Parks and the outdoors in Saint Petersburg

Parks and the outdoors in Saint Petersburg

1. SeeCastleCenter

   Tauride Palace

   Tavrichesky dvorets, Таврический дворец

   Firstly commissioned by Prince Grigory Potemkin of Tauridia to his favourite architect, Ivan Starov. Empress Catherine the Great gave Potemkin the land and the title of Prince of Tauridia for his services in conquering ancient Tauridia (now the Crimean Peninsula). Catherine II later bought the Palace, to be used as her summer townhouse. Much later yet (1906), it was transformed into the seat of the first Russian parliament, the Imperial State Duma. Immediately after the February Revolution of 1917, Tauride Palace housed the Provisional Government and the Petrograd Soviet. The abortive Russian Constituent Assembly held its meetings there in 1918. Since the 1990s, Tauride Palace has been home to the Interparliamentary Assembly of Member Nations of the Commonwealth of Independent States (IPA CIS). Take a Parliament tour in Tauride Palace: During the tour, guests will make a walk in three state rooms and other spaces of the Tauride Palace, learn the history of its inhabitants, visit the magnificent Duma Hall - the place of the State Duma of the Russian Empire, to see an exhibition on the history of Russian parliamentarism. Duration: 60 min. Only possible by prior arrangement with a passport.

   Mon-Fri from 10:00 to 16:00 only by prior arrangement (2-3 days earlier)·RUB 3000/group; for locals RUB 2000/group max 20 person · Heritage listed · Built 1789

2. SeeMonumentCenter

   Summer Garden

   Летний сад / Letny sad

   The Summer Garden (Russian: Летний сад, romanized: Letny sad) is a historic public garden that occupies an eponymous island between the Neva, Fontanka, Moika, and the Swan Canal in downtown Saint Petersburg, Russia and shares its name with the adjacent Summer Palace of Peter the Great. Its inception dates back to the early 18th century when Russia took these lands from Sweden in the Great Northern War. Being a monument of landscape architecture featuring original and copied sculptures of classical mythology characters, a former royal palace and a monument to the fable author Ivan Krylov, the garden is now a branch of the Saint Petersburg-based national art treasury Russian Museum.

   Closed · opens 10 am tomorrow·Free · Built 1704

3. SeeMuseumPetrograd Side

   Botanical Garden

   Ботанический сад

   With an arboretum, flower garden, botanical museum and a large complex of greenhouses (greenhouses can only be accessed with a guided tour).

   The greenhouses are open all year round, but are closed on Mondays. The park is open daily from May to October

4. DoTheatreCenter

   Mikhailovskiy Theater

   Михайловский театр

   Designed by Alexander Brullov to match the existing ensemble of then Mikhailovsky Square, now Arts Square, its curtain rose on 8 November 1833 for the first time. Officially, it's the St Petersburg Mussorgsky State Academic Opera and Ballet Theatre — Mikhailovsky Theatre. The exterior is not as recognizable as the Mariinsky, but the interior is nearly as grand, and the theater hosts both Russian and foreign headliners in opera and ballet.

   RUB 600-15000

5. SeeCastleCenter

   Belosselsky-Belozersky Palace

   Дворец Белосельских-Белозерских; Palace of the Grand Duchess Elizabeth Fyodorovna, Sergei Palace, Dmitry Palace

   This is a Neo-Baroque palace. Built on Nevsky Prospekt in 1747 for Prince Mikhail Andreevitch Belosselsky. The original building far smaller than it is today, was designed in the French style with a large private garden and a launch onto the canal, stuccoed and painted in imitation of Parisian limestone. The present palace is said to look similar to the nearby Rastrelliesque Stroganov Palace which is further up the Nevsky Prospect, on the corner of Moika canal. After their major renovations in 1847-48, the palace — complete with piano nobile, concert hall, Van Loo paintings, and palace church — acquired a dazzling Rococo appearance. In 1883, Grand Duke Sergei Alexandrovich bought and gave the palace its present red exterior. During the First World War, the palace was the base of the Anglo-Russian Hospital. In 1907, it was nationalised and went on to house a regional Soviet until 1991, when it was designated a municipal cultural centre. Now host chamber concerts for small audiences. It today also hosts a large wax work.

6. SeeAttractionCenter

   The Admiralty

   Зда́ние Гла́вного Адмиралте́йства

   Not open to visitors, but worth seeing from the outside. One of the oldest buildings in St. Petersburg, it was laid down November 5, 1704 and was built as a shipyard for ships of war and as a fortress to protect the nascent city. The shape of the Admiralty spread-eagled like the letter "U" facing the Neva. The central building is cut by a large arch, crowned by a monumental tower and spire, which ends with the famous ship, one of the symbols of St. Petersburg. The side wings of the building, facing the Neva, are decorated with statues of dolphins flagpoles. In its present form, it was constructed in 1806-1823 by the architect Andreyanov Zakharov, who fit perfectly, in the restructuring, the spire tower by Ivan Korobov from the former Admiralty building. Around the building there is the little Alexander Garden. The Admiralty building is an important dominant center of St. Petersburg. It is included in ensembles of three central areas of the city: the Palace, Senate and St. Isaac's. The three city-"rays" depart from the tower of the Admiralty: northern - Nevsky Prospekt, the central - Gorkhovaya Street, and south - Voznesensky Prospekt.

7. SeeCenter

   Field of Mars

   Мемориальный парк Ма́рсово по́лe, Marsovo Polye

   Beautiful Baroque garden with several military monuments, bordering the Field of Mars to the north are the beautiful and historic Marble Palace (Mramorny Dvorets), Suvorova Square and Betskoi’s, Ficquelmont and Saltykov’s houses. To the west are the Barracks of the Pavlovsky Regiment. The Moyka River forms the boundary to the south.

   Open now · open 24 hours·Free

8. SeeCastleCenter

   Anichkov Palace

   Аничков дворец, Санкт-Петербургский городской Дворец творчества юных

   Formerly owned by Antonio de Vieira, takes its name from the nearby Anichkov Bridge across the Fontanka. Designed for the Empress Elizabeth of Russia in a dazzling Baroque style, the palace came to be known as the most imposing private residence of the Elizabethan era. Built in 1754. There was extensive renovations and the palace got the newly-fashionable Neoclassical style, which was effected in 1778 and 1779. Simultaneously a regular park was laid out by an English garden architect, William Hould. After 1917, this was nationalized and designated the St. Petersburg City Museum. Since 1934, when it was converted into the Young Pioneer Palace, the palace has housed over hundred after-school clubs for more than 10,000 children. While a small museum inside is open to the public at selected times, the edifice is normally not accessible to tourists.

9. SeeCastlePetrograd Side

   Yelagin Palace

   Елагинский дворец

   The Yelagin Palace (1785-1790), hosting a museum and surrounded by a landscape park with a network of interconnected ponds, which occupies the entire island. It is possible to rent a boat there.

   Tue,Thu-Sun 10:00-18:30, Wed 12:00-20:00, Mon closed·RUB 150, RUB 100 reduced

10. SeeHistoric siteCenter

    Blue Bridge

    Синий мост, Siniy most

    This 97.3-m-wide bridge spans the Moika River and is the widest bridge in Saint Petersburg.

11. SeeCenter

    Tauride Garden

    Таврический сад, парк культуры и отдыха имени Первой пятилетки, Городской детский парк

    This was laid out in 1783-1789 on the estate of the Palace from which it took its name. The Tauride Garden was landscaped in English Romantic style, with landscape, ponds and canals designed to imitate nature. Trees and shrubs were brought in especially from England. In 1866 the Tauride Garden was opened to the public, and has remained a favorite spot with city dwellers for walks ever since.

    Closed · opens 5:30 am·Free · Built 1783

12. SeeCenter

    Mikhailovski Garden

    Михайловский сад

    It's more or less automatic to come here after visiting the Spilled Blood church. This garden is a combination of two landscape styles, geometric French on the edges, and naturalistic English in the center. In late spring and summer, classical music concerts are often held here.

13. SeeMemorialCenter

    Monument to Catherine II @ Ploshchad Ostrovskogo

    Ostrovsky Square, Yekaterinskiy sad, Katkin garden, площадь Островского

    On the south side of the Nevsky Prospekt. Its centerpiece is a famous monument to Catherine II, designed by the famous sculptor Michael Mikeshin. At the feet of the Empress shows nine sculptural portraits of nobles: generals Pyotr Rumyantsev, Grigory Potemkin, Alexander Suvorov, dignitaries Alexander Bezborodko, Ivan Betskoy, naval Basil Chichagov, Alexei Orlov and artists Gavriil Derzhavin and Yekaterina Dashkova. The monument is made of 600 blocks Serdobol granite, brought from the island of Valaam archipelago. The monument was dedicated in 1873.

14. SeeSouth

    Moscow Victory Park

    Moscow Victory Park is near the metro station "Park Pobedy" and covers an area bounded by streets Kuznetsovskaya, Basseinaya, Moscovski Prospekt and Yuri Gagarin Prospekt. The park area is 68 Ha. The Park features a former brick and pumice plant, which performed the role of crematorium during the siege of Leningrad. The park has a number of monuments: Monument to Marshal Georgy Zhukov, "Avenue of Heroes", "Alley of Memory," monuments "Rotunda" and "trolley", established in memory of the dead victims of the blockade and the city's defenders. The park has ponds, a former quarry, amusement park, cafes, you can hire boats, and in the winter - ice rink. Park was opened in 1946.

15. SeeCenter

    Saint Petersburg City Duma & Observation Deck

    Здание Думы

    Established in 1785. The Neoclassical headquarters of the Duma were erected on the main city avenue, Nevsky Prospekt, between 1784 and 1787. The famous Italianate tower was added in 1799–1804. In 1847–52, the edifice was rebuilt in the Neo-Renaissance style. Two more floors were added to the building in 1913–14. A spacious central hall of the City Duma was frequently let to host high-profile social events. Its distinctive tower can still be seen the whole length of Nevsky Prospekt after the crossing with Fontanka River. Observation deck at 47 m height.

    Observation deck: RUB 300-500, depending on time

16. SeeMemorialNorth

    Site of Pushkin’s Duel

    Место дуэли А.С.Пушкина

    A granite obelisk on the place where Pushkin was shot, perpetually adorned with fresh flowers. Leave the station, walk down Torzhkovskaya street, and turn left at the first light on Novosibirskaya street. Walk straight to the end of the road, cross the railway tracks and enter the park. The monument is across the park, to the left.

    Built 1937

17. SeeMemorialCenter

    Raskolnikov House

    Дом Раскольникова

    Fyodor Mikhailovich Dostoevsky (1821-1881) is one of Russia's most important writers. In his novel Crime and Punishment, Rodion Raskolnikov, a tormented young intellectual, walks from his home - this building is marked "Dom Raskolnikova" with a bronze plaque and a bust of the writer - hiding an axe beneath his coat, to kill and rob the elderly loathsome pawnbroker Alyona Ivanovna at her house by the Griboedov canal. This itinerary is famous, and commonly referred to as Murder Walk. The book is one of his most riveting works, capturing a distinctly Petersburgian atmosphere, without imperial palaces, classical architectural ensembles or promenades along aristocratic Nevsky Prospekt. Rather, Dostoevsky focused on Poor Folk, and The Insulted and the Humiliated (as two of his earlier works were titled) and on the crowded streets, dirty alleys, cheap taverns and dilapidated rooms around Sennaya Ploschad, an area where he would live for many years.

18. SeeSouth

    Aviators Park

    On the site of a former airport. In the park there is a monument to military pilots and a MIG-19 fighter. Also has some hills for skiing, sledding, or tubing in the winter

19. SeeNorth

    Sampson garden

    Сампсониевский сад

    Located on the site of the old cathedral cemetery. In the park stay a monument to the first builders of St. Petersburg.

    Open now · open 24 hours

20. SeeSouth

    Internationalists Park

    Internationalists park covers an area bounded by Glory Ave, Southern Chausseé, and Bucharest St. In the park there is the corresponding monument, the Church of St. George, some hills, and a pond left over from the formerly marshy Volkovka river. The park itself is very nice.

21. DoParkRight Bank

    Neva Garden

    сад Нева со статуей Охтенки

    The garden's nice and the statue pictures a Finnish girl from Okhta, which is pretty fitting because the Right Bank was always a Finnish and Swedish area.

22. SeeRight Bank

    Zanevsky Park

    Заневский парк

    Malookhtinskiy prospekt, 98

23. DoRight Bank

    Park "Malinovka"

    парк «Малиновка»

    Main park inside Porokhovye, small but nice. It has trees, ponds, a small area for kids and Ladozhskaya metro in 5 minutes

24. SeeRight Bank

    Malookhtinsky Park

    Малоохтинский парк

    Novocherkassky prospekt

25. SeeMemorialNorth

    Lenin House

    Дом, в котором находилась последняя нелегальная квартира В.И.Ленина

    Here was an illegal apartment for Lenin. From here went to Smolny to lead an armed uprising, on 24 October 1917. In the small garden in front of the house is a bust of Lenin.

26. SeeNorth

    Forestry University (LTA)

    Forestry Academy, Лесотехнический университет ( ЛТА), popularly Sawmill, «лесопилка»

    This area was part of the "English farm" Captain Alexander Davidson, in the 1800s. - LTA is one of the oldest industry teaching schools in Europe. Academy was founded in 1803 in Tsarskoye Selo, and since 1811 located here. The Academy became a source of manpower for science in the field of forestry. Four study buildings are surrounded with a beautiful park (65 ha), founded in 1827, a jewel of gardening art of XIX century, also very popular as recreational area.

27. SeeNorth

    Grenaderskiy Bridge

    Гренадерский мост

    built in 1971-1974. One of the three bridges across the Bolshaya Neva River, connecting Petrograd and Viborg side.

    Schedule of the bridge wiring: 02:45–03:45; 04:20–04:50

28. SeeNorth

    Liteyny Bridge

    Литейный мост

    This is the second permanent bridge across the Neva river in Saint Petersburg. It connects Liteyny Prospekt with Vyborgsky district. The bridge's length is 396 m, the width is 34 m. At the vicinity of the Liteyny Bridge, the Neva river reaches the maximum depth of 24 m.

    Schedule of the bridge wiring: 01:50-04:40

29. SeeNorth

    Sampson bridge

    Sampsonievskiy Most, Сампсониевский мост, мост Свобо́ды

    Former Freedom bridge (мост Свобо́ды, 1918—1993) and Vyborgskiy Bridge ( Вы́боргский мост, 19th cent.) Connects the right bank of the Neva River and the Petrograd island through Bolshoy Neva, linking Vyborg and Petrograd districts of St. Petersburg. The length 215 m (193 m), width of the bridge 27.7 m. This is a metal girder five-span bridge.

    Schedule of the bridge wiring: 02:10-02:45, 03:20-04:25

30. SeeNorth

    Shuvalovskiy park

    Шуваловский парк

    The Shuvalov Park also contains a network of old ponds; the Yellow Dacha, a wooden lodge designed by Maximilian Messmacher for his own family; the Parnassus hill, which used to offer views of the capital's downtown; and the Church of Sts. Peter and Paul, built in the 1840s to a Gothic Revival design by Alexander Brullov. It was at this church that Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov married Nadezhda Purgold in 1872.

31. SeeCenter

    Smolny Complex

    Смольный комплекс

    There is the Smolny Convent and the Smolny Institute, a yellow low building that was Russia's first educational establishment for women, created by decree under the personal patronage of Empress Catherine II, and continued to function until just before the 1917 revolution. A nice garden and iron-work grille around the institute date from the early 19th century. In 1917, the building was chosen by Vladimir Lenin as Bolshevik headquarters during the October Revolution. It was Lenin's residence for several months, until the national government was moved to the Moscow Kremlin. After 1991, the Smolny was used as the seat of the city mayor (governor after 1996) and city administration. Vladimir Putin worked there from 1991 to 1997.

32. DoPark

    Alexander Garden

    This park should not be confused with Alexander Park in St. Petersburg and Alexander Garden in Moscow. The Alexander Garden (Александровский сад) lies along the south and west façades of the Russian Admiralty in St.

33. SeeNorth

    Finnish (Finn) lake and Hill of Adolfova

    Финское (Чухонское) озеро и Адольфова гора

    This is a lake with an island on the edge of the park and with a small hill

34. SeeNorth

    Forestry University Park

    Парк Лесотехнического университета

    Developed in 1827-1830. In the park are 6 beautiful ponds with canals, they were dug in the 19th century. One of them, the most famous, is the Jordan Pond (Иорданский пруд), what used for religious procession.

35. BuyRight Bank

    June Shopping Center

    торгово-развлекательный центр «Июнь»

    Huge mall in the Porokhovye area, close to a nice park, pretty cheap overall and is like 5 minutes to walk from Ladozhskaya metro

36. SeeNorth

    Kushelevka Station

    Станция «Кушелевка»

    A railway junction station on the 'Road of Life' which played a major role to provide the city with food and weapons during the siege of Leningrad in WWII. Suburban trains to Lake Ladoga (Ладожское Озеро), Vaskelovo (Васкелово), Nevskaya Dubrovka (Невская Дубровка), Schlüsselburg (Шлиссельбург), Käkisalmi (Приозерск).

37. SeeNorth

    Lower Suzdal Lake

    Нижнее Суздальское озеро

    The largest of the lakes. On the southern shore of the lake is Shuvalovskoye Cemetery (kladbishche).

38. SeeNorth

    Middle Suzdal Lake

    Среднее Суздальское озеро

    This is the small group of lakes. On the southern shore of the lake is an indoor tennis court.

39. SeeSouth

    Monument to Soldiers-Internationalists

    The monument is in the correspondent park, near the intersection of Slavi Prospekt and the Bucharest street. The central part of the monument consists of two rocks, between which there is a bronze sculpture of "Warriors, rushing through the flames." On the ground in front of the monument is a sculpture of the Sorrowful Mother, ten granite slabs on which are carved the names of soldiers killed in Afghanistan, and the "eternal fire", lit from Piskarevsky cemetery. The monument was unveiled by the Council of the veterans of the war in Afghanistan "Afganvet" in 1998.

40. SeeNorth

    Natural History Institute

    Естественно-исторический институт

    Neo-Renaissance building on the Neva River Embankment. Built in 1858-1863. Here lived the famous composer Borodin A.P. between 1863 and 1887.

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Listings from the Wikivoyage guide to Saint Petersburg (CC BY-SA 4.0). Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL). Place data from Overture Maps. Some descriptions from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0).