The Most Beautiful City in Russia Isn't Moscow, But This Magnificent Historical City
Saint Petersburg, as Russia's former capital facing Europe, exudes an air of calm confidence.
Unlike Moscow, Saint Petersburg has always been considered European, while Moscow is the heart of Russia. Saint Petersburg was founded in 1703 and has a history of over 300 years. It boasts numerous museums, churches, and palaces, and the entire city is filled with buildings from two to three hundred years ago.
'I love the city Peter built,' Pushkin exclaimed without reservation in his epic poem 'The Bronze Horseman.'
If you want to explore this city, be sure not to miss these 10 interesting facts about Saint Petersburg!
1Cultural and Artistic Capital
Unlike Moscow, Saint Petersburg has always been considered European, Saint Petersburg is the most European city in Russia, Moscow views Saint Petersburg as Russia's European province. If Moscow is the spiritual home of Russia and the defender of Russia's ancient honors, then Saint Petersburg played the role of Russia's Western civilization representative. Saint Petersburg, with its abundant culture and art, has become Russia's genuine cultural and artistic capital.
2The Soul of Russia
As one of the greatest kings of the 18th century, Peter the Great built Saint Petersburg. After that, for 300 years, from the Romanov dynasty to the Red Soviet, ups and downs, wars, revolutions, and writers all took place here.
From 1712 to 1918, Saint Petersburg served as the capital of Russia for 200 years. During this period, Russian music, painting, architecture, dance, and other fields flourished, leaving behind numerous artworks and historical relics here.
3World Cultural Heritage
Saint Petersburg and its historical center, ancient sites, were listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, making it the only city in the world to be entirely listed as a cultural heritage. Saint Petersburg is Russia's most culturally significant city and the world's most culturally rich place.
4Northern Venice
Saint Petersburg is a water city, also known as Northern Venice, the Neva River and Fontanka River converge in Saint Petersburg, forming a picturesque landscape. It has over 60 rivers, canals, and 400 bridges, composed of nearly 100 islands and riverbanks, adding to Saint Petersburg's charm.
5The White Nights
Due to Saint Petersburg's high latitude, there are 'White Nights' during the summer evenings from mid-June to early July. The summer solstice, the sun never sets.
6Architectural Styles
Architecture enthusiasts will not miss Saint Petersburg. Saint Petersburg gathers numerous palace and church buildings, sculptures, gardens, and parks are everywhere. Whether it's neoclassical and Baroque architectural styles or Stalinist modern and Neo-Gothic styles, you can find it here.
7Museums
Saint Petersburg has over 200 museums, countless cultural venues and numerous architectural wonders.
The Winter Palace Museum was originally the Imperial Palace of Russia, the second largest art and cultural museum in the world, ranking alongside the Louvre in Paris and the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. This museum with a history of 255 years collects over 270,000 artworks and handicrafts, its history dating back to the height of ancient Egypt. You can see real mummies here.
8Churches
The Blood Church (Church on Spilled Blood) is a landmark of Saint Petersburg, a typical Russian-style building. Its candy-colored dome and unparalleled inlay work will amaze you.
9Palaces and Gardens
Saint Petersburg is one of the few cities that can perfectly integrate natural landscapes with man-made buildings. The entire city is covered in forests, so summer is undoubtedly the best time to visit Saint Petersburg. The Summer Palace is located in the southern forest of the Finnish Bay, outside Saint Petersburg, and is known as the Russian Versailles.
10Cafes
Many cafes in Saint Petersburg have the traces of famous historical figures, such as Pushkin, Dostoevsky, and Tolstoy. Some cafes are still operating today. For example, Cafe zinger, located in a historic building, still exudes the charm of the old world.
