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The Alexander Nevsky Lavra (monastery) Is situated at the end of Nevsky Prospect. Peter the great founded the Lavra in 1710 as "the Monastery of Holy Trinity and Grand Duke, St.Alexander Nevsky" to honor the victory of the Grand Duke of Novgorod over the Swedish troops in the Neva battle in 1240. In 1797 the Monastery was transformed into the Laura (the word can be translated as "abbey") wit large historical archives and a library. The Holy Trinity Cathedral, the Church of the Annunciation, and a theological seminary are part of the complex of the monastery. The Lasarus cemetery (now the Necropolis of the 18th century), The Tikhvin cemetery (now the necropolis of the People of Arts), and Nicholas cemetery occupy a large plot of the Lavra territory. Many Russian luminaries were buried here (Dostoevsky, Tchaikovsky, Mussorgsky, and Rimsky-Korsakov). The Aurora cruiser The legendary cruiser was built in 1897 and launched in 1900. It was named so after the "Aurora" frigate that defended Petropavlovsk-on-Kamchatka during War of 1853-56. The cruiser participated in the Thusima battle. At 9:45 p.m. on October 24, 1917 it fired a blank shot - a signal for the revolutionaries to start the storming of the Winter Palace, the residence of the Provisional Government. Thereby "Aurora" became a symbol of the Revolution. At present it is a branch of the Central Naval Museum. The display on this unique ship-museum contains 1000 documents and photographs, recounting the ships 100-year history. The Ethnographic Museum It was put up in 1900-1911 in classical style to house huge ethnographic collections that had accumulated by that time in the city and were kept in the Russian Museum. The collection is by right considered the countrys main ethnographic collection which numbers over 250 thousand items featuring the mode of life and culture of over 150 nationalities and ethic groups living on the territory from the Baltic sea to the Pacific. National costumes, articles of household use, and attributes of religious worship, decorative elements and objects of art are on display in 27 rooms. Of special interest is an eye-arresting display or costumes of the Slavs. They have been collected in Russian, Ukrainian and Byelorussia villages by Russian ethnographers since the middle of the 19th century and donated to the museum. They feature every day and gala costumes, bridal wear, girls head decorations with ribbons down the back, lovely embroidery and jewelry of pearls and corrals. They are all genuine pieces in an excellent state or preservation. The focal point of the museum is the large Marble Hall designed by architect Svinin in commemoration of the Russian tsar Alexander III. The area of the hall is 1000 square meters. The perfection of style makes it one of the most attractive interiors of St. Petersburg. The State Hermitage It is one of the world biggest art and culture museums. Founded in 1764, the Hermitage comprises eight departments: the Primitive Culture of Antiquity, the Culture of the East, the History of Russian Culture, the Numismatics, the West European Culture, the Department of Science and Education, and the Restoration Department. Hermitage consist of five interlinked buildings - the Winter Palace (previously the residence of the Imperial family), the Small Hermitage, the Old Hermitage, the New Hermitage and the Hermitage Theatre. There are over 350 halls in Hermitage. The museum keeps 15 thousand paintings, 12 thousand sculptures, 600 thousands drawings, over 600 thousand monuments of archeology, over one million coins and medals, and 4224 thousand items of applied arts. Empress Catherine II initiated the collection of the Hermitage. In the end of the 19th century the museum was opened to public. Paintings of such great masters as Leonardo da Vinci, Titian, Raphael, Rembrandt, Poussain, Manet, Renoir are in the ownership of the Hermitage. The Hermitage is famous through its collection of Scythian golden articles. The incredible beauty of the buildings, inside and outside, all the more enhances the splendor of the museum: ornate and regal facades; huge frescoed halls; marble, wood, and mosaic floors; statues, figurines, antique furniture. St.Isaacs Cathedral It was designed by the French architect Montferrand between 1818 and 1858, it is the largest church in St. Petersburg and the third largest Cathedral in the world with the capacity of 13,000. The Cathedral is spectacular with its lavishly decorated dome, its ornate iconostasis and stained glass window depicting Jesus Christ. The interior is richly adorned with marble, malachite, lapis lazuli, and porphyry, as well as numerous paintings, mosaics, and sculptures. Approximately 220 pounds of precious metal were used in gilding its magnificent golden dome. The high relives seen on the eastern and western pediments depict the story of St. Isaac who was considered Peter the Greats patron saint. According to legend, St. Isaac, in the 4th century, protected Christians from the heretic Roman Emperor Valens. For this he was punished but later set free by Emperor Theodosius. Even after the cathedral was finished, constant repair work was done on it for many years. This grand and lavish church is now open as a museum and is a very popular sight of the city. The Peter & Paul Fortress It is considered to be the birthplace of St. Petersburg. It was founded in May 1703 by Peter the Great on a small island in the delta of the Neva River as a military defence structure during the Northern War with Sweden. It lost its military significance even before it was completed. Never fired upon by any enemy the fortress was later converted into a political prison. One of its first prisoners was Alexis, Peter the Greats son tortured to death under Peters supervision. Other famous people imprisoned here were Russian writer Dostoyevsky, participants of the 1825 Decembrist uprisings, political activists Leon Trotsky and Maxim Gorky. The most valuable architectural monument on the territory of the Fortress is the Peter and Paul Cathedral - the burial place of many members of the Romanov family including Peter the Great and the family of the last tsar Nicolas II. Its gilded spire topped with gold vessel stretching more than 197 feet into the sky is considered to be the symbol of our city. The State Russian Museum It is located in the Mikhailovsky Palace and the Benoir building. The Palace was built in 1895 for Paul Is youngest son and turned to a museum in 1898 by Alexander III. Since then it became the center of art and history and was named after its founder "The Emperor Museum of the Russian Art named after Alexander III". Since 1917 it is called "The Russian Museum". The museum owns the Russia biggest collection of paintings, sculptures, drawings, items of applied and folk arts. The exhibition shows Russian pictorial art from the time of medieval icons to the great achievements of the turn of the 20th century and the art of Soviet period. Also on display is the extensive collection of ceramics, ironwork, porcelain, wood carving and lace. Spilled Blood Cathedral (The Cathedral of the Resurrection of Christ the Saviour) It was build in1907 as memorial church to honor Russian emperor Alexander II, just on the spot of crucial terrorist attempt upon him. Its 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.Vasnetson, M.Nesterov, A.Ryabushkin, V.Belyaev, N.Kharlamov. Mariinsky Theater Mariinsky Theater is one of the biggest and oldest music theaters in Russia that is famous all over the world. The Theater dates back to 1783. The construction of the theater building was completed in 1859 (architect A.Kavos). On October 1860 the performance of M.I.Glinkas opera "Life sacrificed for Tsar" marked its inauguration. The theater was named after wife Alexander II - Maria. The Mariinsky was built as an opera house, but its reputation rests largely on the ballet that was added to its repertoire two decades later. Operas and ballets written by the great Russian composers were put on the stage of the theater. The performances here featured such brilliant stars as E.Lavrovskaya, F. Shaliapin, M. Kshesinskaya, A. Pavlova, T. Karsavina, V. Nizhinsky, M. Fokin. Almost all of the Mariinsky finest dancers were trained at St.Petersburg Vaganova school of Choreography, still the worlds premier ballet school in the classical tradition. Catcing a performance at the Mariinsky is an integral part of any visit to St.Petersburg. If you go to the opera you will surely enjoy splendid singing, magnificent costumes and brilliant orchestra. The ballet repertoire consist of Marius Petipas stage versions of classical Russian ballets like "Swan Lake", "Sleeping Beauty", etc. The opera and ballet theater named after M.P.Musorgsky It is the second opera and ballet theatre after the Mariinsky. The theatre is famous by being the first to stage the works of modern composers. The building that houses the theater is called Mikhailovsky to honor the brother of Emperor Nicholas I. It was built in 1831-1833 to the design of the architect A.Brullov. On November 08 1833 the theater was inaugurated by the performance of the ballet called "The Cupid in the Village". The theater was originally intended for Russian and French drama, but later on it gained a reputation of the center for opera. The works of S.Prokofyev, D.Kabalevsky, D.Shostakovitch, A. Khachaturian were put on the theaters stage for the first time. Alexandrinsky Theater It is the oldest professional theaters of Russia that dates from 1756. The first director and priducer was A.Sumakov, the playwright. His first actors were two brothers, Fedor and Grigory Volkov. The theater is located in elegant yellow building just off Nevsky prospect, constructed in 1832 by architect Rossi being one of the architectonic masterpieces among theater houses of the 19th century. Above six columns of the main facade are figures of Glory and a Chariot of Apollo drawn by four horses. The Muses Tepsichore and Melpomene are set in the niches on either side of colonnade. On August 31 1823 the thester was inaugurated and named after the wife of Emperor Nicholay I (Alexandra). The theater now combines in its repertoire the best of Russian drama with classical ballet performances by the most prominent companies of St. Petersburg. Such outstanding actors as M.Savina, V.Davydov, the Samoilovs dynasty, N.Cherkasov, Y.Tolubeev brought glory to the theater. It is possible to rent for privet parties. The Capella House It is one of the concert halls of Saint-Petersburg. It is located a step off the Palace Square and occupies a block between the Moika river and Zhelyabov street. A stone building in this block was in 1830 the architect Charleman added a concert hall to it. At the end of the 19th century after an insistent demand of the director of the Capella composer Balakirev the whole complex of the buildings was reconstructed by the architect Leontiy Benois. The opening of this concert hall, which was one of the best concert halls in the world at that time, took place in 1889. It has excellent acoustic thanks to unusual construction of the hall. The ceiling and the floor are made in the shape of a violin Decca that conduct and reflect the sound in the best way. The Royal Capella choir, which performed in this hall, was founded in 1479. The names of a great number of famous Russian composers such as Bortnyansky, Glinka, Varlamov, Rimsky-Korsakov, Lyadov, Arensky and many others are associated with the Capella. At present the Saint-Petersburg State Academic Capella, symphony orchestras and ballet companies perform at this wonderful hall. Palaces and parks of Saint Petersburg suburbs Saint Petersburg and its suburban palace and landscape ensembles such as Peterhof (Petrodvorets), Tsarskoe Selo (Pushkin), Pavlovsk, Gatchina, Oranienbaum (Lomonosov) and other residences are a single historical and cultural landmark created over the 18th-20th centuries from the very beginning of the citys foundation. Architectural ensembles, unique interior decoration, collections of applied art works, painting and sculptures, gardening and landscaping masterpieces are a unique Russian artistic heritage. Any special events can be hold at luxury palaces, mansions and parks of suburbs: galla-dinners, balls, troika-riding and carriages, outdoor games Catherine Palace in Poushkine Catherine Palace in Poushkine ranks as one of the masterpieces of world art. It is located in the town of Pushkin, formerly called Tsarskoye Selo or the Tsars village. This town, founded at the beginning of the 18th century, is located approximately 25 kilometres south of St. Petersburg. In 1710, Peter the Great gave this estate to his wife Catherine, and on it a small palace was built by Braunstein. From this time until the time of the last Russian tsar, it was used as the summer home of the Imperial family. In 1756, the Catherine Palace was expanded in an exquisite baroque style by Bartolomeo Rastrelli. Its grandiose turquoise, white, and gold facade stretches 978 feet. During World War II, the palace was severely damaged but since then has been restored and stands now in its original glory. The palace contains a series of magnificent rooms, including the famous Picture Gallery and, of course, the Great Hall. The Great Hall is the most spacious room in the palace with an area of 860 square meters. During the many official balls and receptions held here, 700 candles would burn in front of the mirrors ornamented in gold. The numerous mirrors reflect the gilded wood carvings of fiery Cupids and graceful female figures. The parks of the estate add to the splendour of the palace, and several are embellished with a number of charming pavilions. Among them are the Grotto Pavilion, the Hermitage, and the Chinese Pagoda. Directly in front of the Catherine Palace lies the vast Landscape Park. On the symmetrical layout of this park, the Evening Hall, or Hunters Cottage, can be found. It was built in 1809 by I. Neelov and is ornamented simply, with a four column ionic portico and caryatids between the window frames. The town of Pushkin is famous not only for its remarkable palace and parks, but for the man it is named after. Since 1937, it has bared the name of Pushkin - the most celebrated poet in the country. Alexander Sergeevich Pushkin lived in this town at the beginning of the 19th century, and connected to the palace by an arch is the lyceum where he studied. The grand ballroom: dinner 400 pax, cocktail 600 pax. White ballroom: dinner 100 pax, cocktail 150 pax Cameron Gallery: cocktail 350 pax. Kotchoubey Dacha Kotchoubey Dacha is located in one of the town of Pushkin (formely "Tsars village). As the royal family was spending their summers here, Tsars village became a summer resort for the Russian nobility. The Kotchoubei Dacha was created for count Kothoubey by architect Tamania in 1914. In Soviet times the building was used by high Communist party officials. Nowadays it is avalable for private use. Pauls Palace in Pavlovsk Pauls Palace in Pavlovsk is located on the land originally used as the royal hunting grounds for the Tsars family. In 1777, this site was presented by Catherine the Great to her son Paul. The Tsarina commissioned the Scottish architect Charles Cameron to build her apparents palace and park. High on a hill overlooking the Slavyanka River, the yellow rectangular palace is crowned with a low dome. The palaces Grecian Hall is adorned with green fluted Corinthian columns, making the ballroom perhaps the most elegant room in the palace. The Pavlovsk park is one of the largest parks in all of Europe. For many, this magnificent park filled with hills, valleys, ponds, waterfalls, and various statues is the most outstanding feature of the city of Pavlovsk. Rose pavillon Rose pavillon was commissioned by Maria, the wife of Paul I, for the celebration and festivals during the summer season. One of the most beautiful pavilions of the Pavlovsk park -elegant wooden construction decorated with portico and stucco pilasters and surrounded with rose flower beds - the Rose Pavilion became Marias favorite place and the center of her private life in the years after Paul. Later it was used for the homecoming celebrations of Alexander I. The magic of the Pavilion, its warm cosiness and charm lie in its light and airy interior with candelabras adomed with ostrich feathers, guilded chandeliers and its principal and the most unusual decoration - garlands of roses handing from the ceiling. Peters Palace in Petrodvorets Peters Palace in Petrodvorets is situated on the coast of the Gulf of Finland nineteen miles west of St. Petersburg. Founded by Peter the Great, Petrodvorets, or Peterhof, became known as the most brilliant of all the summer residences of the Russian tsars. It was Peter the Greats wish to have a palace and garden better than that at Versailles. His magnificent estate held the name of Peterhof, meaning Peters Court in German, until 1944, when it was renamed Petrodvorets due to anti-German sentiment. The construction of the estate spanned two centuries, and at its completion, the estate encompassed seven parks and more than 20 palaces and pavilions. The grand palace commands a breathtaking view of the lower park and of the Great Cascade, which is often considered the chief delight of the grounds, consisting of three waterfalls, an avenue of 64 fountains, and 37 gilded statues. Samson, constructed in 1734-1735, is the largest fountain of Petrodvorets and is located at the base of the Great Cascade. The scene of this fountain depicts Samson holding open the jaws of a lion, representing Russias victory over the Swedes in 1709 in the Great Northern War. From the lions mouth, a jet of water can be seen shooting high into the air. During World War II, the estate was occupied, and all of the buildings and fountains were destroyed. Since then, nearly all of the damage has been repaired, and the palace fountains have been restored to their original splendour. Nicholas Cottage Nicholas Cottage is located on the estate of Petrodvorets and was the residence of Nicholas I and his family. It was built by the English architect Scot Menelans between the years of 1826 and 1829 in a neo-Gothic style. The park that surrounds this cottage-palace is called Alexandria Park after Nicholas wife Alexandra, and both park and palace blend beautifully, accenting one another. The elegant interior of the palace was designed by the best architects of the time. Especially interesting are the Study of Alexandra, containing beautiful items of bronze and china, and the Dining Room containing a huge stately table. The dinner service on display in the Dining Room was made at the Imperial manufactory in St. Petersburg and contains 314 pieces delicately outlined in gold. Two terraces of this elegant palace are wonderful place for lunch or dinner and can seat up to 100 people. The garden outside is perfect for barbucue. Pauls Palace in Gatchina Pauls Palace in Gatchina is located 45 kilometres southwest of St. Petersburg. In 1712-1717 the Gatchina farm was owned by Peter the Greats sister, Nathalie. After her death the owners changed several times till Catherine the Great acquired this land and gave it to one of her favourite officials and friend, Gregory Orlov. Between 1766 and 1772, Orlov had this land made into a vast hunting ground accompanied by a palace designed by architect Rinaldi. After Orlovs death, Catherine bought the estate from his heirs and gave it to her son Paul, who then transformed it into a Prussian style military fortress. The architect V.Brenna implemented the ideas of Paul. According to his designs the interior of the Palace were rearranged and decorated. This aschitect also developed the designs of the Ekaterinverdersky Tower, the Forest Green-house, The Ensemble of the Manument Gates, the Jetty-Terrace. During the 18th and 19th centuries, the town was the Tsars summer residence. The palace sustained much damage during World War II, but since then, it has been undergoing restoration. A number of rooms are now open to the public, including the Marble Dining Room, majestically designed in the classical style, the Throne Room, adorned with splendid Gobelin tapestries, and the Antiroom, used by the palace guards. The picturesque grounds of the estate are situated along a series of small chain lakes and adorned with numerous statues, paths and pavilions. The pride of the park are the unique pavilions "Beriozovy Dom" ("Birch House") and "Pavilion Venery" ("Pavilion of Venus"). The Chinese Palace in Oranienbaum The Chinese Palace in Oranienbaum is located 39 kilometres to the south of St-Petersburg, near the town of Krownstadt. In 1762 Empress Catherine II ordered that the suburb residence called "My Own Countryside House" should been established. For that purpose A.Rinaldi created in 1762-1774 the Chinese Palace and the Katalnaya Gorka Pavilion (roller coaster) with a cupola pavilion. The architectural style of these monuments is distinguished by the subtle blend of elegant rococo style with trace of classicism. Oranienbaum is famous for its landscape parks dating back to the middle of the XIX century. Unlike the rest of the palaces in the environs of St.Petersburg, remained undamaged during World War II. Some of the Park |
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