The largest country in the world, Russia offers a broad array of travel experiences, from treks up the slopes of glacier-capped mountains to strolls along the shoreline of Earth’s oldest lake. Historical sites and cultural activities in the country’s great cities abound as well. Whether you’re exploring the grounds of Moscow’s Kremlin or wandering through the steppes of Mongolia, a visit to Russia is an adventure not soon forgotten.
Russia Trip Itinerary: 10-Nov to 18-Nov
Day1: Moscow
Day2. : Moscow (Tank driving activity is optional)
Day3. : Moscow
Day4. : Kazan
Day5. : Kazan
Day6. : St. Petersburg
Day7. : St. Petersburg
Day8. : St. Petersburg
Day9. : Moscow/St. Petersburg fly back
Day 1-3 : Moscow
Arrive in Moscow
Arriving on a Thursday puts you in Moscow over a weekend, when traffic is lighter, hotels are cheaper, and yet everything you’ll want to visit will be open. Given how vast distances are in Moscow,
Moscow, on the Moskva River in western Russia, is the nation’s cosmopolitan capital. In its historic core is the Kremlin, a complex that’s home to the president and tsarist treasures in the Armoury. Outside its walls is Red Square, Russia’s symbolic center. It’s home to Lenin’s Mausoleum, the State Historical Museum’s comprehensive collection and St. Basil’s Cathedral, known for its colorful, onion-shaped domes. vladivostok,moscow city,russia tour,moscow weather,moscow city,make my trip,tour packages russia, russia travel package, russia travel guide, russia travel blog, russia travel cost, russia travel video, russia travelogue, russia travel visa, russia travel places
Red Square
Red Square is a city square in Moscow, Russia. It separates the Kremlin, the former royal citadel and now the official residence of the President of Russia, from a historic merchant quarter known as Kitai-gorod.
Lenin Mausoleum
Lenin’s Mausoleum, also known as Lenin’s Tomb, situated in Red Square in the centre of Moscow, is a mausoleum that currently serves as the resting place of Soviet leader Vladimir Lenin. His preserved body has been on public display there since shortly after his death in 1924, with rare exceptions in wartime.
St. Basil Cathedral
St. Basil’s Cathedral is Moscow’s most famous artistic work of architecture. Also called “Pokrovsky Cathedral” or “The Cathedral of Intercession of the Virgin by the Moat”, it is the most recognizable Russian building. This Cathedral is to the Russians what the Eiffel Tower is to the French, an honorable symbol of their past, present, and future.
Driving A Tank Activity (Optional)
Stop wasting your time in a stuffy office. Go for a tank driving and shooting tour! Fight your enemies with the most powerful Russian and Soviet weapons. You can select from a variety of the legendary military vehicles (T-62, T-80, BMP-1, BRDM and BTR-80). Put on a military camouflage and shoot a tank gun or any of more than 10 available firearms. A selfie with a Kalashnikov AK-47? It’s a piece of cake! A traditional Russian military meal with buckwheat will taste delicious after the battle. No matter who you are – a fearless strong man or a graceful girl, the power of these machines will astonish you. If you enjoyed playing toy soldiers in your childhood, if you are a fearless Amazon in your heart – it’s time for a real adventure!
Tour description
1. Pick-up, transfer from the hotel to the military ground (in a 1.5-2 hr drive from the city center).
2. All the visitors are offered to put on military-field uniform: a jacket, trousers, and a tank helmet.
3. Safety briefing.
4. Ride in a tank, BMP-1, BTR-80 or BRDM-2.
5. Shooting a tank or BMP gun*.
6. Shooting small-caliber guns* (Machine guns, Automatic, Rifles and Pistols).
7. Shooting a large-caliber gun* (Grenade launcher).
8. Transfer to the city.
The Kremlin Museum
The Moscow Kremlin State Historical and Cultural Museum and Heritage Site was formed in 1991 on the basis of State Museums of the Moscow Kremlin. It is located in the center of Moscow, on the territory of the Moscow Kremlin. The Moscow Kremlin is one of the largest architectural ensembles of the world, including monuments built over the time from late XV to XX centuries. Historically the Moscow Kremlin has been the residence of power and in our days it is the residence of the Russian President. It is a unique museum complex including cathedrals-museums: the Assumption Cathedral, the Archangel Cathedral, the Annunciation Cathedral, the Church of the Deposition of the Robe of the Holy Virgin, the Palace of Patriarch of the XVII century with the Church of the Twelve Apostles, the bell tower of Ivan the Great with the belfry and the State Armory Chamber – the treasury. A special exposition located in the basement of the Annunciation Cathedral displays the materials on the archaeology of the Kremlin.
Church Of Ascenion
The earliest extant structure in town is the exceptional Ascension church (1532), built in white stone to commemorate the long-awaited birth of an heir to the throne, the future Ivan the Terrible. Being the first stone church of tent-like variety, the uncanonical “White Column” (as it is sometimes referred to) marked a stunning rupture with the Byzantine tradition.
Museum of Soviet Arcade Machines
This is probably the geekiest museum you can find in Moscow, and if you have very little knowledge of Soviet arcade games (which let’s face it why would you know) you will feel like the nerdiest guy on the block when you pay up for your Soviet era coins to drop into these aging machines. If you remember wasting some time playing on odd computers or shooting galleries as a child you will get an eye-opener when you see how Soviet kids were doing similar things on albeit very different machines. Classics include Morskoi Boi (a very simple battleships press the button and sink the boat game), car racing, logic games, Soviet table football and an ingenious air-basketball game amongst others. Everything looks and feels a bit broken down, but is full of charm and offers a refreshing view of life during the end of communism.
Christ the Savior Cathedral
This is what a new Russian Orthodox church ought to look like. It is so immense you’ll be wondering how many blocks of dynamite the Soviets needed to get rid of the thing the first time around. That was in 1931. This newly restored example came into being from 1994 until 2000 and is a shiny beacon for the Russian Orthodox Church at home and a close replica of the original 19th Century cathedral built in honour of the victory over Napoleon. The sprawling cathedral houses a museum on the history of the site where you can see pictures of the giant swimming pool the Soviets built here and the huge Lenin topped skyscraper they had originally planned for. During excursions (minimum 10 people) you can see the cathedral, museum and the view from the colonnade. As it is a working place of worship women are expected to cover their heads and everyone should dress conservatively.
Bunker-42
One of the most famous museum among tourists in Moscow. It is the huge military and historical museum and the cultural entertainment complex created on one secret object of the USSR. Also there all this is located at a depth of 65 meters, representing, really, something improbable.The atmosphere of the real bunker allows to experience that thin side which separated the world from the beginning of nuclear war. There are also equipped conference halls, a restaurant, Cold War Museum and a cinema hall.
Famous Street of Moscow
Old Arbat Street
Originally a suburb where traders from the East would arrive with their caravans, in the 18th Century the Arbat became popular with Moscow’s intelligentsia and artistic community, who enjoyed frequenting the many cafes and taking strolls along the area’s mansion-lined boulevards. Pushkin himself lived here with his wife in house number 53 (the building has since been turned into a museum dedicated to the poet) and Tolstoy resided on the adjoining Kaloshin Lane. In fact Count Fyodor was said to have modelled his famous character Anna Karenina on Maria Gartung – Pushkin’s oldest daughter, who also lived nearby.
New Arbat Street
New Arbat was initially included in the Moscow construction development plan in 1935. The idea was to build a road connecting Kremlin and the famous Rublevka area where most of the communist party elite had their country side residencies. They simply needed a modern highway that they could use to travel between Kremlin and their dachas. The original name of the street was Kalinin Prospekt, named after one of the revolution leaders Mikhail Kalinin. The name was changed to Noviy Arbat during the post-soviet period in 1994.
Tverskaya Street
Tverskaya is the main street of Moscow, it starts from the Kremlin and goes north through all Moscow to change into Leningradskoe shosse, which leads to Tver and after 700 km to St. Petersburg. Tverskaya street is a wide central avenue bustling with life, with large buildings on the sides where there are various shops, clubs, cafes, and restaurants inside. However, the life around Tverskaya (small streets, boulevards around) is quite calm, and it’s one of the nicest areas to walk around or to go out in Moscow. vladivostok,moscow city,russia tour,moscow weather,moscow city,make my trip,tour packages russia, russia travel package, russia travel guide, russia travel blog, russia travel cost, russia travel video, russia travelogue, russia travel visa, russia travel places
What To Eat :
Borscht
Borscht is the most well-known Russian dish in the world. Thanks to its bright red color, this soup has become one of symbols of Russia on a level with Matryoshka dolls and AK-47 assault rifle. There are many recipes of borscht, and every region of Russia and Ukraine is proud of its own list of ingredients and preparation technology. During your travel to Moscow, you will find two most popular types of this soup – Ukrainian (“Ukrainsky”) and Moscow (“Moskovsky”). Other sorts of borscht are not widespread in Moscow restaurants and supermarkets, and you will have almost no chances to find them.
Russian Salad
Olivier salad, also known as Russian Salad, was originally invented by Lucien Olivier for the Hermitage restaurant in Moscow in the 1860’s; it was then adapted by Ivan Ivanov, who later sold the recipe for publication. Over the years, it gained in popularity not only in Russia, but throughout the rest of the Soviet Union and Europe.
Shashlik
Shashlik in its most basic form is pieces of meat grilled on a skewer over coals. The “classic” shashlik, Granny says, should be made with mutton. That’s how it’s often made in the Caucasus, where the dish originated, and where there’s lots of sheep. In Moscow, however, there is less mutton, and Russians became more creative with their shashlik. Here it’s made with chicken, pork and fish, the meat interspersed with pieces of onion, peppers or tomatoes. Everyone developed his own marinade (ketchup and garlic usually factor heavily). From the beginning, shashliking was a competitive sport.
Russian pancake (Blini)
These thin, crepe-like pancakes have been consumed in Russia for centuries. Today they are the most popular type of Russian street food, and the most popular place to buy them is the “Teremok” chain. The staff at these cafes dress in old-style Russian costumes and address their customers as “sudar” and “sudarynya” – the old Russian form of “sir” and “madam.” Solid round blini are cooked on a griddle while you wait and can be had with fillings ranging from ham, cheese or red caviar to honey, jam or sweetened condensed milk. Teremok is even expanding its empire abroad – you can find an outlet in Midtown Manhattan!
Where To Party
Entry is mostly free or minimal (less than 200 RUB) and drinks aren’t expensive when compared to any metro city in India. The sex ratio is almost 1:10 thats right for every guy there are 10 girls! Da Da Ding! Not to mention the party goes on till 6:00 AM!
Don’t even try getting sloshed as the bouncers are very strict and will not hesitate before picking you up and throwing you out, LITERALLY!
Some of the best clubs include City Space Bar, O2 Lounge, Bar Gipsy, Kot Shredingera, Night Club Icon.
Day 4 & 5
MOSCOW TO KAZAN:
Take an overnight train from Moscow to Kazan. The train journey is very comfortable and the service is beyond amazing. They also have an affordable dining car if you’re hungry. We will help with bookings or you can book a flight directly.
KAZAN
Kazan is a city in southwest Russia, on the banks of the Volga and Kazanka rivers. The capital of the Republic of Tatarstan, a semi-autonomous region, it’s known for the centuries-old Kazan Kremlin, a fortified citadel containing museums and sacred sites. Kremlin landmarks include the tiered Tower of Soyembika, the blue-and-gold domed Annunciation Cathedral and the vast, colorful Kul Sharif Mosque.Kazan (meaning a cooking pot in Tatar) is the Istanbul of the Volga, a place where Europe and Asia curiously inspect each other from the tops of church belfries and minarets. Also known as Tatarstan, the cuisine and culture varies here and the people are very friendly
We will explore :
Kazan Kremlin
Suyumbike Tower
Kul-Sharif Mosque
Annunciation Cathedral
State Hermitage Museum in Kazan
State Museum of the Tatar State and the Republic of Tatarstan
Bauman Street
WHERE TO EAT/PARTY IN KAZAN:
There are many eateries along Bauman street to cater to all, Keep in mind that they shut down by 11PM. If you want to party head to Coyote Ugly on Bauman street itself, the party lasts till morning, Do keep the face control rules in mind!
Day 6,7,8
KAZAN TO ST. PETERSBURG:
St. Petersburg is a Russian port city on the Baltic Sea. It was the imperial capital for 2 centuries, having been founded in 1703 by Peter the Great, subject of the city’s iconic “Bronze Horseman” statue. It remains Russia’s cultural center, with venues such as the Mariinsky Theatre hosting opera and ballet, and the State Russian Museum showcasing Russian art, from Orthodox icon paintings to Kandinsky works.
PS:direct flight at 3:00 AM from Rossiya Airlines / Aeroflot.
The Hermitage Museum
The State Hermitage Museum is a museum of art and culture in Saint Petersburg, Russia. The second-largest art museum in the world, it was founded in 1764 when Empress Catherine the Great acquired an impressive collection of paintings from the Berlin merchant Johann Ernst Gotzkowsky.
Russian Museum
Rivaling the Tretyakov Gallery in Moscow as the world’s finest collection of Russian art, the State Russian Museum has an illustrious history that began when the fiercely nationalist Tsar Alexander III became the first Russian ruler to make a significant collection of art by Russian artists. His son, Nicholas II, decided to open a museum in his father’s honour and, in 1895, bought the Mikhailovskiy Palace to house the collection. Originally called the Alexandrovskiy Museum, it was opened to the public in 1898.
Peter and Paul Fortress
The first structure to be built in St. Petersburg, and thus the birthplace of the city, it never served its intended defensive function. Instead it has had a rich, hugely varied, and sometimes sinister history as a military base, a home of government departments, the burial ground of the Russian Imperial family, the site of groundbreaking scientific experiments, and a forbidding jail that held some of Russia’s most prominent political prisoners.
The bridges on the Neva
Nevsky is crossed by three canals which are an integral part of St. Petersburg’s beauty. There are a great number of rivers and canals in the city – it is a city “on water”. That is why it is often referred to as “the Northern Venice” or “the Northern Amsterdam”. There is no pleasure like taking a wonderful boat trip along rivers and canals of our “bridge city”.
Museum of Artillery, Combat Engineers, and Signal Troops
The official date of its foundation is August 29, 1703, when by Peter the Great’s decree a special Zeughaus (Ger. — Military storehouse for armaments, uniforms, equipment, etc.) was built on the territory of the St. Petersburg (Peter-and-Paul) fortress for the purpose of storing and preserving old guns and cannons. The Military-Historical Museum of Engineer and Signal Corps is now one of the most significant military-historical museums in the world having precious collections of artillery armaments and ammunition, rifles and cold steels, military-engineering equipment, signal means, combat banners, military uniforms, battle artworks, various insignia, as well as archival documents giving evidences of Russian artillery development history and feats of arms. The Museum holds impressive collections of paintings, drawings and sculptures. Amongst exhibits are works of art reflecting Russia’s heroic past, portraits of Emperors, Grand Dukes, famed commanders, plus soldiers and officers who distinguished themselves in military operations.
Alexander Nevskiy Monastery
The monastery was founded in July 1710 – seven years after the foundation of Petersburg – by Peter the Great near to the spot where contemporary Swedish maps showed the Swedish fort Landskrona had stood. (This was during the Northern War between Russian and Sweden, so it was a symbolically important location – especially as it had been sacked in 1301 by an army from Novgorod under Prince Andrei, son of legendary Russian leader Alexander Nevsky, during a previous war!) In 1712, the first church was built, in wood, on the site of the future monastery, and consecrated in Peter’s presence on March 25, 1713. The monastery began working shortly afterward.
Church of the Saviour on Spilled Blood
The area that has been known as the Alexander Nevsky Monastery since 1797 had its beginnings in 1710, just a few short years after the city of St. Petersburg was founded. It was located at the former site of the Swedish Fort Landskrova, a significant location during the Northern War between Russia and Sweden. Peter the Great chose to name the monastery after Grand Duke Alexander Nevsky, who defeated the Swedes in a 1240 battle at the site.
The first church, a small wooden structure, was built in 1712, but a new church, designed by Italian architect Domenico Trezzini, was added in 1724. It was this building, in particular, that was named for Nevsky, who was considered a saint in the Russian Orthodox Church. His remains were moved here from a church in Vladimir and for many decades, the day they arrived was celebrated as a holiday.
Our-Lady-of-Kazan Cathedral
Whilst taking a stroll along Nevsky Prospekt you cannot fail to notice the impressive Cathedral of Our Lady of Kazan. Kazan Cathedral, constructed between 1801 and 1811 by the architect Andrei Voronikhin, was built to an enormous scale and boasts an impressive stone colonnade, encircling a small garden and central fountain. The cathedral was inspired by the Basilica of St. Peter’s in Rome and was intended to be the country’s main Orthodox Church. After the war of 1812 (during which Napoleon was defeated) the church became a monument to Russian victory. Captured enemy banners were put in the cathedral and the famous Russian Field Marshal Mikhail Kutuzov, who won the most important campaign of 1812, was buried inside the church.
Saint Isaac’s Cathedral
The church itself is an architectural marvel. Built by the French-born architect Auguste Montferrand to be the main church of the Russian Empire, the cathedral was under construction for 40 years (1818-1858), and was decorated in the most elaborate way possible. When you enter the cathedral you pass through one of the porticos – note that the columns are made of single pieces of red granite and weight 80 tons (about 177,770 pounds) each. Inside the church many of the icons were created using moaic techniques and the iconostasis (the icon wall that separates the altar from the rest of the church) is decorated with 8 malachite and 2 lapis lazuli columns. The cathedral, which can accommodate 14,000 worshipers, now serves as a museum and services are held only on significant ecclesiastical holidays.
Peter the Great’s Cabin
The first residential building to be built in the newly founded city of St. Petersburg was a wooden house or cabin, intended for Tsar Peter himself. The cabin is very small – only 60 sq. meters in area and is a strange combination of a traditional Russian house – izba – and a Dutch home with large and elaborate windows and high roof, covered with wooden tiles. Tsar Peter lived in this house between 1703 and 1708 and the living room, bedroom and study, still filled with Peter’s original belongings, still bear the mark of his presence. Peter the Great wanted all the houses of his new city to be built of stone, the way it was done in Europe. But he could not afford a stone house at the time, so he ordered the walls to be painted as if the house was made of bricks.
Narva Triumphal Arch
The Narva Triumphal Arch was erected in the vast Narva Square, Saint Petersburg, in 1814 to commemorate the Russian victory over Napoleon. The wooden structure was constructed on the Narva highway with the purpose of greeting the soldiers who were returning from abroad after their victory over Napoleon.
Loft Project ETAGI
A pioneer in loft design and one of the largest exhibition spaces in St. Petersburg, Etagi has been occupying the former Smolninsky Bread Factory since 2007. This fantastic conversion just ten minutes’ walk from Moskovsky Railway Station has plenty to keep visitors interested, including many of the original factory fittings seamlessly merged with the thoroughly contemporary design. Many of the interior elements of the old factory were preserved, such as the concrete pillars, a drilling machine and bread baking equipment.Apart from being an exhibition center for the arts, it is also a cultural center that holds the widest range of events, from film festivals to kid’s workshops and from rooftop parties to pet adoption fairs. It’s also home to the city’s first ever “container city”- rows of containers that are now used for street food cafés, shops and more.
Opera and Ballet
The Hermitage Theater, which used to be imperial theatre during more than a century, is now proud to welcome guests all over the world.During all these years we are working to conserve rich traditions of the world famous classic Russian ballet. Ballet, without any doubt, is not just beautiful show, it is a form of art, which can be understood by everybody, no matter where from you are and which language do you speak. It is not surprising that we are housed in one of the buildings of the Hermitage – one of the most famous art museums in the whole world.
Canal tours
You will have an excellent opportunity to get acquainted with the city and its history, to see St. Petersburg from an unusual perspective – from the water, and to feel the beauty and grandeur of palaces, granite embankments and bridges. Throughout the trip on the boat, you will see the most beautiful sights of the city: the Peter and Paul Fortress, Strelka of Vasilyevsky Island, Winter Palace, Marble Palace, Summer Garden, Mikhailovsky Castle, Saint Isaac’s Cathedral, Kunstkamera and many other attractions.
WHERE TO PARTY:
St. Petersburg has umpteen number of places to party but the must-visit places are:
Coyote Ugly
Underground: An amazing ex USSR bomb shelter
Morrison: Open till 6:00 AM, rooftop and cocktails under 100 RUB
Chroniki: One of the best in STP
LAST DAY In St. Petersburg/ Moscow
If your return flight was from Moscow then take the Sapsan (bullet train) that covers 850 KM in under 4 hours and the service is world-class.
You can spend your last day relaxing and of course souvenir shopping, head to Izmailovsky Market for the best Russian souvenirs ranging from dolls to key chains and even antiques at the best prices. Do not go shopping anywhere else in Russia and this is by far the cheapest place.
Package Per Person: 65000 INR
Inclusions
Stay 9D/8N in the best of the hotels in the city centre (Ask for the hotel names)
Breakfast (8)
Airport to Hotel Transfer (4)
Internal Flight from Kazan to St. Petersburg
Internal Train from St. Petersburg to Moscow
Travel itinerary and group admin
Exclusions
Lunch, Dinner or any other meal
Entry charges to any monument, club or activity
International flight
Flight/train from Moscow to St. Petersburg (5k)
Airport transfer for above flight (2) (500-1000 INR)
Visa Cost (we can help with the agent’s number) 13-14k
Personal expenses
Anything not mentioned in inclusions
Disclaimer: We do not take any responsibility for Visa and flight ticket related issues, kindly confirm it with your agent before starting the trip. We as a company do not take any responsibility for the same and in case of any cancellation, no refund should be processed by our company.
Cancellation Policy:
No refunds within the 30 days of the trip(starting of the trip).
FAQ:
Q. How to apply for a visa for Russia?
Russia is open for Indians, You can apply directly from this website or our visa agent can help you.
https://russiable.in/getting-russian-visa-india/
Q. How can I connect for future trip updates?
Just click this link and join our Facebook updates for future trips: CLICK MEand type START
Ans: Russia is generally a safe country in which to travel.
Q. Why this trip is less costly because all the trips for Russia are starting from 1 lac?
Ans. We believe in passing the benefits to members also, as we are a group of passionate traveller who is running this company and not a business-oriented company.
Q. How will I meet the group if I come?
Ans: We will add you to our WhatsApp group for further communication and if you are coming alone then we will arrange an airport pickup for you.
Q.Any discount for a group?
Ans: Yes, if you are more than 2 then you will get a group discount of 3000 Rupee.
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Moscow, on the Moskva River in western Russia, is the nation’s cosmopolitan capital. In its historic core is the Kremlin, a complex that’s home to the president and tsarist treasures in the Armoury. Outside its walls is Red Square, Russia’s symbolic center. It’s home to Lenin’s Mausoleum, the State Historical Museum’s comprehensive collection and St. Basil’s Cathedral, known for its colorful, onion-shaped domes. vladivostok,moscow city,russia tour,moscow weather,moscow city,make my trip,tour packages russia, russia travel package, russia travel guide, russia travel blog, russia travel cost, russia travel video, russia travelogue, russia travel visa, russia travel places
One of the most famous museum among tourists in Moscow. It is the huge military and historical museum and the cultural entertainment complex created on one secret object of the USSR. Also there all this is located at a depth of 65 meters, representing, really, something improbable.The atmosphere of the real bunker allows to experience that thin side which separated the world from the beginning of nuclear war. There are also equipped conference halls, a restaurant, Cold War Museum and a cinema hall.
New Arbat was initially included in the Moscow construction development plan in 1935. The idea was to build a road connecting Kremlin and the famous Rublevka area where most of the communist party elite had their country side residencies. They simply needed a modern highway that they could use to travel between Kremlin and their dachas. The original name of the street was Kalinin Prospekt, named after one of the revolution leaders Mikhail Kalinin. The name was changed to Noviy Arbat during the post-soviet period in 1994.
These thin, crepe-like pancakes have been consumed in Russia for centuries. Today they are the most popular type of Russian street food, and the most popular place to buy them is the “Teremok” chain. The staff at these cafes dress in old-style Russian costumes and address their customers as “sudar” and “sudarynya” – the old Russian form of “sir” and “madam.” Solid round blini are cooked on a griddle while you wait and can be had with fillings ranging from ham, cheese or red caviar to honey, jam or sweetened condensed milk. Teremok is even expanding its empire abroad – you can find an outlet in Midtown Manhattan!
St. Petersburg is a Russian port city on the Baltic Sea. It was the imperial capital for 2 centuries, having been founded in 1703 by Peter the Great, subject of the city’s iconic “Bronze Horseman” statue. It remains Russia’s cultural center, with venues such as the Mariinsky Theatre hosting opera and ballet, and the State Russian Museum showcasing Russian art, from Orthodox icon paintings to Kandinsky works.
Nevsky is crossed by three canals which are an integral part of St. Petersburg’s beauty. There are a great number of rivers and canals in the city – it is a city “on water”. That is why it is often referred to as “the Northern Venice” or “the Northern Amsterdam”. There is no pleasure like taking a wonderful boat trip along rivers and canals of our “bridge city”.
Whilst taking a stroll along Nevsky Prospekt you cannot fail to notice the impressive Cathedral of Our Lady of Kazan. Kazan Cathedral, constructed between 1801 and 1811 by the architect Andrei Voronikhin, was built to an enormous scale and boasts an impressive stone colonnade, encircling a small garden and central fountain. The cathedral was inspired by the Basilica of St. Peter’s in Rome and was intended to be the country’s main Orthodox Church. After the war of 1812 (during which Napoleon was defeated) the church became a monument to Russian victory. Captured enemy banners were put in the cathedral and the famous Russian Field Marshal Mikhail Kutuzov, who won the most important campaign of 1812, was buried inside the church.
The church itself is an architectural marvel. Built by the French-born architect Auguste Montferrand to be the main church of the Russian Empire, the cathedral was under construction for 40 years (1818-1858), and was decorated in the most elaborate way possible. When you enter the cathedral you pass through one of the porticos – note that the columns are made of single pieces of red granite and weight 80 tons (about 177,770 pounds) each. Inside the church many of the icons were created using moaic techniques and the iconostasis (the icon wall that separates the altar from the rest of the church) is decorated with 8 malachite and 2 lapis lazuli columns. The cathedral, which can accommodate 14,000 worshipers, now serves as a museum and services are held only on significant ecclesiastical holidays.
The first residential building to be built in the newly founded city of St. Petersburg was a wooden house or cabin, intended for Tsar Peter himself. The cabin is very small – only 60 sq. meters in area and is a strange combination of a traditional Russian house – izba – and a Dutch home with large and elaborate windows and high roof, covered with wooden tiles. Tsar Peter lived in this house between 1703 and 1708 and the living room, bedroom and study, still filled with Peter’s original belongings, still bear the mark of his presence. Peter the Great wanted all the houses of his new city to be built of stone, the way it was done in Europe. But he could not afford a stone house at the time, so he ordered the walls to be painted as if the house was made of bricks.
A pioneer in loft design and one of the largest exhibition spaces in St. Petersburg, Etagi has been occupying the former Smolninsky Bread Factory since 2007. This fantastic conversion just ten minutes’ walk from Moskovsky Railway Station has plenty to keep visitors interested, including many of the original factory fittings seamlessly merged with the thoroughly contemporary design. Many of the interior elements of the old factory were preserved, such as the concrete pillars, a drilling machine and bread baking equipment.Apart from being an exhibition center for the arts, it is also a cultural center that holds the widest range of events, from film festivals to kid’s workshops and from rooftop parties to pet adoption fairs. It’s also home to the city’s first ever “container city”- rows of containers that are now used for street food cafés, shops and more.
The Hermitage Theater, which used to be imperial theatre during more than a century, is now proud to welcome guests all over the world.During all these years we are working to conserve rich traditions of the world famous classic Russian ballet. Ballet, without any doubt, is not just beautiful show, it is a form of art, which can be understood by everybody, no matter where from you are and which language do you speak. It is not surprising that we are housed in one of the buildings of the Hermitage – one of the most famous art museums in the whole world.
