| St. Petersburg is the second biggest city in Russia after Moscow with more than 4 million inhabitants, and Europe's biggest city after Istanbul, London and Moscow. St. Petersburg is a major European cultural centre, and Russia's important port on the Baltic Sea. It warmly welcomes hundreds thousands of visitors every year. The Hermitage - the largest museum in the world - is located in St. Petersburg. Having been Russia's cultural and political centre for two centuries, the city is sometimes referred to in Russia as the Northern Capital. For centuries, it has also been referred to as 'the Venice of the North'. A large number of overseas consulates, international firms, financial institutions and other businesses are situated in St. Petersburg.
Certainly, one of the best ways to enjoy the breathtaking view of the city of canals and rivers is to take a boat ride. Over 70 canals and rivers wind their way through the whole city, with around 400 bridges crossing them. The looming images of the bridges, the magnificence of the rivers and canals, the granite embankments with their slipways and piers, the 18th and 19th century palaces and green parks on the banks of the River Neva and the canals, architectural landmarks in the form of domes and spires of churches and cathedrals, which can be seen from a long way off - all this contributes to the unique appearance of the 'Venice of the North', one of the most beautiful cities.
You can also enjoy the sights the city in an automobile, accompanied by a knowledgeable and experienced travel guide. You will see Saint Petersburg most popular tourist attractions - beginning with the neo-classical grandeur of St. Isaac's Cathedral, geometry of Palace Square, visiting the oldest construction of Saint Petersburg - the Peter and Paul Fortress and the Cathedral - the burial overleap of Romanovs' dynasty.
Every visitor to the city should visit the Hermitage. Today, the Hermitage Museum has about 2.7 million exhibits and displays a full range of world art. It includes masterpieces by famed painters. The collection is huge and worth seeing. It has been estimated that if you spend a minute in front of each exhibit, you will have to stay in the museum for eleven years, but on the tour you have the opportunity to see all the great masterpieces of the world's art in a few hours, being guided by a well-qualified travel guide.
There is a lot more to see in this fantastic city. |
