Travel to Russia

Khram "Spasa na Krovi"

This church has numerous stunning cupolas in the "Russian" manner, some of which are multi-colored or constructed like from geometric patterns. It is one of those places you will think only existed in fairy tales . The mosaic interior was created by over 30 artists and covers an area of 7000 square meters. The church was originally built in memory of the assassination of Alexander II.

Petropavlovskaia Krepost'

This is the historic centre of the city. Tsar Peter I built the fortress in just six months in 1703. Situated on the Zaiachii island, the fortress faces the Winter Palace and is one of the city's symbols. The fortress houses an assembly of interesting monuments such as the Peter and Paul Cathedral, the Trubetskii prison, Peter's Boathouse and the The Mint. Peter and other Russian Tsars are buried at the cathedral

Peterhof

Of all St Petersburg's attractions, the country estate of Peterhof it might be the place that inspires the more pride among the city's population. Extravagant and bombastic in parts, elegant and relaxed in others, Peterhof's palace and grounds are more than ample testimony to the opulence of Tsarist Russia.

Church of the Nativity of Our Lady in Putinki

At the very beginning of Malaia Dmitrovka street, stands this magnificent church. It was constructed in 1649-1652 and looks almost as if it were twisted together out of lace. A long time ago, this area was called Putinki (from the word 'put', meaning 'way'). This was because it stands at the junction of two major roads, one going to Dmitrov and the other to Tver' (Tverskaia ulitsa). This church was the last building in Moscow to employ the tent-roofed architectural style.

Armenian Apostolic Church of the Resurrection

This church was closed by Stalin in 1937 but re-opened later during his rule in 1951, at the insistence of the then Armenian Patriarch Vazgen I. The exquisite golden dome with white walls combination are striking, and the fact that the church central place of worship for Russia's Armenian community gives the interior a distinct air.

Central Museum of the Great Patriotic War

When Hitler moved the German forces into Russia in the summer of 1941, the Great Patriotic War began for the Russian people. The part of the country invaded by the Germans was devastated and millions of people killed. This museum is dedicated to keeping the memory of the war alive so nothing like it will ever happen again. The museum organizes thematic tours through the galleries of honour, remembrance and military traditions. The museum owns two lecture halls of 200 and 500 seats with synchronized interpreting, a scientific library, plus an archive and a database of all of the soldiers who sacrificed their lives during the war. Entry is free.

Domik Petra Pervogo

The banks of the Neva is the oldest building in St Petersburg. This is a three-room log cabin, which was home to the city's founder, Peter the Great. It is a timber cottage that resembles a Russian farmhouse. It was erected in fewer than three days. Although the cabin houses some of the tsar's personal items as well as furniture, it is hard to imagine a leader of any country living in such a small place.

Ermitazh

It was Catherine the Great who was responsible for the creation of the Hermitage museum within the walls of her escpectacular Imperial residence, the Winter Palace. At the time of her death the collection contained nearly 4,000 paintings. Today there are more than three million items making the Hermitage one of the largest and most prestigious museums in the world. Investigate every corner in each of the five linked buildings could take years, that can gave you an idea os the dimentions of this marvellous place.

Politseiskii Most

This cast-iron bridge crosses the Moika River at Nevskii Prospekt. It was known as the green bridge because of the color it was painted. In the 1770s, it was named Politseiskii Most because chief-of-police Chicherin lived next door. In 1806, the wooden bridge was replaced by a cast-iron one made by engineer Geste.

Edmond J Safra Grand Choral Synagogue

The Edmond J Safra Grand Choral Synagogue is one of the largest as well as architecturally elegant synagogue in Europe. Builted in Arabesque-Mauritanian style between 1880 and 1883 under Professor I.I. Shaposhnikov and architect Viktor Aleksandrovich Shreter and consecrated in 1893. The synagogue was shelled during World War II but not seriously damaged. The main prayer hall holds 1200 and has women's galleries on three sides. There are also smaller halls. Prayers are held daily from 10a-12:30p and from 1p-3p.