St. Petersburg sites
Mar 29th, 2010, 03:54 PM
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St. Petersburg sites
We are trying to visit the great art museums of the world, and the Hermitage is next on our list. Alas, since I was so focused, I only allowed three full days in St. Petersburg; two of them will be used on the Hermitage, so I am looking for something for the third day.
Pushkin and Petrovorets are highly recommended, but I think either of these would take a whole day, and they sound to me very opulent, somewhat like Versailles, and I didn't particularly like Versailles. I'm considering taking a canal ride, spending time at the State Museum of Russian Art, and a church or two within walking distance of our hotel near the Hermitage.
I seek information on the State Museum of Russian Art. I was poisoned in school with descriptions of Russian art (Soviet art, more precisely) as being dull and propagandistic, but that doesn't seem to fit the art in this museum. Is it an interesting place? What is a good way to use our last day (a Sunday) within walking distance of the Hermitage?
Pushkin and Petrovorets are highly recommended, but I think either of these would take a whole day, and they sound to me very opulent, somewhat like Versailles, and I didn't particularly like Versailles. I'm considering taking a canal ride, spending time at the State Museum of Russian Art, and a church or two within walking distance of our hotel near the Hermitage.
I seek information on the State Museum of Russian Art. I was poisoned in school with descriptions of Russian art (Soviet art, more precisely) as being dull and propagandistic, but that doesn't seem to fit the art in this museum. Is it an interesting place? What is a good way to use our last day (a Sunday) within walking distance of the Hermitage?
Mar 30th, 2010, 12:23 AM
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You are right: the Hermitage is one of the world's greatest art museums.
I would also strongly recommend to visit Isaac's Cathedral with stunning mosaics inside (due to humid conditions, they replaced paintings by mosaics).
The Museum of Russian Art has much more to offer than Soviet art: the chronology of the evolution of Russian folk art and icon painting, Maleviches and Kandinskys and some private collections which were confiscated by the Soviets.
If you are interested in history, you should also visit Peter and Paul's fortress, the historical heart of Sankt Petersburg.
A canal ride will be relaxing after spending your time in the Hermitage. Enjoy the city - the architecture is artwork too.
I would also strongly recommend to visit Isaac's Cathedral with stunning mosaics inside (due to humid conditions, they replaced paintings by mosaics).
The Museum of Russian Art has much more to offer than Soviet art: the chronology of the evolution of Russian folk art and icon painting, Maleviches and Kandinskys and some private collections which were confiscated by the Soviets.
If you are interested in history, you should also visit Peter and Paul's fortress, the historical heart of Sankt Petersburg.
A canal ride will be relaxing after spending your time in the Hermitage. Enjoy the city - the architecture is artwork too.
Mar 30th, 2010, 02:00 AM
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A place I found very interesting in St Petersburg was the shrine of Alexander Nevsky in the monastery at the end of Nevsky Prospect near the train station.
The two cemeteries in the monastery contain the remains of famous Russian composers, writers, film directors,ballet stars etc.
The two cemeteries in the monastery contain the remains of famous Russian composers, writers, film directors,ballet stars etc.
Mar 30th, 2010, 07:12 AM
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I agree with Echnaton: The Museum of Russian Art is well worth visiting. The collection of icons was particularly impressive. As I recall (its been many years), there was an informative audiotape. And if I recall correctly, it is within walking distance of the Hermitage, at least if you are willing to take a somewhat long walk. It is an interesting area, and worth considering walking just to see what you can see along the way.
Echnaton and crdtny have given you some other great ideas, too. And I agree that taking the canal ride in the evening is a very pleasant thing to do.
Hope that helps!
Echnaton and crdtny have given you some other great ideas, too. And I agree that taking the canal ride in the evening is a very pleasant thing to do.
Hope that helps!
Apr 13th, 2010, 11:40 PM
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Couple of suggestions:
canal cruise - The Hermitage closes at 5.30pm so you still have the evening open for some sightseeing. Next to the Hermitage across the Palace Square near the Kempinsky Moika 22 hotel you can find a street sign 'canal cruise with audio-guide'. It is a new service launched last summer and became extremely popular - you go on board of the mid-size boat and on the way listen to the tour in your language - every passenger is given with the personal mp3 player and can choose the language. The boat ride starts every two hours. The girl who operates it speaks English. This can be a good thing to do after your feet are tired in the Hermitage
The third day - you can plan a nice walk including St.Isaak's square (visiting the Cathedral), then walk down to Nevsky prospekt, have coffee in the Zinger House, go to visit Savior-on-the-Spilled Blood church, then proceed to the Russian Art Museum. Truly speaking it is my favorite museum in St.Petersburg. I love the old icons and Russian classical art exhibited there. Take an audio-guide to lead through the rooms and explain the paintings. There is also a section of the Russian folk art available.
In the late afternoon walk around Mikhailovsky Castle, near Fontanka river - it is nice, picturesque and quiet part of the city center
canal cruise - The Hermitage closes at 5.30pm so you still have the evening open for some sightseeing. Next to the Hermitage across the Palace Square near the Kempinsky Moika 22 hotel you can find a street sign 'canal cruise with audio-guide'. It is a new service launched last summer and became extremely popular - you go on board of the mid-size boat and on the way listen to the tour in your language - every passenger is given with the personal mp3 player and can choose the language. The boat ride starts every two hours. The girl who operates it speaks English. This can be a good thing to do after your feet are tired in the Hermitage
The third day - you can plan a nice walk including St.Isaak's square (visiting the Cathedral), then walk down to Nevsky prospekt, have coffee in the Zinger House, go to visit Savior-on-the-Spilled Blood church, then proceed to the Russian Art Museum. Truly speaking it is my favorite museum in St.Petersburg. I love the old icons and Russian classical art exhibited there. Take an audio-guide to lead through the rooms and explain the paintings. There is also a section of the Russian folk art available.
In the late afternoon walk around Mikhailovsky Castle, near Fontanka river - it is nice, picturesque and quiet part of the city center
Apr 14th, 2010, 02:57 AM
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we enjoyed yelagin island...nice change from all the city stuff
catch train to chernaya rechka to get there..
try to have a coffee at the literaturnoe cafe..where alexaner pushkin had his last coffee before his duel
its on nevsky prospekt
statue of pushkin at station chernaya rechka...where he had the duel and later died from the wounds
catch train to chernaya rechka to get there..
try to have a coffee at the literaturnoe cafe..where alexaner pushkin had his last coffee before his duel
its on nevsky prospekt
statue of pushkin at station chernaya rechka...where he had the duel and later died from the wounds
