The Peter and Paul Fortress have been based by Peter the Great on the Harel island on May, 16th, 1703. In 1712 in its territory the construction of the Peter and Paul cathedral - tombs of the Russian emperors has begun. During two centuries the fortress served as political prison. Now in territory of a fortress there are expositions on history of Petersburg - Petrograd . In a basis of a museum collections of the Museum of Old Petersburg created in 1907 by the union of architects-artists have lain down. Today in a museum constant expositions, among them are developed some: "History of Petersburg-Petrograd 1703-1917" in the Commandant's house, "History of prison Trubetskogo of a bastion» - political prison of imperial Russia , Gas-dynamic laboratory, a workshop of ancient kinds schedules.

WINTER PALACE

The Winter Palace (constructed in 1753 - 1762) - a residence of Russian tsars, has been constructed in commemoration of 50-years anniversary of the basis of St.-Petersburg under the order of Empress Elizabeth, daughter Peter I. Architectural style of a masterpiece of F.Rastrelli - a baroque - corresponded to the basic trends of XVIII century - magnificent furnish of a facade and the richest internal furniture and do not cease to surprise till now. Now the Winter Palace is a part of the State Hermitage.

STATE RUSSIAN MUSEUM

The museum based in 1898 in Mikhailovsky Palace, after 1917 began to refer to as the State Russian museum. Huge value icons of work of Andrey Rublyov, Dionisiy represent, Simon Ushakov and other masters. The collection of art XVIII - first half XIX centuries, including works of V.L.Borovikovsky, O.A.Kiprensky, A.G.Venetsianov, K.P.Brjullov, I.K.Ajvazovsky is especially rich. Creativity of masters of second half XIX century is presented by works of I.I.Shishkin, A.K.Savrasov, I.E.Repin, M.V.Nesterov, I.I.Levitan, K.A.Korovin, A.I.Kuindzhi, M.A.Vrubel, Н.К Roerich, B.M.Kustodiev. The section of the museum, devoted to creativity of artists of the middle of XX century is rich.

PETER & PAUL FORTRESS

The Peter and Paul Fortress have been based by Peter the Great on the Harel island on May, 16th, 1703. In 1712 in its territory the construction of the Peter and Paul cathedral - tombs of the Russian emperors has begun. During two centuries the fortress served as political prison. Now in territory of a fortress there are expositions on history of Petersburg - Petrograd. In a basis of a museum collections of the Museum of Old Petersburg created in 1907 by the union of architects-artists have lain down. Today in a museum constant expositions, among them are developed some: "History of Petersburg-Petrograd 1703-1917" in the Commandant's house, "History of prison Trubetskogo of a bastion» - political prison of imperial Russia, Gas-dynamic laboratory, a workshop of ancient kinds schedules.

MUSEUM OF ANTHROPOLOGY AND ETHNOGRAPHY OF NAME PETER THE GREAT (KUNST CAMERA)

In 1714 under Peter's I order on the basis of Kunst Camera, the state natural-science Russia state natural-science and historical museum, 8 academic museums and among them - the Museum of anthropology and ethnography have been created. Many ethnographic collections are brought by known Russian scientists and travelers of the beginning of IXX century: I.G.Voznesenski, J.F.Lisjanski, I.F.Kruzenshtern, M.P.Lazarev, N.Mikluho-Maklay. In funds of a museum more than 1 million subjects.

MUSEUM OF ZOOLOGY

The museum began with zoological collections of Kunst Camera which then constantly replenished with the materials collected by scientists-travelers. The assembly of a museum totals about 15 million exhibits among which it is a lot of the rare: a scarecrow and a skeleton of the mammoth, skeletons of a whale and the died out southern elephant, a scarecrow of a wild camel, a snow leopard, a huge monitor lizard from island Komodo.

RUSSIAN ETNOGRAPHY MUSEUM

The Russian ethnographic museum - one of the largest ethnographic museums of the Europe. In its storehouses monuments of culture of 157 people of Eurasia (territory of former Russian empire) are concentrated. The basic part of exhibits is dated IXX - the beginning of XX century. In a museum the expositions telling about traditional culture of people of Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, Georgia, Armenia, Azerbaijan, and also an exposition "Slavs of the East Europe”, “The person in ethno cultural space" are opened. The exhibition of products from precious metals - "Special pantry” uses the huge popularity.

CENTRAL NAVAL MUSEUM

The naval museum is based by Peter I in 1709 It is one of the first museums of Russia and one of the largest sea museums of the world. Here it is collected about two thousand unique models of the ships. Many of them - masterpieces of arts and crafts. The large assembly of products of the fine arts of work of Russian and foreign masters is stored in a museum. The collection of samples of the weapon, sea techniques, flags and banners contains unique copies, the majority from which have no analogues.

MILITARY-HISTORICAL MUSEUM OF ARTILLERY, ENGINEERING ARMIES AND ARMIES OF COMMUNICATION.

The museum based in 1756, is located in building of Kronverk an arsenal and created from three largest military-historical museums on the basis of the Artillery museum. The collection of a museum consists from more, than 500 thousand exhibits: samples of the weapon (from old Slavic swords and arquebuses), military techniques and the military form, military banners, awards, fighting relics of the Russian army.

The MUSEUM on the CRUISER "AURORA"

Cruiser the "Aurora" constructed in 1903, has seen many events of inconsistent history XX of a century on the century. On May, 14th, 1905 in passage Tsusim "Aurora" participated in fight against the Japanese fleet. With 1914 for 1916 the cruiser was on the advanced positions in Baltic sea. On October, 25th, 1917 at 21 o'clock 45 minutes from a cruiser stood at the Nikolaev bridge (the bridge of Lieutenant Schmidt), the shot - a signal to the beginning of storm of the Winter Palace was distributed. On November, 17th, 1989 "Aurora" is forever established on Big Nevka opposite to building of Navy school. In halls of a cruiser-museum interesting exhibits from history of the ship, and in office accommodations - mechanisms and technical devices of the end XIX - the beginnings of XX centuries are shown.

THE STATE MUSEUM OF POLITICAL HISTORY OF RUSSIA

The museum is located in private residences of outstanding Russian ballerina M.F.Kshesinskaya and millionaire V.Brandt. The collection of a museum totals 500 thousand exhibits (documents, personal things of a dynasty of Romanov's, collections of banners, photos, negatives, posters, etc.). Unique documents of times of three Russian revolutions and civil war, and also an exhibition of wax figures are presented To expositions political and public figures. In M.F.Kshesinskaya personal rooms the separate memorial exposition about ballerina's life is placed.

STATE MEMORIAL MUSEUM OF GENERALLISSIMUS SUVOROV

The memorial museum first in Russia has been opened in 1904 under Nikolay's order II on the money collected by the public. For a museum the building which has absorbed elements of fortresses which "storm were taken" by the great commander has specially been constructed. In assembly it is presented more than 100 thousand exhibits: the weapon and awards of the commander, its personal things, fighting banners, a rare collection of portraits of Russian military figures and the soldier, and also the things belonged Paul I and empress Maria FedorovnA, Nikolay's gifts. The museum possesses the greatest in the world a collection of tin tell-tales - more than 60 000 copies.

FIRST WOOD-HOUSE OF PETER THE GREAT

Monument of wooden architecture of the beginning of 18 centuries - the unique wooden structure which has kept since time of the basis of St.-Petersburg - has been constructed in May, 1703 for Peter I. House hold memorial subjects of the beginning of XVIII century. The list of plat bands of windows opened during restoration works and also a list of the Small house under a brick are unique. Constantly operating exposition is devoted to victories of Russian army over Northern war 1700 - 1721.

SUMMER PALACE OF PETER THE GREAT

One of the first stone palaces of St.-Petersburg has been constructed by architect D.Trezini in territory of the Summer garden under the order of Emperor Peter I in 1703. The internal furniture of a palace executed in the best art traditions of the beginning of XVIII century, combines traditions of Russian and West-European styles. Now the Summer Palace is a museum which part of exhibits belonged to the emperor and its family.

MIKHAILOVSKY CASTLE

One of the most mysterious and romantic palaces of St.-Petersburg – Mikhailovsky Castle - has been constructed in 1797 - 1800 г. upon project of architects V.Brenna and V.Bazhenov under the order of Emperor Paul I and consecrated in the name of Archangel Michael, for as has received the name. Emperor Paul I concerned by own safety, has designed a palace reminding a medieval fortress. Chanels, filled by water, leaf bridges, the artillery pieces established on perimeter of a palace, emphasized similarity to a unapproachable citadel. Mysterious murder of emperor Paul I till now is a basis of the legends surrounding Mikhailovsky Castle. Now - branch of Russian Museum.

MENSHIKOV PALACE

The palace belonging first general-governor of the Petersburg to the president of military board to prince A.D.Menshikov, was famous for the assemblies and celebrations in honors of victories over Northern war. The architecture of a palace corresponds to style of a Peter baroque. Its founders were known architects of Petersburg - D.M.Fontana, I.G.Shedel, D.Trezini and B.K.Rastrelli. For furnish of premises decorative materials have been used rich and fashionable then not only in Russia, but also in the Western Europe: a type-setting and carved tree, a painted Dutch tile and tiles, a leather of a fabric in a combination to monumental and decoration painting, a sculpture and a molding. In 1967 the building has been transferred to the State Hermitage.

MARIINSKY PALACE

The Mariinsky Palace has been constructed in 1838 - 1845 under the project of architect A.Shtakenshnejder at emperor Nikolay I for its daughter of Great princess Maria Nikolaevna, in honor of it and has been named. The Mariinsky palace is constructed in style the "empire style", reminding architecture of the Italian Revival. Some interiors of a palace (the Rotunda, the Square Hall, the Boudoir) were unique masterpieces of world architecture. Up to us, unfortunately, they send in addition in strongly changed kind. Now the Mariinsky Palace- Place of sessions of Legislative Assembly of St.-Petersburg.

TAURIAN PALACE

The monument of architecture of XVIII century, executed in style of early classicism, the Taurian Palace has been constructed in 1783 - 1789 under the project of architect I.Starov under the order of Empress Ekaterina II and presented to its favorite prince Potyomkin Tavrichesky for its merits in Russian - Turkish war. The palace is named in honor of Taurida (modern Crimea ) for which successful capture prince Potyomkin and has received a title Taurian. Surprising symmetry of a sun-yellow facade, stately harmony of white columns, magnificence of greater "Italian" windows, marble furnish and bronze fixtures give to an interior of a palace imperial refinement.

USUPOV PALACE

Usupov Palace constructed in 1830 - 1837 under the project of architect A.Mihajlov, one of the most known private residences of St.-Petersburg, belonged to a sort of princes Usupov's, was elite of aristocracy of Russia during five centuries. The surprising combination of luxury, elegance and the highest art taste by the right have predetermined a place of a private residence in a pearl collection of masterpieces of world architecture.Special mystical glory Palace has got after murder in it legendary Grigory Rasputin, a favorite of Emperor Nikolay II in 1916.

MARBLE PALACE

The Marble Palace, one of the best products of architecture of early classicism, will erect per 1768 under A.Rinaldi's project. In its furnish it is used more than 30 grades of a marble. The composition of facades as though echoes the Winter palace: above suckle reverted by granite, two floors are incorporated by pilasters from light pink marble. A front entrance it is decorated by F.I.Shubin's sculptures. The smart court yard from the south and from the river is limited by a lattice on granite columns with marble vases. The fencing connects a palace to the service wing closing a court yard from the east. Now - branch of Russian Museum.

BASIC CATHEDRALS in SAINT PETERSBURG

St. Isaak Cathedral

On June, 12th (on May, 30th on old style) the Church celebrates memory sacred Isaak Dalmat. This day in 1858 in St.-Petersburg solemn opening and consecration of a cathedral in the name of Saint Isaak took place. A cathedral which is under construction at three emperors: Alexander I, Nikolay I and Alexander II, has not been casually devoted Sacred Isaak - in day of celebrating of memory sacred, on May, 30th, 1672, the founder of St.-Petersburg Peter the Great was born. The cathedral was under construction forty years.

The Peter and Paul Cathedral

On July, 12th (on June, 29th on old style) - day of sacred apostles Peter and Paul. The first temple of St.-Petersburg - the Peter and Paul Cathedral has been devoted to these apostles. On June, 29th, 1733 solemn consecration of a cathedral has been accomplished. The cathedral has been constructed under the project of architect D.Trezini. Turning up the golden spike of a cathedral symbolizes a birth of city on Neva, an output of Russia to open spaces of Baltic. The Peter and Paul cathedral always was a place of pilgrimage is a tomb of Russian.

Church of Savoir on Blood

The temple of Christ Revival called in people "Church of Savoir on Blood", was will erect on Cathrine channel in that place where I March, 1881 explosion of a bomb had been fatally wounded Emperor Alexander II. The temple "in truly Russian taste" as that was wished by Emperor Alexander III, the son of mudded Emperor was under construction. The temple was under construction 24 years, with 1883 for 1907, has been consecrated on August, 19th, 1907. Temple - the present monument of mosaic art of Russia. Inside of a wall and the arches of a temple are entirely covered by a mosaic, outside mosaic icons are placed in kokoshniks of the big and small eaves, small heads and entrance towers, in deepening's of all facades of a temple.

Smolny Cathedral

In 1745 the daughter Empress Elizabeth has decided to abdicate and construct a monastery on Smolny court yard. The project has been charged to architect K.Rastrelli. But the cathedral incorporated in 1748, has been finally completed by the architect Stasov only in 1835. Completely project Smolny cathedral and has not been realized. But even in not completed kind the ensemble made indelible impression upon contemporaries. The cathedral causes admiration already at the approach to it from apart. Possessing strange mystical property as though "to leave" in the ground at approach it, it, nevertheless, does not lose the grandeur and grandness.

Kazan Cathedral

The Kazan cathedral have started to build in 1801 under A.Voronihin's project. Domestic war of 1812 has changed destiny of the Kazan cathedral. Constructed originally for a wonder-working icon, it has turned to storehouse of sacred relics of victorious war. Here have taken military trophies, including army banners and banners of Napoleon armies, keys from the won cities, marshal's buttons. Until recently in the Cathedral the Museum of religion and atheism, But after reconstruction and consecration in 1998 the Kazan Cathedral is operating church.

St. Trinity Cathedral

St. Trinity Cathedral is erected in territory of the Laurels, based under Peter I order in 1710 in the name of St. Trinities and sacred Alexander Nevsky under the project of architect I.E.Starov. The cathedral has been consecrated in 1790. Silver a cancer with bones of Alexander Nevsky long time was stored here. The external shape of a cathedral is strict and stately.