St Petersburg, Russia

 St Petersburg, Russia

        St Petersburg is the second largest city in Russia and one of the world's major cities. It has more to offer than just the Hermitage Museum and the Kirov Ballet. It is one of the biggest cultural centres in the world, a city with an exceptionally rich history, centuries-old traditions and a promising future.

         The key factors in the city's success were century-old traditions, a rich history and its great tourist potential.

           Almost all basic trends in world and Russian architecture of the 18th-20th centuries are found in St Petersburg. The city has played a vital role in both Russian and European history. Founded by Peter the Great in 1703, it was the capital of the Russian Empire for two centuries.

            The city has changed its name three times: St Petersburg (1703-1914), Petrograd (1914-1924), Leningrad (1924-1991) and St Petersburg again from 1991. The world's most fascinating city is built on more than 45 islands, modelled in the French style by some of the world's greatest architects.

             The islands are connected by more than 342 bridges, of which 21 are raised at night. This gives the city its other name, «The Venice of the North». It is therefore little wonder that the city is also known as a «Museum in the Open Air». Among the majestic memorials, you can feel the breath of intellectual life, which was brought into St Petersburg by Peter the Great. The most famous professors – people such as Leibnitz from Germany – worked on a project for the creation of the Science Academy and other institutes.

            Today, St Petersburg is ranked alongside Paris and Rome as one of the most beautiful cities in the world.

Population: more than 5 million.

Area: approximately 600 sq km.

Climate: moderate, maritime. Average temperature in winter: -10C to -8C; spring: 0C to 10C; summer: 18C to 20C; autumn: 0C to 10C. Where to stay: There are few hotels located in central St Petersburg. Most of the hotels can be found outside the centre.

Entertainment: St Petersburg is a city of cultural and night-life entertainment. The intensive opera, ballet and classical music programmes run during the White Nights Festival, whereas most of the theatres are closed for the period of July, August and September because their companies go on tour.

Getting around: There are five railway stations, three airports, two bus stations, a seaport and a river station. Public transport is very efficient and cheap, with a highly developed network of underground (Metro) trains, buses, trolleybuses and trams serving all the main sights in the centre.