| St. Petersburg is the second biggest city in Russia after Moscow with over 4 million residents, and Europe's largest city after Istanbul, London and Moscow. Saint Petersburg is a major European cultural centre, and Russia's important seaport on the Baltic Sea. It welcomes hundreds thousands of visitors annually. The Hermitage - the world's biggest museum - is placed in Saint Petersburg. Having been Russia's cultural and political centre for 2 centuries, the city is sometimes called in Russia the Northern Capital. For ages, it has also been referenced as 'the Venice of the North'. A large number of overseas consulates, international companies, banks and other businesses are located in Saint Petersburg.
Surely, one of the best ways to enjoy the magnificent view of the city of canals and rivers is to take a boat ride. More than 70 rivers and canals wind their way through the whole city, with around 400 bridges crossing them. The unique view of the 'Venice of the North' is made up by the looming silhouettes of the bridges, the magnificence of the canals, the granite embankments with their piers and slipways, the 18th and 19th century palaces and green parks on the banks of the River Neva and the canals, architectural landmarks in the form of domes and spires of churches and cathedrals, visible from faraway.
You can also enjoy the view the city in a car or a mini van, guided by a qualified guide. You will see St. Petersburg most popular sights - starting with the grandeur of St. Isaac's Cathedral, geometry of Palace Square, visiting the oldest construction of Saint Petersburg - the Peter and Paul Fortress and the Cathedral - the burial hurdle of the Romanovs.
Every tourist to the city should go on an excursion to the Hermitage. These days, the Hermitage Museum contains approximately 2.7 million museum exhibits and displays a full selection of world art from Ancient Egypt to early twentieth century Europe. There are masterpieces by Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, Raphael, Titian, unique collections of Rembrandt, Rubens, French Impressionists. The collection is immense and worth seeing. It has been estimated that if you decide to spend a minute in front of each exhibit, you will stay in the museum for 11 years, but on the guided tour you have the opportunity to see all the greatest masterworks of art in several hours, being accompanied by a knowledgeable travel guide.
There is much more to see in this beautiful city. |
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