Top Rated Attractions in St Petersburg

Dedicated to Tsar Alexander II, whose rule marked the beginning of a liberated livelihood for enslaved serfs, the Church of the Savior on Blood commands undivided attention with its location on the Moyka River embankment. The beautifully ornate church was built on the same spot where the beloved Tsar was assassinated by revolutionaries in 1881, and as an ode to the Russian ruler, the church's granite-paneled facade tells a riveting story of Alexander II's dutiful reign. Studded with exquisite detailing, gleaming cupolas, and a facade awash with a splash of colors, the church's unique architectural style sets it apart from St Petersburg's other, less theatrical structures. The cathedral is lavishly encrusted with a dazzle of semi-precious stones like topaz, crystal and jasper, all set on a paneling made of Italian limestone. Within the church, casting a mellow glow over the prayer hall, the roof is adorned with a tapestry of frescoes and mosaics, based on paintings of Vasnetsov, Nesterol and Vrubel. Spread over an area of more than 7500 square meters (80,729 square feet), the mosaic collection is deemed to be among the largest of its kind in all of Europe. The Church of the Savior on Blood is emblematic of unbeatable hope following a trying time in Russian history, a symbol that took nearly 24 years to build.

Created for and mainly addressing children, the Puppet Fairy Tale Theatre was founded by actresses Yekaterina Chernyak, Yelena Gilodi and Olga Lyandsberg in 1944. The first show took place on 31 December, and this anniversary is celebrated annually with a new premiere. The theatre has 24 shows in its repertoire, from various corners of the globe, and they are known for their innovative design, with actors interacting with puppets on stage. The company consists of 20 actors, four of which are Merited Artists, and has toured all over the world. Its directors are rightfully considered the country's best puppet masters. Please call or check the website for details of current performances.

Established by Catherine the Great within the walls of her glorious Imperial residence, the Winter Palace, the State Hermitage Museum is one of the largest and oldest in the world. At the time of her death, the collection featured nearly 4000 paintings. Today there are more than three million items making the The State Hermitage Museum a world wonder. From its gilded coronation carriages to the ornate Malachite Room, the museum's sweeping grandeur is captivating. Each room showcases masterpieces from centuries-old porcelain and antiques like Faberge Eggs to paintings and sculptures by renowned artists like Rembrandt, Raphael, Da Vinci, Michelangelo, Van Gogh, Matisse, Renoir, Degas, and Rodin. Each of the five buildings takes you on a visual journey of European art and culture through the eons.

Peterhof Palace is the epitome of Russian Imperialism with its architectural splendor and the sheer magnitude of the complex. Facing the Gulf of Finland, the sea-front gargantuan complex, often called "The Russian Versailles" is replete with several smaller palaces and gardens. Peter the Great planned to construct a palace fit for his royal status in 1705 and it was accomplished by 1725. Additions to the palace were made in the latter years around the 1750s. A royal world in itself, the premises can be studied intricately for a plethora of architectural styles and nuances. Broad pathways lined with vibrant flower beds and hedge labyrinths are spread out on multiple levels. Known for its extraordinary range of fountains, the complex boasts of more than 60 fountains cascading into gleaming waterways. The symmetry of the extensive gardens was inspired by the French and Dutch Baroque gardening style. The most opulent of all palaces, the Grand Palace acts as a centerpiece of the complex. Staircases and balusters ornamented with golden figurines can be seen leading into the palaces. A melange of Neoclassicism and Baroque, even the smallest details evoke awe. Monplaisir, Peter the Great's summer palace, is a charming Dutch-style mansion with red gable roofs and sweeping vistas of the sea. An architectural magnum opus and a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Russia, tourist, and locals fall short of words praising this wonder.

During a ten year period (1801-1811), master builder Andrei Voronikhin oversaw construction of this majestic semicircular colonnade that still stands guard on Nevskii Prospekt. Called the Kazan Cathedral, the structure's 96 Corinthian columns are reminiscent of St Peter's in Rome and were the only aspect of the cathedral that survived from the original design formulated by Paul I. A symbol of Russia's triumph over Napoleon, the monumental building is home to the Museum of the History of Religion.

During the first half of the 19th century, around 11,000 serfs drove 25,000 wooden planks into the ground, creating the foundation for what would become Isaakievskiy Sobor or Saint Isaac's Cathedral. More than 100 kilograms (220 pounds) of pure gold were used to gild the dome and its 112 polished granite support column. The massive interior is constructed from various types of marble and stone, and it is designed to accommodate up to 14,000 people. Construction of the cathedral was a painstaking process, taking 40 years in total, and architect August Ricard de Montferrand passed away shortly after its completion. Now, the golden dome has commanded the Neva River skyline for nearly 200 years. From the 562-step climb to the circular observation deck unparalleled panoramas of St. Petersburg await.