Saint Petersburg was founded in 1703 by Tsar Peter the Great. During the following two centuries, when Saint Petersburg was the capital of Russia, the city quickly developed into one of the world’s most magnificent cities thanks to the construction of impressive edifices such as the Winter Palace, the Admiralty, and the St. Isaac’s Cathedral.
Despite the many monumental buildings the city has an unmistakable charm thanks to the numerous channels and bridges which give Saint Petersburg a romantic flair.

Saint Petersburg was founded in 1703 by Tsar Peter the Great. During the following two centuries, when Saint Petersburg was the capital of Russia, the city quickly developed into one of the world’s most magnificent cities thanks to the construction of impressive edifices such as the Winter Palace, the Admiralty, and the St. Isaac’s Cathedral.
Despite the many monumental buildings the city has an unmistakable charm thanks to the numerous channels and bridges which give Saint Petersburg a romantic flair.
- Saint Petersburg sights & attractions
- Map with attractions in Saint Petersburg
- Saint Petersburg building list
- Saint Petersburg facts & figures
HermitageЭрмитаж
The State Hermitage Museum is one of the largest and oldest museums in the world and…
PeterhofПетергоф
Peterhof was built in the early eighteenth century by tsar Peter the Great as a magnificent…
Palace SquareДворцовая площадь
The magnificent Palace Square forms the heart of historical St. Petersburg. Surrounded by some of the…
Church of the Savior on Spilled BloodХрам Спаса-на-Крови
The magnificent Church of the Savior on Spilled Blood is one of St. Petersburg’s most memorable…
St. Isaac’s CathedralИсаакиевский собор
St. Isaac’s Cathedral is a colossal, domed cathedral built in the nineteenth century after a design…
Rostral ColumnsРостральные Колонны
The two monumental red-painted columns in front of the Naval Museum symbolized the naval power of…
Bronze HorsemanМедный Всадник
The equestrian statue of Peter the Great, known as the Bronze Horseman, is a tribute to…
Russian MuseumРусскнй Музей
St. Petersburg’s Russian Museum was established in the late nineteenth century by Emperor Nicholas II as…
AdmiraltyАдмиралтейcтво
One of St. Petersburg’s oldest structures, the Admiralty was created by Peter the Great and originally…
Nevsky ProspektНевский Проспект
The most famous street in Russia, Nevsky Prospekt is renowned for its fine architecture and famous…
Peter and Paul FortressПетропавловская крепость
The building of the Peter and Paul Fortress in 1703 marks the founding of the city…
Peter and Paul CathedralПетропавловский собор
The Peter and Paul Cathedral is an early eighteenth-century cathedral with a lavish Baroque interior. Peter…
AuroraАврора
A former Russian naval ship that has played an important part in the country’s history, the…
Smolny MonasteryСмольный Монастырь
The interesting blue color of the Smolny Monastery makes it easily recognizable. At the center of…
St. Isaac’s SquareИсаакиевская Площадь
St. Isaac’s Square was laid out during the reign of Tsar Nicholas I. The equestrian monument…
Mikhailovsky CastleМихайловский Замок
The Mikhailovsky Castle was built at the end of the eighteenth century as the official residence…
Cabin of Peter the GreatМузей-домик Петра I
Shortly after founding the City of St. Petersburg in 1703, Peter the Great lived in a…
Alexander Nevsky MonasteryАлександеро-Невская лавра
One of St. Petersburg’s most visited attractions, the Alexander Nevsky Monastery complex was once home to…