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St.Petersburg
Specially built as an imperial capital ad exemplum of great European cities, Saint Petersburg has a unique ambience that is nowhere else to find. It is still referred to as the cultural or Northern capital. Its palaces, museums, theatres, distant suburbs and parks are renowned pieces of the world's cultural heritage. Its founder Peter the Great aimed it first and foremost as a port city opening an outlet for Russia to the Baltic Sea and to the countries of Europe and introducing Russia to the rest of the world. Over the course of many years a window in Europe has developed as a center of vital ties between East and West, Europe and Asia, both a birthplace and a second home for the traditions of the world culture. Nowadays Saint Petersburg combines its fascinating Russian heritage with European traditions. More... |
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Suburbs of St.Petersburg
The luxurious royal residences are situated in the picturesque suburbs of Saint Petersburg. The amazing palace, fountain and park ensembles, created by the best architects and artists of that time, have been recently restored and demonstrate all the glory and splendor of Imperial Russia of the 18 - 19th century. Such small towns as Gatchina, Peterhof, Pavlovsk are world-famous and attract thousands of tourists annually.  More... |
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Valaam island
Located in the center of the lake’s northern part is the archipelago consisting of fifty islands and named after the biggest, Valaam. There on the high cliffs stands the Valaam Transfiguration Monastery, a major place of pilgrimage in Russia, a realm of elders and ascetics, a land steeped in holiness. The monastery founded in the 10th century is stauropegial, which means that it is directly guided by the Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia (not by a local bishop). The name of Valaam can be translated from Finish as “the high land”. Sometimes the name of the island is attributed to the biblical prophet Balaam or, more likely, to the Slav pagan idol Baal (Veles, Volos). One of Valaam legends says that a long time ago the island used to be a huge site of pagan sacrifices. More... |
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St.Petersburg
