Are you looking to explore the history of Saint Petersburg through the ages? There are a number of historical destinations in Saint Petersburg including the time-honored buildings, monuments, palaces, and parks where you can learn about the glorious past of Saint Petersburg. The presence of these historical sites and museums will take you on a walk through Saint Petersburg ‘s rich history.
If you are willing to have an in-depth historical information about Saint Petersburg, we recommend that you take a wonderful guided tour to cover the major historical attractions. Also, check the opening and closing time for each so that you can organize your time. Make sure that you go through the complete list of historical places in Saint Petersburg for a great trip!
Top Historical Places in Saint Petersburg
Let's witness the history of Saint Petersburg with these top historical places - monuments and landmarks:
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St. Isaac's Cathedral
(2464 Votes)
St. Isaac's Cathedral or Isaakievskiy Sobor as it is locally called is the largest cathedral for the Russian Orthodox Church in the city of Saint Petersburg. Built as a dedication to Saint Isaac of Dalmatia, this church bears references to quite a few styles of architecture. Most prominent among these styles of architecture are the eminent Late Neoclassical influences which have gone together i...Read more -
Palace Square
(1633 Votes)
The Palace square holds a commanding position in St Petersburg. It is surrounded by great architectural buildings like the baroque Winter Palace on one side and the Imperial Army General Staff building and Hermitage museum on the other, and dates back to the times of Alexander the Great. The Nevsky Prospect lies just a few metres away from the square and it is flanked by the Admiralty gardens, ...Read more -
The Peterhof Palace overlooking the Baltic Sea is located on the royal palace estates and now acts as a museum surrounded by lush green garden and a number of fountains. The landscaped garden and fountains around the palace have earned it the title of the Russian Versailles. It is enlisted as a UNESCO World Heritage site. It contains the Lower Gardens and the majority of fountains of The Peterh...Read more -
Yusupov Palace On Moika
(1408 Votes)
Known as the location of the attempted murder of the notorious mystic Rasputin, Yusupov Palace is one of the many estates that the influential family of Yusupov. Built by French architect Jean Baptiste Vallin de la Mothe, the mansion is built luxuriously and holds about 40,000 works of arts. The favourite residence of Felix Yusupov, the most notable feature of the palace is the palatial theatre...Read more -
Peter And Paul Fortress
(2075 Votes)
One of the most important locations in Saint Petersburg, this fortress was established by Peter the Great. Originally built out of wood in 1703, the fortress was completely rebuilt using stone from 1706 to 1740. Domenico Trezzini was the man behind the marvelous designs of this fortress. Today, the State Museum of Saint Petersburg History is the main tourist attraction in the fortress but by no...Read more -
The Bronze Horseman
(1676 Votes)
The Bronze Horseman statue was commissioned by Catherine the Great. The statue and the pedestal took twelve years to complete between 1770 and 1782. A depiction of Peter the Great riding his horse, the bronze statue is considered to be a piece of art that has intricate beauty. The statue which is over twenty feet tall has a great amount of detailing. The artist wanted to recreate a scene with P...Read more -
Church Of The Savior On Blood
(2326 Votes)
Previously known as Church of the Savior on Spilled Blood, this iconic landmark is one of the most important destinations in Saint Petersburg. Being a major attraction, the church attracts hundreds of thousands of tourists on an annual basis. Established on the site where Tsar Alexander II was assassinated, the church was dedicated to his memory. Alexander III commissioned the construction of t...Read more -
Anichkov Bridge
(1177 Votes)
The Anichkov Bridge is essential viewing for tourists when in St. Petersburg, not just for its excellent vantage point but also for the unique history behind it. The bridge is arched with facades of pink granite and the cast iron railings have fantastical images of mermaids and seahorses. It is the oldest bridge across theriver Fontanka river. Worth noting are the four statues that flank the br...Read more -
The Nevsky Prospekt is perhaps the most famous stretch of road in Saint Petersburg. This historic road was designed and implemented by Peter the Great. Originally, the road served as the starting point for the route to Moscow and Novgorod. In modern times, the Nevsky Prospekt is the main cultural center of the city and also functions as its main access road. This street is home to several night...Read more -
This attention-grabbing, grand Naval Cathedral is a befitting dedication to Russia’s brave navy. It was built in 1913 by Vasily Kosyakovin in Neo-Byzantine design in the city of Kronstadt, just 50 kilometres from St Petersburg. The inside of the cathedral is beautiful and airy with a gorgeous ceiling. The cathedral is the main shrine of the Russian navy and has an intriguing history. It h...Read more -
The Catherine Palace
(1170 Votes)
This palace located in the south eastern part of Saint Petersburg used to serve as the summer home for the Tsars. A flamboyant and elaborate monument to the affluence of the Russian Crown, this palace is a shining example of the Rococo style of architecture. Catherine I of Russia commissioned the building in 1717, after which it has been renovated and remodeled several times. The exterior of th...Read more -
Pavlovsk Palace And Park
(362 Votes)
The stunning Pavlovsk Palace and gardens are one of the most brilliant examples of Russian royal residences, albeit not as extravagant as others. The palace is located amidst a verdant landscape, complete with natural streams, bridges and lush green grass. It is by far one of the largest landscaped gardens in the world. The Park was designed by Charles Cameron and Vincenzo Brenna and they have ...Read more -
State Russian Museum
(1537 Votes)
The State Russian museum holds the largest collection of fine arts in Russia. It was commissioned in 1895 in the impressive neoclassical Mikhailovskiy Palace and traces the complete history of Russian art, from magnificent 11th century icons to contemporary works. The palace itself which is a former imperial residence built for Grand Duke Michael Pavlovich, is a sight to see as many of the hall...Read more -
Memorial Museum Of Leningrad Blockade
(500 Votes)
Built as a commemorative to the victory of the Russians over the Nazi forces, this museum is one of the most important landmarks in the city of Saint Petersburg. Some of the exhibits that are located in the museum can truly bring a tear to the eye. Focusing on the ‘900 days of siege’ in Saint Petersburg, there are numerous war memorabilia that are present in the two storey museum. P...Read more -
Locally known as Lazarevskoe kladbishche, this eighteenth century necropolis is extremely well known for being the cemetery for the rich and famous. Later and more comically, this cemetery became associated as the final resting place for relatives of the influential and the affluent people of Saint Petersburg. Located in close proximity to the Skorbyaschenskoy Saints Church, this cemetery today...Read more