The Moscow and Vitebsk railway stations are in the center; if you arrive by train, you can begin your sightseeing directly from the station. Baltic Railway Station is located just outside the center, but it makes sense to take the metro : Baltiiskaya or shuttle bus to the more interesting places (e.g. Palace Square). Finland Station is within walking distance from the Liteiny Bridge, to other parts of the center it's better to get into : Ploschad Lenina (Площадь Ленина) metro station. From Ladozhsky station it's better to take the subway :Ladozhskaya (Ладожская), because it is farther from the center, and the frequent traffic jams on Zanevsky Avenue.

• 59.92871730.3624331 Moscow railway station (Московский вокзал, Moskovskii vokzal, former Nicholaevsky, Oktyabrsky), Ploschad Vosstanya, Nevsky av.,85 (on Nevsky Prospekt and Uprising Square, : Ploshchad' Vosstaniya «Площадь Восстания», : Mayakovskaya 'Маяковская'; : 1М, 1Мб, 3, 3М, 3Мб, 4М, 4Мб, 5М, 5Мб, 7, 15, 22, 26, 27, 54, 65, 74, 76, 91, 141, 181, 191. : 1, 5, 7, 10, 11, 22), ☏ +7 812 457-4428. Erected in 1847-1851 under the project of architect Konstantin Ton, a "twin" of the Leningrad station built in Moscow. Also called Moscow station, with an easily recognizable Neo-Renaissance frontage is a terminal railway station. It is a terminus for the Moscow-Saint Petersburg Railway and other lines running from Central and South Russia, Siberia, Eastern Ukraine, and Crimea. The oldest preserved station in the city. Although large "Venetian" windows, two floors of Corinthian columns and a two-storey clocktower at the centre explicitly reference Italian Renaissance architecture, the building incorporates other features from a variety of periods and countries. Expanded in 1869-79 and 1912. Completely redeveloped in 1950-52 and 1967. A bronze bust of Peter the Great in the main vestibule was unveiled in 1993, replacing a bust of Lenin. The station is served by the Mayakovskaya and Vosstaniya Square stations of the Saint Petersburg Metro, with both stations linked to the station building by an underground corridor.  

• 59.93156130.3605672 Ploschad Vosstanya subway station (Станция метро «Площадь Восстания», Uprising Square station), Ploschad Vosstanya (: Ploshchad' Vosstaniya «Площадь Восстания»). Daily 05:40-00:25. This is a station on the Kirovsko-Vyborgskaya Line of Saint Petersburg Metro. It is one of the system's original stations. Made by architects Boris Zhuravlev, Ivan Fomin and VV Gankevich, built in 1955. It is a deep underground pylon station at 58 m depth. The main surface vestibule sits on Vosstaniya Square, which gives its name to the station. Another exit (opened in 1960) opens directly into the Moskovsky Rail Terminal. Ploshchad Vosstaniya is connected to the station Mayakovskaya of the Nevsko-Vasileostrovskaya Line via a transfer corridor and a set of escalators.  

You can get everywhere on foot, and simply strolling the elegant streets is a delight. Although the district is divided by canals, they're narrow and don't constrain progress: the streets crisscross them and you don't have to factor in bridge closures or the like. (Crossing their social and real-estate divisions is another matter, especially over the Fontanka, as the Bolsheviks would furiously point out.) Tourist boats potter along the canals in summer but there are no public water-buses. To the north and east however the district is bounded by the broad channel of the River Neva, where you do have to consider which bridge to use.

All five branches of the Saint Petersburg metro pass through the center, forming several hubs.

The most central stations are:

• Admiralteyskaya (Адмиралтейская) - a new and most central station with access to Malaya Morskaya Street (Station "Admiralteskaya-2", and their connection, are still under construction), the nearest station to the Winter Palace, St. Isaac Square, and the Admiralty.
• Nevsky Prospekt (Невский проспект)/ Gostiny Dvor (Гостиный двор) - at the intersection of Nevsky Prospekt and Sadovaya Street, next to the Kazan Cathedral, the Ostrovsky and Arts Squares, Gostiny Dvor and Apraksin Dvor. They can be particularly crowded.
• Sennaya Ploschad (Сенная площадь)/Spasskaya (Спасская) /Sadovaya (Садовая)- the only site where three subway stations meet in St. Petersburg, near the Sennaya ("Haymarket") Square. The proper place to engage in Dostoevskian literary tourism, and explore some less fashionable, but no less interesting places, such as St. Nicholas Cathedral, the Mariinsky Theater and the channels nearby;

The stations in the outer part of the Center, beyond the Fontanka canal:

• Ploschad Vosstanya (Площадь Восстания)/Mayakovskaya (Маяковская)- Uprising Square, on the intersection of Nevsky and Ligovsky prospects, adjacent to the Moscow Station. Major transport hub in St. Petersburg.
• Vladimirskaya (Владимирская)/Dostoevskaya (Достоевская)- at the Vladimirskaya Square, where Vladimirsky and Zagorodny Prospekts converge. Close to the Five Corners and Dostoevsky Museum;
• Chernyshevskaya (Чернышевская) - located in a quiet and pleasant area near the Tauride Gardens, the closest station to Smolny (about 2 km).
• , Ploschad Aleksandra Nevskogo (Площадь Александра Невского-1) - at the end of Nevsky Prospekt near the Alexander Nevsky Monastery and the Alexander Nevsky bridge across the river;
• Pushkinskaya and Zvenigorodskaya - in the middle of Zagorodny Prospekt at Vitebsk Station;
• Ligovsky Prospekt (Лиговский проспект)- at the Ligovsky Avenue;
• , Tekhnologichesky Institut 1 and 2 (Технологический институт)- in the area of Technology Institut;

Just outside the city center to the south of the Obvodny Canal:

• Baltiyskaya (Балтийская)- at the Baltiysky Station, on the border of the city center;
• Frunzenskaya(Фрунзенская) - at the intersection of Moskovsky Prospekt and Obvodny Canal - directly adjacent to the city center;
• Obvodny Canal (Обводный канал)- at the intersection of Obvodny Canal and Ligovsky Prospekt.

• 59.94130.31291 State Hermitage Museum (Государственный Эрмита́ж, gosudarstvenny ermitazh,Зимний дворец, zimniy dvorets, Winter Palace), Dvortsovaya Ploschad (Dvortsovaya Square). Palace Embankment, 38 (: Admiralteyskaya «Адмиралтейская» 0.6 km S). Tu-Su 10:30–18:00 (W till 21:00). A massive palace-museum showing the highlights of a collection of over 3,000,000 pieces of international art, primarily western European art. Hosted in the Winter Palace, the former main residence of the Russian tsars. The Hermitage is truly one of the world's great museums, with an imposing setting displaying priceless works by Rembrandt, Leonardo, Michelangelo, Rubens and more, including many pieces that were looted from Central and Eastern Europe by the Red Army during World War II. Getting a tour guide is recommended: the additional information they impart can be well worth the price, and they can readily take you directly to the items you want to see. Large bags aren't allowed in the museum, and a massive cloakroom downstairs (no charge, as usual in Russia) exists to assist with jackets and bags. Drinks or liquids are not allowed in the museum after an incident in 1985 when a protester vandalized Danaë, a Rembrandt painting, with sulfuric acid. In some rooms and in all temporary exhibits, photography is prohibited. However, at other times the museum can limit the admission rate because of the numbers already in the museum. In this case having purchased your tickets in advance won't save you as much time. There are also ticket machines just before you get to the cash desk which have much shorter lines. The museum has a cafe and large shop near the entrance, and numerous small shops throughout the galleries. Audio guides are available in English, and most signs in the gallery are in English and Russian. Tickets can be purchased online with accepted forms of payment. Scan the QR code at the stated turnstile for entry. Students of all nationalities get in for free with student photo ID. Entry fee is 500 руб to 700 руб, depending on the museum; free for students of all nationalities with student photo ID; free on the first Thursday of the month. Guide books: 300 руб.  

• • 59.938130.31722 The General Staff building of the Hermitage (Здание Главного штаба, Zdanie Glavnovo Shtaba), 2 Palace Square (: Admiralteyskaya «Адмиралтейская» 300 m S). Closed on Mondays. Designed by Carlo Rossi and built in 1819-1829, this is a building laid out in the shape of an arch, with an arch, in Palace Square. The building consists of two blocks, forming a 580-meter arc. There is a triumphal arch, dedicated to the victory in the War of 1812, decorated with a sculptural composition in the form of a chariot drawn by six horses. In the chariot is the winged goddess of Fame, holding a standard in his left hand, and a laurel branch in the right. The composition is made by sculptors Stepan Pimenov and Vasily Demuth-Malinovsky. Inside is a museum where paintings of many famous artists such as Van Gogh, Matisse, Renoir, Monet, and Cézanne each have a separate room. 500 руб.  

• 59.93277830.3397223 Anichkov Palace (Аничков дворец, Санкт-Петербургский городской Дворец творчества юных), Nevsky Prospekt (Невский проспект), 38 (at the intersection of Nevsky Avenue and the Fontanka, : К187), ☏ +7 812 314-9555, [email protected]. 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.  

• 59.93868130.3323864 Russian Museum (Государственный Русский музей, Mikhailovskiy Palace, Михайловский дворец, former Ру́сский Музе́й Импера́тора Алекса́ндра III), Inzhenernaya Ul. 4 (at Pushkin's back : Nevskiy prospekt «Невский проспект» 0.4km S), ☏ +7 812 595 4248, [email protected]. W-M 10:00-18:00. An extensive collection of Russian paintings and sculpture, works by Andrei Rublev, Dionisius, Fedot Shubin, Dmitry Levitsky, Vladimir Borovikovsky, Karl Brullov, Fidelio Bruni, Orest Kiprensky, Alexander Ivanov, Ilya Repin, Arkhip Kuindzhi, Ivan Shishkin, Valentin Serov, Mikhail Vrubel, Pavel Antokolsky, Boris Kustodiev, Kazimir Malevich, Wassily Kandinsky, Pavel Filonov, Marc Chagall, Kuzma Petrov-Vodkin and many other artists. The main building, the Mikhailovskiy Palace houses the main exhibits, and the Russian Museum also oversees the permanent and temporary exhibits, tickets to each can be purchased separately or as a universal pass. From 450 руб, depending on museum.  
  • 59.9387230.328745 Benois Wing (Russian Museum Korpus Benua, Ко́рпус Бенуа́), Canal Griboedova (набережная канала Грибоедова), 2/2 (: Nevsky Prospekt «Невский проспект»). As the collection increased in 1914–1919, the Exhibition Pavilion of the Imperial Academy of Arts was built according to the project of Leonty Benois and S. O. Ovsyannikov.  
  • 59.94517630.3267996 Marble Palace (Мраморный дворец, Constantine Palace), Millionnaya ulitsa, 5А (Between the Field of Mars and Palace Quay,: Nevsky Prospekt «Невский проспект», to stop 'Суворовская площадь' take Bus: 46, 49. or Share taxi: К46, К76.), ☏ +7 812 312-9196. This is an architectural monument of the 1760s. There is the combination of sumptuous ornamentation with rigorously classicizing monumentality. The palace takes its name from its opulent decoration in a wide variety of polychrome marbles. A rough-grained Finnish granite on the ground floor is in subtle contrast to polished pink Karelian marble of the pilasters and white Urals marble of capitals and festoons. Panels of veined bluish gray Urals marble separate the floors, while Tallinn dolomite was employed for ornamental urns. In all, 32 disparate shades of marble were used to decorate the palace. The plan of the edifice is trapezoidal: each of its four facades, though strictly symmetrical, has a different design. The palace court is dominated by a sturdy equestrian statue of Alexander III of Russia, or Alexander Alexandrovich Romanov (10 Mar 1845–1 Nov 1894) who was Emperor of Russia, King of Poland and Grand Prince of Finland, the most famous work of sculptor Paolo Troubetzkoy; formerly it graced the obelisk's spot at Vosstanya Square, before the Moscow Railway Station. In 1843, Grand Duke Constantine Nikolayevich decided to redecorate the edifice, renaming it Constantine Palace. An adjacent church and other outbuildings were completely rebuilt, while the interior of the palace was refurbished in keeping with the eclectic tastes of its new owner. Only the main staircase and the Marble Hall survived that refacing and still retain the refined stucco work and elaborate marble pattern of Rinaldi's original decor. Former Lenin Museum, now, the palace accommodates permanent exhibitions of the Russian State Museum, notably "Foreign Artists in Russia (18th and 19th centuries)" and the "Peter Ludwig Museum at the Russian Museum", featuring canvases by Andy Warhol and other Pop Art idols.  
  • Mikhailovsky Palace, 4 Inzhenernaya Str. (Metro - Gostiny Dvor, Nevsky Prospekt), ☏ +7 812 595-4248. 
  • 59.94041730.3376397 Mikhailovsky Castle / St. Michael's Castle (Mikhailovsky Castle or the Engineers' Castle, Миха́йловский за́мок, Mikhailovsky zamok, Inzhenerny zamok), Sadovaya ulitsa (Садовая улица), 2 (: Gostinyy Dvor 0.7km S). Each one of its façades is different. Surrounded by a moat with drawbridge, built by Paul I who feared for his life - in fact he was murdered here inside, in his bedroom. Nowadays a branch of the Russian Museum, its Portrait Gallery, is housed here. 
  • 59.93574230.3207748 Stroganov Palace (Строгановский дворец), Nevsky Prospekt (Невский пр.), 17, ☏ +7 812 571-8238. W-Su 10:00-18:00 and M 10:00-17:00 (ticket office closes an hour earlier).. Now the palace is a branch of the Russian Museum. The palace was built to Bartolomeo Rastrelli's designs for Baron Sergei Grigoriyevich Stroganov in 1753-1754. The interiors were remodeled by Andrei Voronikhin at the turn of the 19th century. The main façade of the Stroganov palace faces Nevsky Prospect. Here, Rastrelli rejects the cour d'honneur in the French manner. By this time, Rastrelli has developed his own style based on exploring the impressive façade, which implies the presence of three risolites, the subordination to a single center, rejection of verticalization, and stretching the building horizontally. Rastrelli gives the building a single mass movement toward the center. He skillfully emphasizes this by subordinating the lateral risolites to the central, imposing group of columns of purely decorative, not architectonic, function, deliberately building up tension toward the center of the sculpted front. Rastrelli uses the giant order, the method of visual fusion of the second and third floor windows, typical for the Baroque, and the differentiated arrangement of columns closely adjacent to the wall in order to create a masterful effect and an impressive Baroque façade facing St. Petersburg's main thoroughfare. The facade carries an entrance arch supported by two Corinthian columns. The arch is crowned with a pediment bearing the Stroganov coat of arms. The spaces under the windows on the facade feature a man's profile. There are two practically anecdotal versions regarding this man's identity. According to one version, the man is the first owner of the palace, Baron Stroganov, whom Rastrelli wanted to surprise. However, many historians claim that the famous architect in fact left his own profile on the palace walls.  

• 59.93798130.3344399 Ethnographic Museum (Российского этнографического музея), Inzhenernaya Ulitsa (Инженерная ул.), 4/1 (Next to the Russian Museum : Gostinyy dvor 0.3km S), ☏ +7 812 570-5715, fax: +7 812 315-8642. Tu 10:00-21:00, W-Su 10:00-18:00, Day off M & the last F of the month. An interesting and educational display of the traditions and costumes of various ethnic groups found in the lands of the former Russian Empire, the vast territory between the Baltic Sea in the West and the Pacific Ocean in the East. The collection provides some marvelous insights into the history, culture and lifestyles of all those peoples, Russians, Ukrainians, Belorussians, peoples and tribes of the Caucasus, Central Asia and Siberia. Impressive collections of ancient Afghan armours and Chinese and Japanese traditional clothes and crafts. From 450 руб.  

• 59.94830.37610 Tauride Palace (Tavrichesky dvorets, Таврический дворец), Ul. Shpalernaya (Шпалерная ул.), 47 (M Чернышевская), ☏ +7 812 326-6911. M-F from 10:00 to 16:00 only by prior arrangement (2-3 days earlier). 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. 3000 руб/group; for locals 2000 руб/group max 20 person.  

• 59.9431130.3756111 Suvorov Museum (Музей Суворова), ul. Kirochnaya, 43 (metro Chernyshevskaya), ☏ +7 812 579-3914, fax: +7 812 274-2850, [email protected]. Th-Tu 10:00-18:00, closes W. Alexander Vasilyevich Suvorov (1730-1800) was one of Russia's most outstanding generals, a military strategist and army commander during the reign of Empress Catherine the Great and Emperor Paul I. The museum features military memorabilia from Suvorov's times: weapons, banners, uniforms, models and large graphic recreations of historic battlefields. Two large mosaics decorate its façade. Both are based on historical events; the left-hand one features "Suvorov Crossing the Alps" and the right-hand one illustrates "Suvorov leaving home for the campaign of 1799".  

• 59.9444730.3408612 Museum of the Defense of Leningrad (Музей обороны и блокады Ленинграда, музей обороны Ленинграда), Solyanoy Pereulok (Соляной пер.), 9 (: Chernyshevskaya «Чернышевская»)), ☏ +7 812 275-7208, +7 812 279-3021 (Guided tours). The museum is in a former Handicraft Museum (1901-1903, architect PP Trifanov), what is part of the museum buildings Solyanka quarter. Museum dedicated to the events of the Leningrad blockade. This has a branch museum: 'the national museum Road of Life' in Kokkorevo village. The collection include: samples of weapons and household items, campaign posters, documents, maps, newspapers period battle, documentary evidence of the conditions of life in the besieged Leningrad, paintings and sculptures participants battle. 150 руб. 

• 59.9296930.2952213 Naval Museum (also Bourse, Здание Биржи, Военно-морской музей), Naberezhnaya Kryukova Kanala, 2,, ☏ +7 812 328-27-01, fax: +7 (812) 328-27-01, [email protected]. W-Su 11:00-18:00. The Naval Museum, one of the largest in the world, contains historical displays of the Russian navy from its founding to the present day, including weaponry, models of ships, and even some original mastheads. Extensive World War II display, and also (not directly related to Naval history) a diorama box of the storming of the Winter Palace in 1917. 450 руб.  

• 59.92750630.35359414 Russian State Arctic and Antarctic Museum (Музей Арктики и Антарктики), Ul. Marata (ул. Марата), 24 (: 'Площадь Восстания' /: 'Маяковская', : 'Владимирская'/: 'Достоевская', : 16, 25, 49 to stop 'Улица Марата'), ☏ +7 812 571-2549, fax: +7 812 764-6818, [email protected]. Tu–Sa 10:00–18:00, Ticket office -17:30; Su 10:00–17:00- Tickets -16:30. It was established in November 1930 as part of the Soviet Arctic and Antarctic Research Institute, but was not opened until six years later. The museum is located in Avraam Melnikov's Neoclassical church from the 1820s and remains the largest museum dedicated to polar exploration in the world. 200 руб. 

• 59.921130.3253415 Medical Military Academy Museum (При Военно-медицинской академии имеется музей), Lazaretny lane (Лазаретный переулок), 2 (m. «Пушкинская» or : 16), ☏ +7 812 3157287, [email protected]. Painting, photo, models, costume, numismatics sculpture collections. 

• 59.93083330.30944416 Mariinsky Palace (Мариинский дворец), Isaakiyevskaya ploshchad'(Исаакиевская площадь), 6 (: 10, 70 to stop 'Исаакиевская площадь'). Also known as Marie Palace. Built in 1839—44, by architect Andrei Shtakenshneider. In the 18th century, the plot belonged to Zakhar Tchernyshov and contained his mansion. In 1825-39, the Tchernyshov mansion housed a military school. Emperor Nicholas I conceived as a present to his daughter Grand Duchess Maria Nikolaevna of Russia on the occasion of her marriage. Although the reddish-brown facade is elaborately rusticated and features Corinthian columns arranged in a traditional Neoclassical mode, the whole design was inspired by the 17th-century French Baroque messuages. Other eclectic influences are apparent in the Renaissance details of exterior ornamentation and in the interior decoration, with each main room designed in a different historic style. Until 1917, housing the State Council of Imperial Russia, State Chancellory, and Soviet of Ministers. After the October Revolution, the palace housed various Soviet ministries and academies. Later served as a hospital. From 1945 became the residence of the Leningrad Soviet (Ленсовет), succeeded by the Saint Petersburg Legislative Assembly in 1994.  

• 59.932730.344617 Belosselsky-Belozersky Palace (Дворец Белосельских-Белозерских; Palace of the Grand Duchess Elizabeth Fyodorovna, Sergei Palace, Dmitry Palace), Nevsky Prospekt (Невский проспект), 41/42 (at the intersection of the Fontanka River and Nevsky Prospekt; to stop 'Литейный проспект' by : 181 or by : 1, 5, 7, 10, 11, 22). 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.  

• Faberge Museum, Fontanka River Embankment, 21, ☏ +7 812 333-26-55. Daily 10:00-20:45. Established by Viktor Vekselberg and his Link of Times foundation in order to repatriate lost cultural valuables to Russia. Contains more than 4,000 works of decorative applied and fine arts, including gold and silver items, paintings, porcelain and bronze. A highlight of the museum's collection is the group of nine Imperial Easter eggs created by Fabergé for the last two Russian Tsars. Vekselberg purchased the eggs from Malcolm Forbes in 2004 for $100 million. 500 руб; Guided tours 1000 руб. 

• Shadow Museum, Bolshaya Konyushennaya St, 5А, ☏ +7 812 333-26-55. Daily 11:00-22:00, last entry 21:00 Visits by guided tour only, every 30 minutes in Russian and English. A unique contemporary art museum in which modern art objects in the style of shadow art are represented. Adult 550 руб, student 450 руб. 

• Magic Museum, Nevsky Ave, 74-76, ☏ +7 800 550-82-04. Daily 10:00-21:00. Performances by illusionists and mind readers. Exhibits on magic history and methods. 550 руб-1000 руб. 

• 59.93916730.31583318 Alexander Column (Алекса́ндровская коло́нна, Aleksandrovskaya kolonna) also known as Alexandrian Column Александри́йская коло́нна, Aleksandriyskaya kolonna), 2-y Admiralteyskiy ostrov, Dvortsovaya ploschad (2-й Адмиралтейский остров, Дворцовая площадь) (: Admiralteyskaya 400 m S). Dedicated to the Russian victory over Napoleonic France in the Patriotic War of 1812. This work holds second place, in importance, on the biography of architect Auguste Montferrand, after the construction of St. Isaac's Cathedral. The Angel sculpture was executed by talented sculptor Boris Orlovsky. The Column was inaugurated in 1834. A distinctive feature of the Alexander Column is that it's a granite monolith height 25.6 m, standing only by gravity. The total height of the monument is 47.5 m, taller than similar monuments: the Vendome column in Paris (in honor of the victories of Napoleon), the ancient Trajan's column in Rome and Pompaeus Magnus's one in Alexandria. Alexander Column is the tallest solid granite monument in the world, and the third highest after the Grand Army Column in Boulogne-sur-Mer and Trafalgar column (Nelson's Column) in London.  

• 59.94578130.32994219 Alexandr Suvorov Monument (Памятник Александру Суворову), Suvorovskaya ploshchad (Суворовская площадь) (opposite the Trinity Bridge). Suvorov Square is part of the former Tsaritsyn meadows. 

• 59.9309730.3612620 'Hero-City of Leningrad obelisk @ Ploschad Vosstanya (Площади Восстания, Uprising Square), Ploschad Vosstanya (: Ploshchad' Vosstaniya «Площадь Восстания», : Mayakovskaya 'Маяковская'). The Soviet-era Hero-City of Leningrad obelisk (Обелиск «Городу-герою Ленинграду») at Ploschad Vosstanya is also the location of the Veterans Parade on every Victory Day (9 May), when the square is decorated with banners.  

• 59.933130.336721 Monument to Catherine II @ Ploshchad Ostrovskogo (Ostrovsky Square, Yekaterinskiy sad, Katkin garden, площадь Островского), Ploshchad Ostrovskogo (площадь Островского) (: Gostinyy dvor 0.4 km N). 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.  

• 59.936430.302222 The Bronze Horseman (Медный всадник, mednii vsadnik), Senatskaya Ploschad former Decembriststov (beside St. Isaacs Cathedral, : "Sadovaya",: "Sennaya Ploshchad", : "Nevskiy Prospekt" or : "Gostiniy Dvor", then : 5, 22, : 3, 22, 27). 24/7. Statuesque symbol of the city, homage to Peter the Great, opened in 1782, the theme and title of one of the most important poems of the Russian language, written by Alexander Pushkin. Its pedestal is reputed to be the largest stone ever moved by human effort.  

• 59.93722230.33166723 Statue of Alexander Pushkin (памятник А. С. Пушкину), centerpiece of the square (: Nevskiy prospekt «Невский проспект» 300 m SW; : Gostiniy Dvor «Гостиный двор»). The great poet soliloquizes eternally. Made by sculptor Anikushin & architect V.A. Petrov in 1957. 

• 59.93972230.33277824 Mikhailovski Garden (Михайловский сад), Mikhailovsky Palace (adjacent to Church of Spilled Blood, share taxi: К100, or bus 49 to stop Inzhenernaya ulitsa (Инженерная улица)). 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.  

• 59.94333330.33194425 Field of Mars (Мемориальный парк Ма́рсово по́лe, Marsovo Polye), 1-y Admiralteyskiy ostrov (1-й Адмиралтейский остров), Naberezhnaya Lebyazhyey kanavki, ~3 (: Nevskiy prospekt 900 m S). 24/7. 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. Free.  

• NOT EXISTING LISTING IMAGE Summer Garden (Летний сад / Letny sad), Naberezhnaya Lebyazh'yey Kanavki (o an island between the Neva, Fontanka, Moika, and the Swan Canal). Free. 

• 59.9235130.3430626 Contemporary sculpture park at Saint Petersburg University (Парк современной скульптуры), Ul. Pravdy (ул. Правды ), 10-20 (M: Звенигородская). 

• 59.9451430.3731127 Tauride Garden (Таврический сад, парк культуры и отдыха имени Первой пятилетки, Городской детский парк), Potemkinskaya ulitsa (Потемкинская улица), 4, ☏ +7 812 329-5534. 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. Free.  

• 59.9340530.30628 Saint Isaac's Cathedral (Isaakievskiy Sobor, Исаа́киевский Собо́р), St. Isaac's Square, 4, ☏ +7 812 315-9732. Th-Tu 11:00-19:00. It was built in 1818, in the style of transition from classical to modern, and is a major attraction in the city. This is the most significant creation of Auguste Montferrand. The plan is a huge square building with a four-columned portico crowned by a large dome and four small bell towers at the corners. Three sculptures, depicting each of the 12 apostles, stand on the pediment portico. The building is interesting in technical terms too - it was the first use of a metal dome unit, and also the first time electroplating was applied to sculptures. Some scientists believe that the dome of St. Isaac's Cathedral was the archetype of the dome of the White House in Washington, D.C. St. Isaac's Cathedral is a now museum-monument, open to visitors daily, except Wednesdays (ticket office closes at 18:00). For an additional fee you can visit the colonnade of the central dome (ticket office closes at 17:00). Photos and videos are charged separately. The view from the colonnade (observation deck) is one of the best views of the city, for those who are willing to climb 400 steps. 450 руб.  

• 59.94016130.32859729 Church of the Saviour on Spilled Blood, Museum of Mosaics (Церковь Спаса на Крови, Tserkovʹ Spasa na Krovi, or Собор Воскресения Христова, Sobor Voskreseniya Khristova, Храм Спас-на-Крови), Canal Griboedova (набережная канала Грибоедова), 2a (between Nevsky Prospekt and the Neva, Nevsky Prospekt «Невский проспект», Gostiny Dvor «Гостиный двор»), ☏ +7 812 315-1636. Th-Tu 10:00-20:00. A traditional style Russian church built on the spot where Tsar Alexander II was assassinated in 1881. Built in 1883-1907, in style of Romantic Nationalism. Architecturally, the Cathedral harks back to medieval Russian architecture in the spirit of romantic nationalism. It intentionally resembles the 17th-century Yaroslavl churches and the celebrated St. Basil's Cathedral in Moscow. The interior is elaborately decorated with over 7000 m² of mosaics. The walls and ceilings inside the Church are completely covered in intricately detailed mosaics — the main pictures being biblical scenes or figures — but with very fine patterned borders setting off each picture. Adults/students 250 руб/150 руб. 

• 59.9488930.3940830 Smolny Complex (Смольный комплекс), ploshchad' Rastrelli (площадь Растрелли, 1), 1 (Share taxi: К15, К46). 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. 

• 59.9488230.3956931 Smolny Convent (Smolny Convent of the Resurrection, Voskresensky, Воскресенский девичий Смольный монастырь). Smolny Cathedral of the Resurrection (Smolny Cathedral), what is a gorgeous blue and white main church, considered to be one of the architectural masterpieces of architect Francesco Bartolomeo Rastrelli. The Cathedral is the centerpiece of the convent, built by Rastrelli between 1748 and 1764. The projected bell-tower was to become the tallest building in St. Petersburg and, at the time, all of Russia. Elizabeth's death in 1762 prevented Rastrelli from completing this grand design. The new Empress strongly disapproved of the baroque style, and funding that had supported the construction of the convent rapidly ran out. Rastrelli was unable to build the huge bell-tower he had planned and unable to finish the interior of the cathedral. In 1835 by Vasily Stasov with the addition of a neo-classical interior to suit the changed architectural tastes at the time. The main altar was dedicated to the Resurrection and the two side altars were dedicated to St. Mary Magdalene and Righteous Elizabeth. Today, Smolny Cathedral is used primarily as a concert hall and the surrounding convent buildings house various offices and government institutions. 

• 59.93422830.32459432 Our-Lady-of-Kazan Cathedral (Kazansky Sobor, Казанский собор, Каза́нский кафедра́льный собо́р, Собор Казанской иконы Божией Матери), Kazanskaya Ploschad (Казанская площадь), Nevsky Prospekt (Невский проспект), 25 and Canal Griboedova (: Nevsky Prospekt), ☏ +7 812 314-4663, [email protected]. M-F masses 10:00, 18:00, Su 07:00, 10:00, 18:00. Kazan Cathedral library M-Sa 11:00-16:00. One of the largest cathedrals in St. Petersburg. Impressive neoclassical exterior, richly decorated interior. The temple was built by Andrew Voronikhin in the years 1801-1811 and is the best of his creations. Paul I has set the task of the architect to build a cathedral, like the Vatican's St. Peter's Basilica in Rome. This is what the prototype he owes his great colonnade facing the Nevsky As planned Voronikhin same Colonnade was to be on the other side, but it was never implemented. By fate just built in 1811, the cathedral became a monument of Russian victories over Napoleonic France in the Patriotic War of 1812. Includes the tomb of Marshal Mikhail Kutuzov, hero of the war of 1812. And in 1837, statues of Kutuzov and Barclay de Tolly, by Boris Orlovsky, were installed on the square in front of the temple. It is also interesting to note that on the north side of the cathedral (leaving on Nevsky) there is a bronze copy of the "Gate of Paradise" by Lorenzo Ghiberti in the Florentine Baptistery. A copy was made by caster Basil Ekimov. In 1930 the cathedral was closed, and in 1932 a unique museum of the history of religion and atheism was set up here. Now the museum moved into the building on Post Office Street, and once again this is a cathedral church. Free entry.  

• 59.94330.35233 Cathedral of the Lord's Transfiguration of all the Guards (собор Преображения Господня всей гвардии), off Liteiny Prospekt, Preobrazhenskaya Sq. (Преображенская пл.), 1 (metro Chernyshevskaya), ☏ +7 812 579-6010, [email protected]. Ordered to be built by empress Elizabeth. Construction lasted from 1743 to 1754; designed by architect Mikhail Zemtsov. After the death of Mikhail Zemtsov, Pietro Antonio Trezzini headed construction. Trezzini slightly changed the project, changing the style to Baroque. Façades and the interior were restored between 1946 and 1948. From 1832-1833, a fence, formed by the barrels of Turkish cannons taken from Turkish fortresses, was built around the cathedral, commemorating the victory in the Russo-Turkish War of 1828-1829. Preserved on the barrels is the engraved coat of arms of the Ottoman Empire, and on some of the barrels can be seen the names given to the cannons.  

• 59.92130.38834 Alexander Nevsky Monastery (Lavra Aleksandra Nevskogo), 1 Monastyrka River Embankment (metro Ploschad Aleksandra Nevskogo; at the Eastern end of Nevskiy Prospekt, next to the River Neva), ☏ +7 812 274-1702, +7 812 274-2433. Peter I founded it in 1710, supposing that that was the site of the Neva Battle in 1240, where Prince Alexander Nevsky defeated the Swedes (however, the battle actually took place about 19 km away from that site). The purpose of the foundation was to house the relics of St. Alexander Nevsky, patron of the newly-founded Russian capital; however, the massive silver sarcophagus of St. Alexander was relocated during Soviet times to the Hermitage, where it remains (without the relics) today. In 1797, the monastery was raised to the rank of lavra, making it only the third lavra in the Russian Church, along with Kiev Monastery of the Caves and the Trinity Monastery of Sergeyev Posad. Here is also the site of the 'Tikhvin Cemetery' which houses the tombs of some very famous Russians: Mikhail Lomonosov, Alexander Suvorov, Nikolay Karamzin, Modest Mussorgsky, Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, Fyodor Dostoevsky, Mikhail Glinka, Natalia Goncharova and Alexander Borodin, along with others not so famous. 

• 59.936730.323935 Lutheran Church of Saint Peter and Saint Paul (German church, Лютеранская церковь святого апостола Петра, Петеркирхе, Lutherische Kirche der Heiligen Peter und Paul), Nevsky Prospekt,(Невский пр.), 22—24, ☏ +7 812 312-0798. Masses Su 10:30; W (in German) 18:00 and (in Russian) 19:00. It is one of the oldest and largest Protestant churches in Russia. It was and still is called the German church as its members were mostly German-speaking.  

• 59.935730.32936 Catholic Church of St. Catherine (Saint Catherine of Alexandria Roman Catholic Parish, Католическая церковь Святой Екатерины, Костёл святой Екатерины), Nevsky Prospekt (Невский пр.), 32—34. This is the oldest Catholic church in Russia, and the only church in Russia with the title of minor basilica. On October 7, 1783, the church was completed. Because the Empress at the time was Catherine II of Russia (also known as Catherine the Great), the church was named after St. Catherine of Alexandria. Under the Soviets, the activities of the church were repressed. For 30 years, the building was used only as storage space for the nearby "Museum of History of Religion and of Atheism" located in former Our Lady of Kazan Church. Since the 1980s the government used the building as offices and apartments. In 1992, city authorities decided to return the building to the Catholic Church. The restoration of the church was completed in 2008. The building is in the shape of a Latin cross. The transept of the church is crowned by a large cupola. The temple is 44 m in length, 25 m in width, and 42 m in height. The sanctuary has room for about 2,000 people. The main facade of the church has a monumental arched portal, which rests on self-supporting columns. Above the facade is a high parapet, with the figures of four evangelists and angels on top. Above the main entrance is an inscription from the Gospel of Matthew (in Latin): "My house shall be called the house of prayer" (Matthew 21:13) and the date the church was completed.  

• 59.93330.34337 Anichkov Bridge (Аничков мост, Anichkov Most), Nevsky Prospekt (Невский проспект) (at the Fontanka River). Built in 1841-42 and reconstructed in 1906-08, combines a simple form with some spectacular decorations. As well as its four famous horse sculptures (1849–50). The structure is mentioned in the works of Pushkin, Gogol, and Dostoevsky. The bridge was made of stone, and had three spans closed off with gently sloping arches. This simple, concise form corresponded well with the massive cast-iron fencing bordering Anichkov Bridge and mermaid cast-iron railings, designed by Karl Friedrich Schinkel for the Palace Bridge in Berlin. In 1906-08 the bridge had to be reconstructed and its arches reinforced. The Horse Tamers rank among the city's most recognizable landmarks. The theme derives from the colossal Roman marbles, often identified with the Dioscuri, prominently sited on the Quirinal Hill, Rome.  

• 59.93166730.30888938 Blue Bridge (Синий мост, Siniy most), ~Isaakiyevskaya ploshchad' (: 10, 70 to stop 'Исаакиевская площадь'). This 97.3-m-wide bridge spans the Moika River and is the widest bridge in Saint Petersburg.  

• 59.94875330.32740639 Trinity Bridge (Троицкий мост, Troitskiy Most) (M: Gorkovskaya 1.0 km NW). This is a bascule bridge across the Neva. It connects Kamennoostrovsky Prospect with Suvorovskaya Square. It was the third permanent bridge across the Neva, built between 1897 and 1903 by the French firm Société de Construction des Batignolles. It is 582 m long and 23.6 m wide. The bridge takes its name from the Old Trinity Cathedral which used to stand at its northern end. In the 20th century it was known as Equality Bridge (мост Ра́венства, 1918-1934) and Kirovsky Bridge (Ки́ровский мост, 1934-1999).  

• 59.93472230.32944440 Saint Petersburg City Duma & Observation Deck (Здание Думы), Nevsky Prospect, 31/ Ul.Dumskaya (Думская ул.), 34 (opposite Gostiny Dvor and Grand Hotel Europe). 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: 300-500 руб, depending on time.  

• 59.93388930.33555641 The National Library of Russia (Imperial Public Library 1795-1917; Russian Public Library 1917-1925; State Public Library from 1925-1992 (since 1932 named after M.Saltykov-Shchedrin); abbr. NLR, Российская национальная библиотека), Nevsky Prospekt (Невский проспект), 37/18 (on the corner of Nevsky Prospekt and Sadovaya Street), ☏ +7 812 310-7137, fax: +7 812 310-6148, [email protected]. Universal room, Manuscripts M-F 09.00-21.00, Sa Su 11.00-19.00. European Books (-1940), Library Science M-F 09.00-21.00, Sa 11.00-19.00, Su closed. Exhibition of Recent Acquisitions, Manuscripts M W-F 09.00-21.00, Sa Su 11.00-19.00. Prints M W F 13.00-21.00, Tu Th 09.00-17.00; Sa 11.00-19.00. Rare Books M-F 09.00-17.00. Computer Center M-F 09.00-21.00; Sa Su 11.00-19.00. Archive Tu Th 12.00-17.00; W F 10.00-15.00. Maps, Legal Information Center M W 13.00-21.00, Tu Th F 09.00-17.00, Sa 11.00-19.00. Xerocopy Service Counter M-F 10.00-16.00 & 16.30-20.00, Sa Su 11.00-15.30. Copy Desk for External Customers (separate entrance in Sadovaya str.) M-F 10.00-12.00, 13.00-17.00. Founded in 1795. Built by architect Yegor Sokolov specifically to be the Imperial Public Library. The library was opened in 1814 and since 1810 received a specimen copy of all domestic publications. It did not close even during the Leningrad blockade. The library is one of the largest in the world, its pool of more than 33 million books and documents. It has the largest collection of books in Russian in the world. There are such masterpieces as Ostrom Gospel 11th century (the oldest surviving book in Old English), fragments of the Codex Sinaiticus 4th century (in ancient Greek), Petersburg Code XI century (in Hebrew). Other units at Krylov House, Information Center, Bookshop M-Sa 10.00-20.00 (20, Sadovaya Street) & at New Building (165/2, Moskovsky Prospekt, hours=Newspapers M-F 09.00-21.00, Sa Su 11.00-19.00) & at The Building on the Fontanka Embankment (36, Fontanka Embankment; hours=Newspapers M-F 09.00-21.00, Computer Center M-F 13.00-21.00, Sa Su 11.00-19.00 ) at Liteyny Prospect's Asian & African Collection (49, Liteyny Prospect, hours=M-F 12.00-20.00) at Plekhanov House (1/33, 4th Krasnoarmeyskaya Street, hours=M-F 09.00-17.00) 

• 59.93760130.30857642 The Admiralty (Зда́ние Гла́вного Адмиралте́йства), north end of Nevsky Prospekt, Dvortsovy Passage (Дворцовый проезд), 1; Admiralteyskiy Passage (Адмиралтейский проезд), 1; Admiralty Embankment (Адмиралтейская наб.), 2 (next to the Hermitage). 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.  

• 59.93527830.30138943 Former Senate and Synod Building (Здания Сената и Синода), Senate Square (Сенатская площадь) (: К252 to stop Senate Square). Built in style of the Empire, by Carl Rossi & A.E. Shtaubert, in 1829-1834. From 1925 until 2006 here was the Russian State Historical Archive. Now headquarters of the Constitutional Court of Russia.  

• 59.9340130.3025744 Manege, former riding academy (Конногвардейский манеж), Konnogvardeyskiy bulvar, 2 (: 70, 100 or : 5, 22 to stop 'Улица Якубовича'), ☏ +7 812 312-2243. Built for the Imperial Horse Guards fronting on Saint Isaac's Square, in 1804-07 to Quarenghi's austere Neoclassical design. The Horse Guards Boulevard takes its name from the building. The Manege is a low, rectangular block with arched openings and lunettes. Look like a 'mimics a 5th-century BC Athenian temple with a portico of eight Doric columns bearing a pediment and bas reliefs'. The marble statues of the Dioscuri standing beside their horses were patterned by sculptor Paolo Triscornia after the Fontana dei Dioscuri in Rome. Until to the late 1970s, the Saint Petersburg Manege has housed the city's main exhibition hall.  

• 59.9461230.3309245 Count Saltykov House, Saint-Petersburg State University of Culture and Arts (дом граф Салтыкова,Дом Гротена, Санкт-Петербургского государственного университета культуры и искусств, Gosudarstvennyy Universitet Kultury I Iskusstv), Dvortsovaya naberezhnaya (Дворцовая наб.), 4 (Suvorov square east side), ☏ +7 812 312-9521, [email protected]. 

• 59.9275130.30961246 Raskolnikov House (Дом Раскольникова), Grazhdanskaya Ulitsa, 19 (metro Sadovaya). 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.  

• 59.936730.3277847 House of the Jesuit Order (Дом ордена иезуитов), ulitsa Italyanskaya 1 and Naberezhnaya Kanala Griboedova, 8 (Итальянская улица, 1 и Набережная канала Грибоедова, 8) (: Nevsky Prospekt). An architectural monument, apartment house, built in 1801-1805 by the architect Luigi Rusca, one member of the Jesuit order.  

• 59.9473630.3379648 Mozaichnyy Dvorik (Small Mosaic Academy of Arts) (Мозаика Малой Академии Искусств), ул. Чайковского, 2 (go in the yard from Fontanka & Neva corner; stop 'Улица Чайковского' on К76 or К100). 

• 59.9475230.3576649 Egyptian House (Египетский дом), Zakharyevskaya ulitsa (ул. Захарьевская), 23 (Metro: Chernyshevskaya 'Чернышевская'). Apartment building, a magnificent example of Russian Art Nouveau. At the entrance - sculpture sun god Ra, above the columns - bas Egyptian scenes, decorated archway into the yard. 

• 59.92555630.2961111 Mariinsky Theater (Мариинский театр), Theater Square 1 (Театральная площадь 1) (: 2, 3, 6, 27, 71 & : K1, K6K, K169, K306 to stop 'Theater Square'), ☏ +7 812 326 4141. The Mariinsky Theater (formerly the Kirov, which is the name the troupe still uses when touring abroad) is world-class for both opera and ballet. There are English supertitles for operas sung in Russian; operas in other languages have Russian supertitles. Performances are offered in three halls: the main theater located in the historical building, Mariinsky-2 (the new scene that is located in a futuristic building across Kryukov canal) and the newly-built Mariinsky Concert Hall. Tickets can be purchased on the theater's website. Cavos rebuilt it as an opera and ballet house with the largest stage in the world. With a seating capacity of 1,625 and a U-shaped Italian-style auditorium, the theatre opened on 2 October 1860 with a performance of A Life for the Tsar. The new theatre was named Mariinsky after its imperial patroness, Empress Maria Alexandrovna. price=600-15000 руб.  
• 59.93777830.3294442 Mikhailovskiy Theater (Михайловский театр), Ploshad Isskustv (Площади Искусств) 1 (Between the Russian Museum and the Grand Hotel Europe, : Nevsky Prospekt (Невский проспект), : К100), ☏ +7 812 595 4305, [email protected]. 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. 600-15000 руб.  
• 59.9329830.292773 St. Petersburg Opera (Санкт-Петербург Опера), Galernaya Ul. 33 (Галерная улица 33) (west of the Bronze Horseman. - From : Sadovaya "Садовая", : Sennaya Ploschad "Сенная площадь" further to stop "Plocshad Truda" : 186, 124, 169. - From : Admiralteyskaya "Адмиралтейская", further to stop "Plocshad Truda" : 22, 3, 27; : 22, 5; : 180, 16), ☏ +7 812 312 3982, [email protected]. An intimate theater (half-sized stage, and only about 150-200 audience seats) which puts on the major repertory operas at a lower price than the major theaters and has a fascinating foyer - one has to see it to believe it. 300-3000 руб.  
• 59.92583330.2980564 Conservatory Theater (Санкт-Петербургская государственная консерватория имени Н. А. Римского-Корсакова), Theater Square 3 (Театральная площадь) (across the street from the Mariinsky Theater, : Sadovaya «Садовая», : Sennaya Ploschad «Сенная площадь» then - 15-20 min walk. direction to channel Griboyedov or : 1, 67, 124; /: Nevsky Prospekt/Gostiny Dvor «Невский Проспект»/«Гостиный Двор», then - : 3, 22, 27; : 180, 169, 306), ☏ +7 921 780-1123 (mobile), fax: +7 812 570-6088. While the hall is not lavish – quite sterile, really – a good option for seeing Russian and repertory operas cheaply, performed by faculty and students of the conservatory where Tchaikovsky (and many other famous figures from the Russian music world) studied. 300-3500 руб. 
• 59.94221630.3162375 Hermitage Theater (Эрмитажный театр), Dvortsovaya embankment (Дворцовая набережная), 32/34 (across the Zimnyaya Kanavka (Зимняя канавка) river from the Hermitage Museum, : Admiralteyskaya «Адмиралтейская», : - 15-20 min walk. direction to channel Hermitage Museum or /: Nevsky Prospekt/Gostiny Dvor «Невский Проспект»/«Гостиный Двор», then - : 3, 22, 27), ☏ +7 812 408 10 84, [email protected]. 18:30-22:30. The Hermitage Theater, built as a private home theater of Russian Emperor, used to be Imperial Theatre during more than a century, nowadays is used for almost daily ballet performances, especially during the high-season. 3,500-8,500 руб. 

• 59.931830.33626 Alexandrinsky Theatre or Russian State Pushkin Academy Drama Theater (Александринский театр, Российский государственный академический театр драмы им. А. С. Пушкина), Ostrovsky Square(площадь Островского), 6 ( and : Gostinyy Dvor (Гостиный двор)), ☏ +7 812 570-7794. 12:00-14:00 & 15:00-19:00. 
• Buff State Musical and Drama Theatre, Zanevsky Prospect, 26, ☏ +7 812 573 95 95. In a modern building. Offers rich program in drama performances, both classical and modern. 
• 59.9260830.358617 Komedianty Theatre (Saint Petersburg State Dramatic Theatre 'The Comedians', Санкт-Петербургский государственный драматический театр «Комедианты»), Ligovsky Prospect (Лиговский проспект), 44 (: Ploshchad Vosstaniya (Площадь Восстания)), ☏ +7 812 572-1004, fax: +7 812 764-7016, [email protected]. Founded in 1989 
• 59.93546230.3344548 Komissarjevsky Theatre (Академический драматический театр имени В. Ф. Комиссаржевской), Italyanskaya Street, 19 ( and : Gostinyy Dvor (Гостиный двор), and : Nevsky Prospekt "Невский проспект"), ☏ +7 812 315 53 55, fax: +7 812 571 08 53, [email protected]. W-M 11:00-15:00 & 16:00-19:00. The drama and comedy company was founded by actress Vera Komissarzhevskaya in 1901. In The Passage (магазин "Пассаж", Passazh), elite department store 
• 59.9300930.348749 Lensoviet Academic Theatre (Санкт-Петербургский академический театр имении Ленсовета), Pr. Vladimirski (Владимирский пр.), 12 ( and : "Владимирская", and : Dostoevskaya "Достоевская", and : Mayakovskaya "Маяковская"), ☏ +7 812 713-2191, [email protected]. 11:00-19:00. In the former Korssakov family mansion. The resident company was founded as the Young Theatre in 1929, then renamed the New Theatre in 1933, and finally the Leningrad Soviet Theatre in 1939. 
• 59.9371430.3476810 Liteiny Theatre (State Dramatic Theatre on Liteinyi Prospect, Государственный драматический Театр на Литейном), Liteinyi Prospect (Литейный проспект), 51 (: Mayakovskaya "Маяковская" 0.8km,