| St Petersburg was founded by Peter the Great | | | | buildings of the Winter Palace and Hermitage |
| in 1703. The designated capital of Imperial | | | | Museum on one side and the Classical yellow |
| Russia from 1712 to 1914 and has remained the | | | | and white former General Staff buildings of |
| countrys cultural capital. It is Russia's | | | | the Russian army on the other. The main point |
| second largest city and the country's | | | | of the square is the Alexander Column, a tall |
| principal seaport. | | | | monolith of red granite topped by a cross and |
| | | | the statue of an angel, dedicated to the |
| It is often referred to as the Venice of the | | | | Russian military victory in the Napoleonic |
| North or the Paris of the East. The city | | | | wars. Palace Square has been the site of |
| centre is set on the south bank of the Neva | | | | numerous political protests, most notably the |
| river. | | | | demonstrations of Bloody Sunday in 1905 that |
| | | | started the first Russian Revolution. Today |
| Modern St Petersburg has no shortage of | | | | the square, with the views of the Admiralty's |
| restaurants, and plenty of variety. Aside | | | | golden spire and the dome of St Isaac's |
| from traditional Russian restaurants, Chinese | | | | Cathedral from across the vast stone paving, |
| and Japanese cuisine is popular, with sushi a | | | | is filled with markets, outdoor cafes and the |
| recent craze. | | | | sound of horse-drawn carriages. |
| | | | |
| St Petersburg has a vibrant, varied nightlife | | | | The Bronze Horseman, on Senatskaia Ploschad |
| ranging from opera and ballet to nightclubs, | | | | Square, facing the Neva River and surrounded |
| rock concerts, jazz clubs, and acid house | | | | by the Admiralty, St Isaac's Cathedral. The |
| raves. How ever, the scene is constantly | | | | monument was built by order of the Empress |
| changing with new venues opening and old ones | | | | Catherine the Great as a tribute to her |
| closing. Most of the decent night life is in | | | | famous predecessor on the Russian throne, |
| the city centre. | | | | Peter the Great. According to a 19th century |
| | | | legend, enemy forces will never take St. |
| The local currency is the ruble. The market | | | | Petersburg while the Bronze Horseman stands |
| near the Spilled Blood Cathedral offers every | | | | in the middle of the city. During the Second |
| thing from matrioshka dolls to hand-painted | | | | World War the statue was not taken down, but |
| lacquer boxes in a wide range of quality and | | | | was protected with sand bags and a wooden |
| prices. | | | | shelter. |
| | | | |
| The main square of St Petersburg is one of | | | | You can book a flight to St Petersburg with |
| the world's most magnificent plazas. Palace | | | | fly.co. |
| Square contains the picturesque Baroque | | | | |