Things to do in Peterhof

No. 20 of Best Things to Do in Saint Petersburg

The Hermitage Theater

The Hermitage Theater is part of the complex of the famous Hermitage Museum. Its façade is located on the palace embankment, connected to the main buildings of the palace by a round arch bridge spanning the winter canal. Because the Hermitage Theater is a palace theater, it was built for the emperor's family and the special noble family. Therefore, the size of the theater and theater hall is not large (250 seats), and the seating arrangement is also unique. The design and furnishings of the hall are elegant, brilliant and gorgeous. The theatre hall has several rows of marble half-columns, classical stone sculptures of Apollo and the nine muses, and half-reliefs of famous poets and musicians. The fancy seats are upholstered in red velvet and the floor is carpeted. Everything that is performed on stage can be seen from any seat in the hall. The hall of the theatre is characterized by its unique shape and natural perfect acoustics.

No. 19 of Best Things to Do in Saint Petersburg

Summer Palace of Peter the Great

Summer Palace of Peter the Great is located in the Summer Garden in the center of Saint Petersburg. It is the summer residence of Peter the Great that has survived to this day and is one of the few buildings preserved from the early development of the city. The palace was built in 1710–1714 by the architect Trezzini and is a typical example of the early Petrine Baroque style: a two-story building with a square layout, a weather vane on the roof, and nearly 30 terracotta reliefs arranged around the exterior walls, with themes mostly taken from scenes of the Great Northern War. Because it was only inhabited during the warm season, the walls were built thin, and the windows used single-pane glass; these details have been preserved to this day. From 1711 onwards, Peter the Great spent almost every summer here. The first floor contained his office and living quarters, while the second floor was reserved for Catherine until his death. Today, it serves as a branch of The State Russian Museum, and the interior largely retains the appearance of the Petrine era: the French-style wood paneling, mirrors, fireplaces, and painted ceilings are all worth a close look. The rooms also display Peter the Great's daily necessities and furniture from that time. The entire building has only a dozen rooms plus two kitchens. It is not large in scale, but almost every room has its own story, making it suitable for a leisurely stroll. The Summer Garden, where it is located, was commissioned by Peter the Great in 1704 and is one of the early royal gardens of Saint Petersburg. The garden is dotted with groups of marble statues, and the cast-iron railing along the Neva River is a backdrop that many people come specifically to photograph. The Summer Garden area is entirely within walking distance of the old city. Nevsky Prospect, the Field of Mars, and the Church of the Savior on Spilled Blood are all nearby, making it easy to string them together into a walking route.

Selected for Best Things to Do in Saint Petersburg

Admiralty

The Naval Headquarters Building is a magnificent building designed by the Russian architect Zakharov. It attracts tourists from all over the world with its unique charm and has become one of the symbolic buildings in St. Petersburg. The building's foundation was laid in 1704, and it stands out for a long, gleaming gilded needle that reaches a height of 72 meters. It is placed on the roof of the central stepped tower of the building, with long needles piercing the blue sky, and can be seen from anywhere in St. Petersburg. The base part of the tower is designed to resemble the arched six doors of the Arc de Triomphe. The doors are decorated with various statues and half-reliefs on the theme of the sea and the Russian Navy. On both sides of the main entrance, there are two groups of huge statues named Poseidon, which were sculpted according to the scheme designed by architects Cherepinev and Shedrin. The whole building, with its rigorous and concise design style and a group of statues with a clear theme, symbolizes the heroic spirit of Russian sailors. The entire building combines the characteristics of classical architecture and Russian architecture. 56 large statues, 11 giant reliefs and 350 murals decorate the entire building.

Kronstadt

Kronstadt is a port island in the Baltic Sea off the coast of Saint Petersburg, once the base of the Baltic Fleet. Peter the Great captured Kotlin Island from Sweden in 1703 and established Kronstadt. A fortress was commissioned on May 18, 1704, and is considered one of the best and strongest maritime fortresses in the world. You can now visit the fortress and theNaval Cathedralon the island.

Fontan

Konstantinovskiy Park

No. 15 of Best Things to Do in Saint Petersburg

Bronze Horseman

The Bronze Horseman is located in Senate Square in Saint Petersburg. Originally named the Monument to Peter the Great, it was created by the renowned sculptor Falconet and is an iconic sculpture of Saint Petersburg. The equestrian statue is set upon a massive boulder, with the horse's front legs raised, vividly capturing a heroic pose. You can feel its artistic charm strongly from any angle. The Bronze Horseman was highly praised by the great poet Pushkin, who wrote his famous narrative poem, "The Bronze Horseman," about it.

No. 1 of Family-friendly Attractions in Russia

Summer Garden

Summer Garden is situated on a small island in the center of Saint Petersburg, surrounded by the Neva, Moika, and Fontanka rivers and the Swan Canal. In 1704, Peter the Great ordered the creation of an imperial garden here. The garden is almost as old as the city itself and was initially the Tsar's summer residence. The layout of the French-style formal garden remains to this day: straight avenues intersect, flower beds and hedges are neatly trimmed, and rows of marble statues carved by Venetian sculptors stand along the paths, mostly depicting figures from classical mythology and fables. To protect the weathered originals from erosion, most of the statues displayed in the garden today are replicas, while the originals have been moved to museums for safekeeping. A landmark feature of the garden is the cast-iron fence stretching along the Neva River, with its continuous golden spires and intricate floral decorations, which is considered one of the symbols of Saint Petersburg. A bronze seated statue of the fable writer Krylov stands by the path, surrounded by figures of animals from his fables around the base, which are full of interesting details upon close inspection; the garden also houses Peter the Great's two-story stone Summer Palace, which is now a museum where you can get a glimpse of the living quarters and furnishings from the Tsarist era. Pushkin had his protagonist walk here as a child in "Eugene Onegin," adding a touch of literary atmosphere to this green space. Separated from the Summer Garden by a body of water is the Field of Mars. Mikhailovsky Castle and The State Russian Museum, Mikhailovsky Palace are also within walking distance, making it very convenient to visit them along with surrounding attractions. In spring and summer, the garden is shaded by lush greenery and flower beds are in bloom. The fountains are turned on during the warm season, making it a perfect place for a walk or taking photos; if you are just looking for a quiet corner in the bustling city to sit for a while, this old garden can also offer you a moment of tranquility.

Yuzhno-Primorskiy Park

No. 12 of Ski Resorts in Russia

Tuutari park

Tuutari park is a popular recreational resort in the Lomonosovsky District of Russia. This modern mountain resort covering an area of ​​50 hectares offers a wide range of outdoor activities suitable for visitors of all ages. There are several illuminated ski slopes with a height difference of between 60 and 80 meters, which provide excellent conditions for skiing enthusiasts. In addition to skiing, the park also has a sled run, an ice skating rink and cross-country skiing trails, allowing visitors to enjoy a variety of activities in winter. In addition, the resort also offers horse riding, a shooting club and hiking, which provides tourists with a wide range of options. For those tourists looking for accommodation, there are cabins for rent, which are suitable for family and group vacations. Whether in winter or in other seasons, this is an ideal place for recreation, where visitors can enjoy beautiful natural scenery and various outdoor activities.