Museums

St.Petersburg has over 100 working museums, the majority of which levies an entry charge. As a rule, foreign tourists are charged more than the Russian.

Arts

The State Hermitage Museum
The State Hermitage is one of greatest museums in the world. Five historical buildings, including Winter Palace - the residence of Russian tsars, make the basis of the museum complex. The Hermitage keeps about 3 million monuments of culture and art of the European and Oriental peoples, from high antiquity till nowadays: pictures, graphic sheets, sculptures, a richest collections of applied art items, over a million coins and medals, archaeologic materials. Among the Hermitage's treasures, there are artworks by Leonardo da Vinci, Raphael, Titian, fine things by Rembrandt and Rubens, famous collection of impressionists and post-impressionists, Matisse and Picasso. World-renowned are the collections of Scythian gold and the antiquities from Black Sea North Littoral.
Open: 10.30 - 17.00, SUN till 16.00. Closed on MON.
34 Dvortsovaya nab., tel. 110-9625.
Nevskiy Prospekt

The Menshikov's Palace
Occupies the first stone building erected in St.Petersburg (architects G.Fontana and J.Schedel) - the palace of the first city's general governor A.D.Menshikov. In the building, original fragments of the interiors of the XVIII century have been preserved, among them the famous Dutch tiles. Exhibition of The State Hermitage Museum, dedicated to Russian culture of Peter I's age, is open to the public.
Open: 10.30 - 16.30. Closed on MON.
15 Universitetskaya nab., tel. 323-1112.
Vasileostrovskaya

The State Russian Museum
Opened in 1898 in the Mikhaylovsky Palace (architect C.Rossi). The museum numbers nearly 400,000 exhibits. It is the largest in the country collection of Russian art, from ancient icons to the Avant-garde painting of the XX century. Refreshed exposition "The Art of the XX Century" displays works by M.Vrubel, V.Serov, K.Petrov-Vodkin, M.Chagall, K.Malevich, P.Filonov, and less known painters, representing the largest artistic unions of the century gone.
Open: 10.00 - 17.00, MON till 16.00. Closed on TUE.
2 Inzhenernaya ul., tel. 595-4248.
Gostinyy Dvor, Nevskiy Prospekt

The Marble Palace
An architectural monument of the middle of the XVIII century (architect A.Rinaldi). Over 30 tints of marble were used for the decoration of the palace, hence the name Marble Palace, which was bestowed by delighted contemporaries. Main exhibitions: "Peter Ludvig Museum in the Russian Museum", "Konstantin Romanov - a Poet of the Silver Age", "The Collection of Brothers Rzhevskiy".
Open: 10.00 - 17.00, MON till 16.00. Closed on TUE.
5/11 Millionnaya ul., tel. 312-9196.
Gostinyy Dvor, Nevskiy Prospekt

Mikhaylovsky (Inzhenerny) Castle
The castle was constructed to protect the Russian emperor, Paul I. Ironically, it was here where he was assassinated the night of March 12, 1801. Since 1817, the castle housed an Engineering School, which was attended by many great Russian figures of the past, including the writer F.M.Dostoyevsky. Permanent exhibitions: "Antique Stories in Russian Art", "The Renaissance and the Creative Activity of Russian Artists", and "The Story of the Castle and Its Inhabitants".
Open: 10.00 - 17.00, MON till 16.00. Closed on TUE.
2 Sadovaya ul., tel. 313-4173.
Gostinyy Dvor, Nevskiy Prospekt

Stroganoff Palace
The eldest of palaces under the Russian Museum supervision. During almost 2 centuries, it was the property of Barons and Counts Stroganoff. Its building was launched in 1738 and headed by M.Zemtsov. However, F.Rastrelli is considered as its genuine author who completed the outward appearance of the palace. The interiors were worked out by the remarkable Russian architects F.Demertsov, A.Voronikhin, G.Bosse etc. A permanent exposition "The Gallery of Russian Porcelain" is opened in the restored enfilades of the first floor.
Open: 10.00 - 17.00, MON till 16.00. Closed on TUE.
17 Nevskiy pr., tel. 117-2360.
Gostinyy Dvor

The Russian Ethnographic Museum
The exhibitions of the Museum illustrate the everyday life and culture of the peoples of Russia in the XIX-XX centuries. The collections of the museum number over half a million exhibits. In the Golden Room, visitors will see decorations, armaments, and cult objects, made of precious stones. A new permanent exposition "Peoples of Russian North-West and Baltic Countries" is open.
Open: 10.00 - 17.00. Closed on MON and on the last FRI of every month.
4/1 Inzhenernaya ul., tel. 313-4320.
Gostinyy Dvor, Nevskiy Prospekt

St.Isaac's Cathedral, Museum-Monument
One of the finest architectural monuments of the XIX century (architect A.Montferrand), the former principal cathedral of the Russian capital, the largest cathedral in town able to accommodate about 10,000 audience. The cathedral is graced with 112 solid granite columns weighing up to 114 tons each, and about 400 relieves and bronze sculptures. The observation platform on the colonnade provides a magnificent view of the city.
Open: 11.00 - 18.00. Closed on WED.
Isaakievskaya pl., tel. 315-9732.
Gostinyy Dvor, Nevskiy Prospekt

Museum-Monument

"Our savior on the blood"
Built in 1907 as memorial church to honour Russian emperor Alexan-der II, just on the spot of crucial terroristic attempt upon him. A sample of "Russian style" architecture and decorative art at the edge of the XIX-XX centuries. Mosaic attire of the church (over 7,000 sq.m) was created to the design of 30 artists, among them V.Vasnetsov, M.Nesterov, A.Ryabushkin, V.Belyaev, N.Kharlamov.
Open: 11.00 - 18.00. Closed on WED.
2a Griboedova Kanala nab., tel. 315-1636.
Nevskiy Prospekt, Gostinyy Dvor

Museum Of Music In Sheremetev Palace (Fontanny Dom)
Architectutal momument of the XVIII century (architect S.Chevakinskiy) - the core of town property belonged to Count Sheremetevs. In the gala halls, now open after the long restoration, things from the Sheremetevs' collections (decorative and applied art of the XVII-XX centuries) are placed, and also private collections bestowed on the museum in 1990s. Sheremetev Palace harbours Petersburg Collection of musical instruments (3,000 items), among these ones made by famous craftsmen and played by famous musicians, and historical rarities. In the White Hall, symphonical, choral, and chamber music concerts are held.
Open: 12.00 - 18.00.
Closed on MON, TUE, and on the last WED of every month.
34 Fontanki Reki nab., tel. 272-4441.
Mayakovskaya, Gostinyy Dvor

The Museum Of The Russian Academy Of Fine Arts
The museum is located in the historical building of the Academy of Fine Arts. One of the oldest buildings in St.Petersburg, it has been in operation since 1757, displaying art of the Russian academic and the Soviet schools of painting. In the museum, temporary exhibitions of students' final examination works are regularly held.
Open: 11.00 - 18.00. Closed on MON, TUE.
17 Universitetskaya nab., tel. 323-6496.
Vasileostrovskaya

Applied Art Museum At St.Petersburg

Artistic-Industrial Academy
Established in 1878. The museum's building is an original sample of architectural style "historicism" (architect M.Messmacher). Its inner decoration reflects almost all historical epochs and art styles. The collection numbers ca. 30,000 items of applied art dated from Antiquity till nowadays.
Open: 11.00 - 17.00.
13-15 Solyanoy per., tal. 273-3258.
Chernyshevskaya

History

The Peter And Paul Fortress
The Museum of St.Petersburg History
Peter and Paul Fortress was founded by Peter I in 1703. Besides the ancient fortifications, on the grounds of the fortress one can visit the Sts Peter and Paul Cathedral of the early XVIII century (architect D.Trezzini) with the burial vault of Peter the Great and other Russian tsars, the museum in Trubetskoy Bastion prison, expositions: "The History of St.Petersburg", "The History of the Imperial Mint", "Pechatnya (Printing Workshop)", museum on space exploration and missilery; excursion route "Panorama of the Neva" - over the roofs of the fortress' bastions and curtains. By booking beforehand, the collection of open furniture storage is available.
Open: 11.00 - 17.00, TUE till 16.00.
Closed on WED and on the last TUE of every month.
3 Petropavlovskaya Krepost, tel. 238-0505.
Gorkovskaya

The Cabin Of Peter The Great
Constructed for Peter the Great in May 1703; the first building in St.Petersburg. The exhibition of the museum contains home utensils of the beginning of the XVIII century including personal belongings of Peter the Great, and describes Russian victories in the Northern War of 1700-1721.
Open: 10.00 - 17.30. Closed on TUE and on the last MON of every month.
6 Petrovskaya nab., tel. 232-4576.
Gorkovskaya

The Central Naval Museum
Located in the historical building of the Stock Exchange, designed by the architect T. de Thomon, constructed in the beginning of the XIX century. The world's largest naval museum, the oldest Russian museum, founded in 1709. The museum numbers over 800,000 items, including "the Grandfather of the Russian Navy" - the old boat of Peter the Great, models of vessels, examples of armaments and military machinery, marine paintings.
Open: 10.30 - 16.45.
Closed on MON, TUE, and on the last THU of every month.
4 Birzhevaya pl., tel. 328-2501.
Vasileostrovskaya

Military-Historical Museum Of Artillery, Engineers And Signal Corps
The world's largest martial museum, founded in 1703. Located in the building of the old Arsenal. The collection of the museum numbers 750,000 items: examples of armaments, military uniforms, banners, orders, battle relics of the Russian Army. An open air exposition of war machinery and weaponry.
Open: 11.00 - 17.00.
Closed on MON, TUE, and on the last THU of every month.
7 Alexandrovskiy park, tel. 232-0296.
Gorkovskaya

Museum On Board The Cruiser Aurora
A battleship of the Russian Navy put on eternal mooring. The museum exhibition illustrates the Aurora's participation in the Tsushima battle of the Russo-Japanese War of 1904-1905, as well as its revolutionary activities in the beginning of the XX century and its participation in the World War II, 1941-45. Open: 10.30 - 16.00. Closed on MON, FRI.
Petrogradskaya nab., tel. 230-8440.
Gorkovskaya

Museum On Board The Ice-Breaker Krasin
An ice-breaker built in England by the order of Russia in 1916 (to the design of Admiral S.O.Makarov) and baptized as "Svyatogor". Later, its name was changed for "Krasin" to memorize L.B.Krasin who was a trade representative of Russia while building and did much to help payment for the ship. "Krasin" is a living legend of Russian ice-breaking fleet. Museum exposition is dedicated to rescueing Umberto Nobile expedition, escorting Arctic Convoys during the World War II, and research activity of the ice-breaker. Open: 10.00 - 17.00. Closed on MON.
22 Leytenanta Shmidta nab., tel. 324-9448.
Vasileostrovskaya

The State Museum In Memory Of A.V.Suvorov
The first memorial museum in Russia. Opened in 1904 at the house purposedly built (architect A.Gogen) on private donations. At present, after 10-year works, interiors of all the halls are restored. On display: personal belongings of the great warrior, paintings, graphics, numismatics, armaments, rare books, costumes, utensils. Totally, more than 100,000 items.
Open: 10.00 - 17.15, SAT, SUN 10.00 - 18.15, MON 10.00 - 16.15. Closed on THU, WED, and on the last MON of every month.
43 Kirochnaya ul., tel. 279-3914.
Chernyshevskaya

The Museum of the History of Religion
The collection of this museum, unique as of its profile, the only one of the kind in Russia, numbers ca. 400,000 items representing various religions of the world, from high antiquity till nowadays. Open: 11.00 - 17.00. Closed on WED.
14/5 Pochtamtskaya ul., tel. 117-04-95.
Sadovaya, Sennaya Ploshad

The Historical Memorial Museum Smolny
The building was constructed in the early XIX century (architect G.Guarenghi). It is connected with many turning points in the history of the country and the city. The complex of the museum includes the historical hall which has seen many prominent figures of Russian culture and education and where, in 1917, the victory of the October revolution was proclaimed, the memorial study and apartment where V.I.Lenin lived in 1917-1918, and exhibitions "Smolny Institute for Gentle Families' Girls", and "Smolny. The Days of the Siege". Open: 11.00 - 16.00. Tours only. Closed on SAT, SUN.
Room 137, 3 Proletarskoy Diktatury pl., tel. 276-1321.
Chernyshevskaya

The Museum Of The Political History Of Russia
(former Museum of the October Revolution)
On display: original objects, documents, photographs dedicated to the Russian history of the XIX-XX centuries, thematic exhibition on the life story of an outstanding Russian ballerina M.Kshessinskaya, the former owner of the mansion. The exposition "Deeming on the State Duma" elucidates the history of Russian parliamentarism in the XX century.
Open: 10.00 - 17.00. Closed on THU.
2/4 Kuybysheva ul., tel. 233-7052.
Gorkovskaya

Rumyantsev Mansion
A branch of the Museum of St.Petersburg History
The mansion bears the name of one of its owners - Count N.P.Rumyantsev, the founder of the famous Rumyantsevsky Museum which was located in the mansion's premises in the first half of the XIX century. Nowadays, the exhibition "Leningrad in the Second World War" is held in the building, displaying over 2,000 relics of war times: unique documents and photographs, examples of arms and ammunition, personal possessions of Leningraders and the defenders of the city during the 900-days siege.
Open: 11.00 - 17.00, TUE till 16.00.
Closed on WED and on the last TUE of every month.
44 Angliyskaya nab., tel. 117-7544.
Nevskiy Prospekt

Monument To The Heroic Defenders Of Leningrad
This memorial is dedicated to the 900-days unprecedented heroic defence of the city in the World War II, 1941-1945. Consists of an obelisk, sculptural composition, and an underground Memorial Hall, where original documents and items of that time are displayed.
Open: 10.00 - 18.00, TUE, FRI till 17.00.
Closed on WED and on the last TUE of every month.
Pobedy pl., tel. 373-6563.
Moskovskaya

The Museum Of St.Petersburg Press History
The museum's exhibition illustrates the history of the St.Petersburg press, from the middle of the XIX till the early XX centuries.
Open: 11.00 - 18.00, TUE till 16.00, FRI till 17.00.
Closed on WED and on the last TUE of every month.
32 Moyki Reki nab., tel. 312-0977.
Gostinyy Dvor, Nevskiy Prospekt

The memorial museum
Of Leningrad defence and the siege
The collection of the museum contains original documents, and possessions of townspeople and soldiers which were preserved and later presented to the museum by Leningraders.
Open: 10.00 - 17.00.
Closed on WED and on the last THU of every month.
9 Solyanoy per., tel. 275-7208.
Chernyshevskaya

The Museum Of Urban Sculpture
The museum is located on the grounds of the Alexander Nevsky Lavra, and displays monumental sculpture and tombstones. Many eminent figures of Russian science and culture (Lomonosov, Dostoyevsky, Tchaikovsky, Glazunov, Rimsky-Korsakov) and representatives of the Russian aristocracy were buried in the Lavra's Necropolis of the XVIII-XX centuries.
Open: 10.00 - 19.00. Closed on THU.
179/2 Nevskiy pr., tel. 274-2635.
Ploshad Aleksandra Nevskogo-I and -II

Elaginoostrovsky Palace-Museum
The Elaginoostrovsky Palace occupies the central place in the magnificent palace-and-park ensemble, created in the early XIX century by the architect C.Rossi. The palace houses an exhibition of former imperial residence gala halls.
Open: 10.00 - 17.00. Closed on MON, THU.
1 Elagin Ostrov, tel. 430-1131.
Staraya Derevnya

Natural Sciences

The Museum Of Anthropology And Ethnography
Named After Peter The Great - Kunstkamera
(The Chamber of Curiosities)
The collection stems from the exhibits of the first Russian museum - Kunstkamera, founded by Peter I. Over 1 million parts telling about lifestyle of different peoples of the world. Many of them are unique.
Open: 11.00 - 16.30. Closed on MON and the last THU of every month.
3 Universitetskaya nab., tel. 328-1412.
Vasileostrovskaya

The Museum Of The Arctic And Antarctic
The only museum in the world dedicated to the nature of the Arctic and Antarctic, the history of expeditions to the North and South Poles.
Open: 10.00 - 16.15. Closed on MON, TUE.
24a Marata ul., tel. 117-2549.
Mayakovskaya, Vladimirskaya, Dostoevskaya

Botanical garden & museum

Of V.L.Komarov botanical institute Of the Russian academy of sciences Botanical Garden
One of the oldest Russian botanical gardens, founded by the order of Peter the Great in 1713. Its territory covers 23 ha with 10 ha of conser-vatories. The collection numbers over 12,000 species of plants, among them tropical and subtropical plants collection is one of the largest in the world. Conservatories are open: 11.00 - 16.00. Closed on FRI.
2 Professora Popova ul., tel. 234-1764.
Petrogradskaya

Botanical Museum
The oldest scientific department of the Botanical Institute, founded in 1823. Unique collection contains over 120,000 specimens of wood, fruit, seeds, and various goods and products made from plants. Open: 11.00 - 17.00 on WED, SAT, SUN.
2 Professora Popova ul., tel. 234-8470.
Petrogradskaya

The Museum Of Railway Transport
One of the oldest technical museums in the country. On display: unique exhibits, illustrating the history of railway transport in Russia from the very beginning; some mechanisms and machines are still in working order. Collection of models of bridges, including the bridges of St.Petersburg.
Open: 11.00 - 17.30. Closed on FRI, SAT, and on the last THU of every month.
50 Sadovaya ul., tel. 315-1476.
Sadovaya, Sennaya Ploshad

The Zoological Museum
One of the largest in the world. The scientific collection of the museum numbers 17 million species, 500,000 of which are on display.
Open: 11.00 - 17.00. Closed on FRI.
1 Universitetskaya nab., tel. 328-0112.
Vasileostrovskaya

Literature

The Institute Of Russian Literature
(Pushkinskiy Dom)
The largest in Russia collection of manuscripts, iconographic, memorial, and historical materials on Russian culture of the XVIII-XX centuries. Located at the former housing of the old customs. Open: 10.00 - 17.00. Tours only. Closed on SAT, SUN.
4 Makarova nab., tel. 328-0502.
Vasileostrovskaya

Alexander Pushkin Apartment Museum
The last residence of the Russian poetic genius. This is also where he died on January 29, 1837, after his duel. The exhibition displays original books and home utensils, personal possessions of the great poet, the original furnishings. Literary-monographical exposition is arranged in 18 halls: "Pushkin. Life and Creative Activity".
Open: 11.00 - 17.00. Closed on TUE and on the last FRI of every month.
12 Moyki Reki nab., tel. 314-0006, 117-3531.
Gostinyy Dvor, Nevskiy Prospekt

Fyodor Dostoyevsky Literary And Memorial Museum
Arranged according to the original interior design of the great writer's last apartment. On display: documents, photographs and personal belongings of the writer. The exhibition outlines Dostoyevsky's life and work.
Open: 11.00 - 17.30. Closed on MON and on the last WED of every month.
5/2 Kuznechnyy per., tel. 117-4031.
Vladimirskaya, Dostoevskaya
Anna Akhmatova Museum, Fontanny Dom (House)
The exposition is dedicated to the life and work of the famous poetess, and is located in the apartment where she lived from 1924 to 1952.
Open: 10.30 - 17.30. Closed on MON and on the last WED of every month.
34 Fontanki Reki nab. (a wing of the Sheremetevskiy Palace), tel. 272-2211.
Gostinyy Dvor

Alexander Blok Apartment Museum
Located in the house where A.Blok lived in 1912-1921. Here he wrote the majority of his most famous lyrics, poems, and parts. The exhibition displays books, autographs, historical photographs and personal belongings of the poet.
Open: 11.00 - 17.00, TUE till 16.00.
Closed on WED and on the last TUE of every month.
57 Dekabristov ul., tel. 113-8633.
Sennaya Ploshad, Sadovaya

Museums & Palace-And-Park Ensembles Of St.Petersburg Suburbs

Town Gatchina

The Palace-And-Park Ensemble Gatchina
The palace-and-park ensemble consists of the Gatchina Palace (architect A.Rinaldi, 2nd half of the XVIII century), and the park - the first landscaped park in Russia. The palace throughout its history was the residence of the Russian emperors Paul I nicknamed "the most romantic Russian Emperor", and Alexander III. On display: gala halls of the XVIII century, exhibition of Western-European and Russian paintings and arms of the XVII-XIX centuries. The romantic feature of Gatchinsky Palace is an underground tunnel to the lake. The pride of the park are the unique pavilions "Beriozovy Dom" ("Birch House") and "Pavilion Venery" ("Pavilion of Venus").
Open: 10.00 - 17.00. Closed on MON and on the first TUE of every month. Tel. (271)134-92
Suburban trains from Baltiyski railway terminal to the Gatchina-Baltiyskaya station (45 km from St.Petersburg; travel time - about one hour); 431 bus or charter taxi from Pobedy pl. ( Moskovskaya).

Town Lomonosov

The Palace-And-Park Ensemble Oranienbaum
The palace-and-park ensemble on the southern shore of the Gulf of Finland opposite the town-fortress Kronshtadt (architects D.Fontana and J.Schedel). In 1743, Oranienbaum became the summer residence of the future emperor Peter III. A fortress ensemble with a petite palace was constructed for him to the design of architect A.Rinaldi. Later, A.Rinaldi was commissioned by the Empress Catherine the Great to erect the Chinese Palace and the Katalnaya Gorka (Sliding Hill) with a pavilion. The architectural style of these monuments is distinguished by the subtle blend of elegant rococo style with traces of classicism. Oranienbaum is famous for its landscape parks dating back to the middle of the XIX century. The following palace-museums are available to visit: the Chinese Palace, the palace of Peter III, the Japanese Pavilion of the Bolshoy (Menshikovsky) Palace.
Open: 11.00 - 17.00, MON till 16.00.
Closed on TUE and on the last MON of every month.
Tel. 422-3753.
Suburban trains from Baltic Station terminal to the Oranienbaum station (40 km from St.Petersburg; travel time - about one hour);
431 bus or charter taxi from Pobedy pl. ( Moskovskaya).

Town Pavlovsk

The Palace-And-Park Ensemble Pavlovsk
This is a superb palace-and-park ensemble of the late XVIII - early XIX centuries which was used as a summer residence of the Russian emperor Paul I and his family. The landscape park, one of the largest in Europe, covers the area of 600 ha. The works on the palace-and-park ensemble on the winding banks of the Slavyanka river lasted for 50 years. Architects: Ch.Cameron, V.Brenna, G.Guarenghi, A.Voronikhin, C.Rossi, sculptors M.Kozlovsky, I.Martos, I.Prokofiev, F.Gordeyev, G.Demut-Malinovsky. The formation of the collections of the Pavlovsky Palace was closely connected with the trip of its owners over Europe in 1781-1782. They visited workshops of well-known artists, ordering and acquiring paintings, furniture, bronze parts, silk fabrics, china sets, etc. They brought to Russia a large number of antique sculptures from Italy, as well as gifts from European royal courts. The museum also displays an excellent collection of portraits by Russian artists and a number of Pavlovsk landscape paintings and drawings. Residential Rooms of Empress Maria Fedorovna decorated by architects Guarenghi and Voronikhin at the beginning of the XIX century and enrapturing with their harmonious beauty, are open to the public. After essential restoration, the library by Rossi is open. The library was built in 1824 for the Empress Maria Fedorovna to host abundant collection of books and rarities.
Open: 10.00 - 17.00. Closed on FRI and on the first MON of every month.
Tel. 470-2156.
Suburban trains from Vitebsk Station terminal to the Pavlovsk station (27 km from St.Petersburg; travel time - about 30 minutes); or charter taxis from Moskovskaya.

Town Pushkin

The Palace-And-Park Ensemble Tsarskoye Selo
The Palace-and-Park ensemble of Tsarskoye Selo - a former country residence of Russian emperors - is a fascinating monument of the world's architectural and gardening arts of the XVIII-XIX centuries. Its three parks occupy the area of 600 ha, on which over 100 architectural constructions rise: from magnificent palaces and grand monuments to intimate pavilions and park sculptures. The compositional centre of the Tsarskoselsky ensemble is Catherine's Palace, containing exquisite decorative objects, furniture, Russian and Western-European paintings, unique collections of porcelain, amber, arms, decorative bronze, sculptures etc. Nowadays, the collection of the museum Tsarskoye Selo numbers about 20,000 items. During the celebrations of the tercentenary to St.Petersburg, the "Amber Room" was opened after its restoration, one of the official gala halls in Catherine's Palace.
The Tsarskoselsky Lyceum, an elite school established in Russia in the beginning of the XIX century for noble families offsprings which the great Russian poet A.S.Pushkin attended, is situated next to the palace. In the Catherine's Park, the exhibiton "Passions, Weaknesses, Delights... (Man and Woman in the Ancient Days)" is open.
The exposition "Recollections in the Alexander's Palace" is open in the last residence of Russian emperors, architectural chef d'oeuvre of the XVIII century (architect G.Guarenghi). In its 12 halls, with authentic or partially reconstructed attire, artworks like paintings, graphics, decorative and applied art, costumes, personal belongings etc. are represented, related to the life of its crowned owners.
Catherine's Palace open: 10.00 - 17.00.
Closed on TUE and on the last MON of every month.
Tel. 466-6669.
The exhibition in Alexander's Palace open: 10.00 - 16.30. Closed on TUE.
Tel. 466-6669.
Suburban trains from Vitebsk Station terminal to the Detskoye Selo station (25 km from St.Petersburg; travel time - about 30 minutes); followed by 371, 382 bus-routes to the parks; alternatively 287 bus or charter taxis from Pobedy pl. ( Moskovskaya).

Town Peterhof

The Palace-And-Park Ensemble Peterhof
Peterhof is a jewel of the Russian art, a town of parks, palaces, and fountains. In the past it used to be an exquisite summer residence of Russian tsars. Verkhniy (Upper) Garden and Nizhniy (Lower) Park, genuine masterpieces of landscape design, number over 150 fountains, 4 monumental cascades. On the territory of the reserve, there are 10 working museums: the Grand Palace, Monplaisir, Catherine's Block, Marli, Hermitage, the church of St.Alexander Nevsky (Gothic Capella), the Benois family museum, Cottage, the Bath Block including Tafeldecker and Kaffeeschenk Rooms and The Kitchen, and the Museum of Collectors. The exposition of the Special Treasury and the private room of Catherine the Great in the Block-under-the-Armcoat of the Grand Palace are open for public.
The Grand Palace museum is open: 10.30 - 17.00.
Closed on MON and on the last TUE of every month.
Tel. 420-0073.
Other museums are open: 10.30 - 17.00.
The Nizhniy Park museum is open: 9.00 - 20.00, weekends till 21.00.
Fountains are playing: 11.00 - 17.00, on SAT and SUN till 18.00.
Suburban trains from Baltic Station terminal till the Novy Peterhof station (40 km from St.Petersburg; trip time - about 40 minutes), followed by 348, 350, 351, 352, 356 bus-routes or charter taxi to Verkhny Park; or charter taxis from Baltiyskaya.

Settlement Strelna

The Constantine Palace
A state residence, historical and cultural monument, and modern business centre. The idea of construction of a palace-and-park ensemble in Strelna dates back to 1715 and is connected to the name of Peter I. The palace was conceived as a state residence, the grandeur and beauty of which would outshine the famous Versailles. Many architects participated in the creation of Strelna complex: G.-B.Leblond, N.Michetti, M.Zemtsov, P.Eropkin, F.B.Rastrelli, A.Voronikhin, A.Stackenschneider, etc. Construction works were launched in 1720. But by 1730 Peter I-s concern switched over to the neighboring Peterhof. In 1797, the Emperor Paul I presented the deserted palace to his son ? Grand Duke Constantine Pavlovich, and "Strelina Myza" became a grand-ducal estate. In 1990, UNESCO added this unique architectural complex to the list of monuments of world historical and cultural heritage in danger of complete decay. But it was only in 2001 that the restoration of the palace-and-park ensemble in Strelna began under a decree of President Putin. The works were completed by the tercentenary of St.Petersburg.
Today, the visitors of the Governmental Complex "Congress Palace", a part of which is the Constantine Palace, can learn of the Palace history, its creation and reconstruction, life stories of its owners. For connoisseurs, the wine collection of the Palace will be of interest: there are 13,000 bottles in it worth 20,000,000 Roubles. Wine-testing from the cellars is offered.
Open: 10.00 - 18.00, excursions hourly. Closed on WED.
Tickets are sold in the booking-office on the day of excursion.
On the days of special events, the complex is closed for the public.
Tel. 438-5360.
Access: suburban train from Baltic Station to Strelna Station (30 km from St.Petersburg; trip time 25 min.), or charter taxis from Baltiyskaya or Leninskiy Prospekt.

Palace Of Peter The Great
Wooden palace was built in 1716 as bivouac palace for Peter I and later redesigned by the architect F.B.Rastrelli. The palace makes a significant mark at Peterhof Road landscape. Since June 2000, the historical and artistic museum is open here which is now the main information center on Strelna history. Permanent exposition introduces "The History of the Palace, Strelna, and Its Owners. Exhibition of the interior of the XVIII century".
Open: 10.30 - 17.00.
Closed on MON and the last TUE of every month.
Settlement Strelna, 2 Bolnichnaya Gorka ul., tel. 421-4131.
Suburban trains from Baltic Station terminal to the Strelna station (30 km from S.Petersburg, trip time 25 min.); alternatively, charter taxis from Baltiyskaya.

Settlement Repino

Country-seat of i.e.repin "penates"
Unique spot of Russian culture situated in a picturesque village Kuokkala, where the great Russian artist I.E.Repin spent his last 30 years. The museum was established in 1940. Residential rooms' interiors and the studio of the great painter were reconstructed. Among the exhibits, there are personal belongings of Repin, and over 100 artworks. Cosy park where the alleys were laid, ponds and artesian well dug, summer houses built, existed when Repin was still alive. Big alley of birch-trees leads to the artist's tomb.
Open: 10.30 - 16.00. Closed on TUE.
Settlement Repino, 411 Primorskoye shosse, tel. 231-6834.
Suburban trains from Finland Station terminal to the Repino station (45 km from S.Petersburg, trip time 50 min.); alternatively, from Chernaya Rechka by 411 bus.

Town Vyborg

Museum and natural preserve
"park monrepos"
Historical, architectural, and natural museum and preserve situated on the coast of the Bay Zashchitnaya of the Vyborgskiy Gulf covers the area of 163 ha. During about two centuries (1788-1943), Park Monrepos belonged to the family of Barons Nicolai, whose progenies contributed the glory of Russian State. Manor and park ensemble created at the edge of the XVIII-XIX centuries is the historical core of the preserve. It comprises Main House and the Library Outbilding, nice examples of wooden architecture styled in classicism, and romantic landscape park with its rocks and boulders. Architects D.Martinelli, A.Montferrand, A.Stackenschneider, Ch.Tatam, artists J.Mettenleiter, P.Gonzago designed the park layout. Natural preserve lies in a particular geographical zone, unique Ice Age stone ridges up to 20 m high in it, and is able to boast of 48 species of plants including very rare, and rich wildlife.
Open: 10.00 - 18.00.
Tel. (278) 20-539.
Bus, or suburban train from Finland Station terminal, till Vyborg (trip time about 2 hours), then city bus routes No. 6, 206