
being kept in the memorial part of his apartment.
Open: 11.00 - 18.00, FRI till 17.00.
Closed on WED and on the last TUE of
every month.
26/28 Kamennoostrovskiy pr., tel.
346-0217.
Gorkovskaya, Petrogradskaya
THE MEMORIAL MUSEUM OF LENINGRAD
DEFENCE AND THE SIEGE
The collection of the museum contains
original documents, and possessions of townspeople and soldiers which were
preserved and later presented to the museum by Leningraders.
Open: 10.00 - 17.00. Closed on WED
and on the last THU of every month.
9 Solyanoy per., tel. 275-7208.
Chernyshevskaya
NATURAL SCIENCES
THE MUSEUM OF ANTHROPOLOGY AND
ETHNOGRAPHY
NAMED AFTER PETER THE GREAT -
KUNSTKAMERA
(The Chamber of Curiosities)
The collection stems from the
exhibits of the first Russian museum - Kunstkamera, founded by Peter I. Over
1 million articles telling about lifestyle of different peoples of the world.
Many of them are unique.
Open: 11.00 - 16.30.
Closed on MON and the last THU of
every month.
3 Universitetskaya nab., tel.
328-1412.
Vasileostrovskaya
THE MUSEUM OF THE ARCTIC AND
ANTARCTIC
The only museum in the world
dedicated to the nature of the Arctic and Antarctic, the history of
expeditions to the North and South Poles.
Open: 10.00 - 16.15. Closed on MON,
TUE.
24-A Marata ul., tel. 311-2549.
Mayakovskaya, Vladimirskaya, Dostoevskaya
BOTANICAL GARDEN & MUSEUM OF
V.L.KOMAROV BOTANICAL INSTITUTE OF THE RUSSIAN ACADEMY OF SCIENCES
Botanical Garden
One of the oldest Russian botanical
gardens, founded by the order of Peter the Great in 1713. Its territory
covers 23 ha with 10 ha of conservatories. The collection numbers over
12,000 species of plants, among them tropical and subtropical plants
collection is one of the largest in the world.
Conservatories are open: 11.00 -
16.00. Closed: on FRI.
2 Professora Popova ul., tel.
234-1764.
Petrogradskaya
Botanical Museum
The oldest scientific department of
the Botanical Institute, founded in 1823. Unique collection contains over
120,000 specimens of wood, fruit, seeds, and various goods and products made
from plants.
Open: 11.00 - 17.00 on WED, SAT, SUN.
2 Professora Popova ul., tel.
234-8470.
Petrogradskaya
THE MUSEUM OF RAILWAY TRANSPORT
One of the oldest technical museums
in the country. On display: unique exhibits, illustrating the history of
railway transport in Russia from the very beginning; some mechanisms and
machines are still in working order. Collection of models of bridges,
including the bridges of St.Petersburg.
Open: 11.00 - 17.30. Closed on FRI,
SAT, and on the last THU of every month.
50 Sadovaya ul., tel. 315-1476.
Sadovaya, Sennaya Ploshad
THE ZOOLOGICAL MUSEUM
One of the largest in the world. The
scientific collection of the museum numbers 17 million species, 500,000 of
which are on display.
Open: 11.00 - 17.00. Closed on FRI.
1 Universitetskaya nab., tel.
328-0112.
Vasileostrovskaya
LITERATURE
THE INSTITUTE OF RUSSIAN
LITERATURE
(Pushkinskiy Dom)
The largest in Russia collection of
manuscripts, iconographic, memorial, and historical materials on Russian
culture of the XVIII-XX centuries. Located at the former housing of the old
customs.
Open: 10.00 - 17.00. Tours only.
Closed on SAT, SUN.
4 Makarova nab., tel. 328-0502.
Vasileostrovskaya
ALEXANDER PUSHKIN APARTMENT MUSEUM
The last residence of the Russian
poetic genius. This is also where he died on January 29, 1837, after his
duel. The exhibition displays original books and home utensils, personal
possessions of the great poet, the original furnishings. - the bicentenary
from the birth of A.S.Pushkin, literary-monographical exposition is arranged
in
18 halls: "Pushkin. Life and Creative
Activity".
Open: 11.00 - 17.00. Closed on TUE
and on the last FRI of every month.
12 Moyki Reki nab., tel. 314-0006,
311-3531.
Gostinyy Dvor, Nevskiy Prospekt
FYODOR DOSTOYEVSKY LITERARY AND
MEMORIAL MUSEUM
Arranged according to the original
interior design of the great writer's last apartment. On display: documents,
photographs and personal belongings of the writer. The exhibition outlines
Dostoyevsky's life and work.
Open: 11.00 - 17.30. Closed on MON
and on the last WED of every month.
5/2 Kuznechnyy per., tel. 311-4031.
Vladimirskaya, Dostoevskaya
ANNA AKHMATOVA MUSEUM, FONTANNY
DOM (HOUSE)
The exposition is dedicated to the
life and work of the famous poetess, and is located in the apartment where
she lived from 1924 to 1952.
Open: 10.30 - 17.30. Closed on MON
and on the last WED of every month.
34 Fontanki Reki nab. (a wing of the
Sheremetevskiy Palace),
tel. 272-2211.
Gostinyy Dvor
ALEXANDER BLOK APARTMENT MUSEUM
Located in the house where A.Blok
lived in 1912-1921. Here he wrote the majority of his most famous lyrics,
poems and articles. The exhibition displays books, autographs, historical
photographs and personal belongings of the poet.
Open: 11.00 - 17.00, TUE till 16.00.
Closed on WED and on the last TUE of
every month.
57 Dekabristov ul., tel. 113-8633.
Sennaya Ploshad, Sadovaya
VLADIMIR NABOKOV MUSEUM
Placed in the house where the
prospective writer was born in 1899 and where his childhood and youth passed,
his first poetic collection was composed. The house in Bolshaya Morskaya
Street gave the scene for quite a few works of Nabokov's fiction.
Open: 11.00 - 17.00. Closed on MON,
TUE.
47 Bolshaya Morskaya ul., tel.
315-4713.
Nevskiy Prospekt
MUSEUMS & PALACE-AND-PARK
ENSEMBLES
OF ST.PETERSBURG SUBURBS
Town Gatchina
THE PALACE-AND-PARK ENSEMBLE
GATCHINA
The palace-and-park ensemble consists
of the Gatchina Palace (architect A.Rinaldi, 2nd half of the XVIII century),
and the park - the first landscaped park in Russia. The palace throughout
its history was the residence of the Russian emperors Paul I nicknamed "the
most romantic Russian Emperor", and Alexander III. On display: gala halls of
the XVIII century, exhibition of Western-European and Russian paintings and
arms of the XVII-XIX centuries. The romantic feature of Gatchinsky Palace is
an underground tunnel to the lake. The pride of the park are the unique
pavilions "Beriozovy Dom" ("Birch House") and "Pavilion Venery" ("Pavilion
of Venus").
Open: 10.00 - 17.00. Closed on MON
and on the first TUE of every month.
Tel. (271)134-92
Suburban trains from Baltiyski
railway terminal to the Gatchina-Baltiyskaya station (45 km from
St.Petersburg; travel time - about one hour); 431 bus or charter taxi from
Pobedy pl. ( Moskovskaya).
Town Lomonosov
THE PALACE-AND-PARK ENSEMBLE
ORANIENBAUM
The palace-and-park ensemble on the
southern shore of the Gulf of Finland opposite the town-fortress Kronshtadt
(architects D.Fontana and J.Schedel). In 1743, Oranienbaum became the summer
residence of the future emperor Peter III. A fortress ensemble with a petite
palace was constructed for him to the design of architect A.Rinaldi. Later,
A.Rinaldi was commissioned by the Empress Catherine the Great to erect the
Chinese Palace and the Katalnaya Gorka (Sliding Hill) with a pavilion. The
architectural style of these monuments is distinguished by the subtle blend
of elegant rococo style with traces of classicism. Oranienbaum is famous for
its landscape parks dating back to the middle of the XIX century. During the
winter, the following palace-museums are available to visit: the palace of
Peter III, the Japanese Pavilion of the Bolshoy (Menshikovsky) Palace,
exhibition halls in the Kavalersky Block and the Chinese Kitchen Pavilion,
an exhibition in the central building of the Bolshoy (Menshikovsky) Palace.
Open: 11.00 - 17.00, MON till 16.00.
Closed on TUE and on the last MON of
every month.
Tel. 422-3753.
Suburban trains from Baltic Station
terminal to the Oranienbaum station (40 km from St.Petersburg; travel time -
about one hour); 431 bus or charter taxi from Pobedy pl. (
Moskovskaya).
Town Pavlovsk
THE PALACE-AND-PARK ENSEMBLE
PAVLOVSK
This is a superb palace-and-park
ensemble of the late XVIII - beginning of the XIX centuries which was used
as a summer residence of the Russian emperor Paul I and his family. The
landscape park, one of the largest in Europe, covers the area of 600 ha. The
works on the palace-and-park ensemble on the winding banks of the Slavyanka
river lasted for 50 years. Architects: Ch.Cameron, V.Brenna, G.Guarenghi,
A.Voronikhin, C.Rossi, sculptors M.Kozlovsky, I.Martos, I.Prokofiev,
F.Gordeyev, G.Demut-Malinovsky. The formation of the collections of the
Pavlovsky Palace was closely connected with the trip of its owners over
Europe in 1781-1782. They visited workshops of well-known artists, ordering
and acquiring paintings, furniture, bronze articles, silk fabrics, china
sets etc. They brought to Russia a large number of antique sculptures from
Italy, as well as gifts from European royal courts. The museum also displays
an excellent collection of portraits by Russian artists and a number of
Pavlovsk landscape paintings and drawings. Residential Rooms of Empress
Maria Fedorovna decorated by architects Guarenghi and Voronikhin at the
beginning of the XIX century and enrapturing with their harmonious beauty,
are open to the public. After essential restoration, the library by Rossi is
open. The library was built in 1824 for the Empress Maria Fedorovna to host
abundant collection of books and rarities.
Open: 10.00 - 17.00. Closed on FRI
and on the first MON of every month.
Tel. 470-2156.
Suburban trains from Vitebsk Station
terminal to the Pavlovsk station
(27 km from St.Petersburg; travel
time - about 30 minutes); or 479 bus from
Zvezdnaya.
Town Pushkin
THE PALACE-AND-PARK ENSEMBLE
TSARSKOYE SELO
The Palace-and-Park ensemble of
Tsarskoye Selo - a former country residence of Russian emperors -
is a fascinating monument of the
world's architectural and gardening arts of the XVIII-XIX centuries. Its
three parks occupy the area of 600 ha, on which over 100 architectural
constructions rise: from magnificent palaces and grand monuments to intimate
pavilions and park sculptures. The compositional centre of the Tsarskoselsky
ensemble is Catherine's Palace, containing exquisite decorative objects,
furniture, Russian and Western-European paintings, unique collections of
porcelain, amber, arms, decorative bronze, sculptures etc. Nowadays, the
collection of the museum Tsarskoye Selo numbers about 20,000 items. The
Tsarskoselsky Lyceum, an elite school established in Russia in the beginning
of the XIX century for noble families offsprings which the great Russian
poet A.S.Pushkin attended, is situated next to the palace.
The exposition "Recollections in the
Alexander's Palace" is open in the last residence of Russian emperors,
architectural chef d'oeuvre of the XVIII century (architect G.Guarenghi). In
its 12 halls, with authentic or partially reconstructed attire, artworks
like paintings, graphics, decorative and applied art, costumes, personal
belongings etc. are represented, related to the life of its crowned owners.
Catherine's Palace open: 10.00 -
17.00.
Closed on TUE and on the last MON of
every month.
Tel. 466-6669.
The exhibition in Alexander's Palace
open: 10.00 -16.30. Closed on TUE.
Tel. 466-6669.
Suburban trains from Vitebsk Station
terminal to the Detskoye Selo station (25 km from St.Petersburg; travel time
- about 30 minutes); followed by 371, 382 bus-routes to the parks;
alternatively 287 bus or 20 charter taxi from Pobedy pl. (
Moskovskaya).
Town Peterhof
THE PALACE-AND-PARK ENSEMBLE
PETERHOF
Peterhof is a jewel of the Russian
art, a town of parks, palaces, and fountains. In the past it used to be an
exquisite summer residence of Russian tsars. Verkhniy (Upper) Garden and
Nizhniy (Lower) Park, genuine masterpieces of landscape design, number over
150 fountains,
5 monumental cascades. In August
2000, after 60 void years, the Lviniy (Lion's) Cascading Fountain was
launched again, the second as of its size. On the territory of the reserve,
9 working museums (the Grand Palace, Monplaisir, Catherine's Block, Marli,
Hermitage, the church of St.Alexander Nevsky (Gothic Capella), the Benois
family museum, Cottage, and the Bath Block (where the restoration of
Tafeldecker and Kaffeeschenk Rooms and The Kitchen was recently completed)
are open to the public.
The Grand Palace museum is open:
10.30 - 17.00. Closed on MON and on the last TUE of every month.
Tel. 420-0073.
Other museums are open on SAT and SUN:
10.30 - 17.00.
Suburban trains from Baltic Station
terminal till the Novy Peterhof station
(40 km from St.Petersburg; trip time
- about 40 minutes); followed by 348, 350, 351, 352, 356 bus-routes or
charter taxi to Verkhny Park.
Settlement Strelna
PALACE OF PETER THE GREAT
Wooden palace was built in 1716 as
bivouac palace for Peter I and later redesigned by the architect
F.B.Rastrelli. The palace makes a significant mark at Peterhof Road
landscape. Since June 2000, the historical and artistic museum is open here
which is now the main information center on Strelna history. Permanent
exposition introduces "The History of the Palace, Strelna, and its owners.
Exhibition of the interior of the XVIII century".
Open: 10.30 - 17.00.
Closed on MON and the last TUE of
every month.
Settlement Strelna, 2 Bolnichnaya
Gorka ul., tel. 421-4131.
Suburban trains from Baltic Station
terminal to the Strelna station (30 km from S.Petersburg, trip time 25 min.);
alternatively, charter taxis from
Baltiyskaya or Avtovo.
Settlement Repino
COUNTRY-SEAT OF I.E.REPIN "PENATES"
Unique spot of Russian culture
situated in a picturesque village Kuokkala, where the great Russian artist
I.E.Repin spent his last 30 years. The museum was established in 1940.
Residential rooms' interiors and the studio of the great painter were
reconstructed. Among the exhibits, there are personal belongings of Repin,
and over 100 artworks. Cosy park where the alleys were laid, ponds and
artesian well dug, summer houses built, existed when Repin was still alive.
Big alley of birch-trees leads to the artist's tomb.
Open: 10.30 - 16.00. Closed on TUE.
Settlement Repino, 411 Primorskoye
shosse, tel. 231-6834.
Suburban trains from Finland Station
terminal to the Repino station (45 km from S.Petersburg, trip time 50 min.);
alternatively, from Chernaya
Rechka by 411 bus.
Town Vyborg
MUSEUM AND NATURAL PRESERVE "PARK
MONREPOS"
Historical, architectural, and
natural museum and preserve situated on the coast of the Bay Zashchitnaya of
the Vyborgskiy Gulf covers the area of 163 ha. During about two centuries
(1788-1943), Park Monrepos belonged to the family of Barons Nicolai, whose
progenies contributed the glory of Russian State. Manor and park ensemble
created at the edge of the XVIII-XIX centuries is the historical core of the
preserve. It comprises Main House and the Library Outbilding, nice examples
of wooden architecture styled in classicism, and romantic landscape park
with its rocks and boulders. Architects D.Martinelli, A.Montferrand,
A.Stackenschneider, Ch.Tatam, artists J.Mettenleiter, P.Gonzago designed the
park layout. Natural preserve lies in a particular geographical zone, unique
Ice Age stone ridges up to 20 m high in it, and is able to boast of 48
species of plants including very rare, and rich wildlife.
Open: 10.00 - 18.00.
Tel. (278) 20-539.
Bus, or suburban train from Finland
Station terminal, till Vyborg (trip time about 2 hours), then city bus
routes No. 6, 206.
|