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The State Hermitage Museum |
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Peter and
Paul Fortress |
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Walk along the Neva River – Kids are tired of
paintings and gilded ceilings? Take a walk along the Neva River embankment.
From the Hermitage, if you go left (west) along the Admiralteyskaya Nab,
there are lion statues to climb on and a nice bronze statue of "Peter
the Shipbuilder," Peter the Great building a boat. Keep going along
the river, until you reach the Alexander Gardens and the Bronze Horseman,
a statute of Peter the Great on horseback, put up by Catherine the Great
in 1778. |
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Alternatively, you can go right (east) along the river, to
the Summer Gardens. The gardens were laid out in the time of Peter
the Great and originally had mechanized fountains and a small zoo. Today,
the trees and paths are somewhat untended, but it's a lovely place to stretch
your legs in the afternoon or early evening. (Modest fee required to enter
the gardens). |
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Whichever direction you walk along the Neva River, it's a
wide expanse where you can watch the boats go by, including the hydrofoil
that goes to Peterhof. Across the river, you can see the Peter and Paul
Fortress and the gilded spire of the St. Peter and Paul's Cathedral, once
the tallest landmark in St. Petersburg. |
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Church on Spilled Blood (Church of the Resurrection of Christ)
– Not far from the Nevsky Prospect is the Church on Spilled Blood.
You can't fail to notice the sea green, turquoise and white towers, twirled
like a triple-flavor soft ice cream cone. The church was built to commemorate
the assassination of Tsar Alexander II in 1881. Inside, the walls are
decorated with gilded mosaics depicting the life of Christ, the floor
is covered in marble. Don't miss the canopy over the cobblestones, marking
the spot where Alexander was mortally wounded. |
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Boat ride on the canals – Take a boat ride on
the canals, past building facades of yellow, peach, blue and cream, sunlight
glinting on gilded spires and domes as you pass by. You'll explore the Moyka,
Griboedova and Fontanka canals and river. In an open boat, some of the bridges
are so low, it seems you'll bump your head. |
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You can pick up boat tours at the Nevsky Prospect and Griboedova
Canal or Fontanka. Unless you want non-stop commentary in Russian while
cruising the canals, ask at your hotel for an English guide or arrange for
a water taxi (somewhat pricey, but you'll have peace and quiet). |
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Russian Museum – This museum is worth
a visit, even in nice weather. The charm of this museum are vivid scenes
from Russian life – paintings of farmers harvesting wheat, ice skating
in winter, armies fighting in the snow, a 17th century merchant family,
a girl with a sickle in her hand, a boy thinking what to write (the painting
is called Composition). |
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Wishing dog – The wishing dog is a
contemporary landmark. Opposite the Catherine the Great statue on the Nevsky
Prospect is a small pedestrian street, Malaya Sadova. Next to the bronze
statue of of a man holding an umbrella, go into the countryard. To the right,
you'll see the small metal statue of a dog. Place your wish in the black
post box on the wall, then put a coin in the dog's mouth and whisper your
wish in the dog's ear. |
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Wax Museum (Beloselsky-Belozersky Palace) – This exhibit of waxwork figures from Russian history is awesome.
Each section has 50 figures – the first from the 12th - 19th century,
the second group includes the last Tsar, Stalin and other Soviet leaders
to the present. Figures are dressed in authentic costumes and have very
life-like expressions. Request a tour guide in English – you'll get
a detailed explanation of each figure. The wax museum is a wonderful way
to bring Russian history to life and a good background for all the historical
sites in St. Petersburg. |
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The Central Museum of Railway Transport of
Russia (50 Sadovaya Ul.) – This museum is chock full of Russian
train goodies – models of 19th century early steam trains and coaches,
intricate railways bridges, Russian trains in WW II with a diorama of a
bombed out train station, early 20th century diesel, electric and freight
cars, dioramas of railway construction and grand old train stations. Walk
through the compartment of a luxury train car. All the labels for the exhibits
are in Russian, but there's a booklet in English. |
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Yelagin Island (Elagin Island) – In
good weather, join all the other Russian families for a relaxing afternoon
at Yelagin Island. It's a wooded retreat, no cars, just shaded paths along
the Neva River and through the woods. Rent row boats or pedal
boats to explore the waterways. There are pony rides for little
ones. Pack a picnic. |
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Go to the Ballet – St. Petersburg
is home to the Kirov Ballet and the Mariinsky Theatre. The theater
itself is an experience, with a dazzling interior. Even if the Kirov Ballet
isn't performing, a ballet performance in St. Petersburg will not be forgotten. Click here for the schedule at the Mariinsky Theatre. |
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Go to the Philharmonic – The St. Petersburg
Philharmonic performs in a lovely concert hall (Great Hall of the Philharmonia)
and the program is sure to be memorable. You might hear a young violin virtuoso
play Prokofiev, or a professional soloist tackle the Rachmaninoff Piano
Concerto No. 3. The Children's Philharmonia has kid's concerts also.
Ask at your hotel for the schedule of performances. |
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Go to the St. Petersburg Circus – The world famous St. Petersburg Circus has been performing in this majestic
building since 1877. Kids will love the jugglers, clowns and amazing animal
shows! Click
here for the schedule. (In the summer, the circus is often out of town
from July - Sept.) |
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Clearly told
story of Peter the Great – his fascination with everything
European as a boy, travels in Holland and England, changes and innovations,
and the construction of St. Petersburg. Colorfully illustrated.
(Picture book)
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Fascinating
novel of Katya, a wealthy young girl living in St. Petersburg
at the beginning of the Russian Revolution. Katya goes from royal
family insider to a very different life in war-torn Russia. (Chapter
book)
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Continuing the
captivating story of Angel
on the Square, in June, 1941 Germany attacks Russia. Back in
Leningrad (St. Petersburg), Georgi, Marya and their mother Katya
prepare for the long winter, as the Germans encircle the city. A
gripping, vibrant story of the siege of Leningrad. (Chapter book)
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It's
1991, and Georgi's granddaughter, Tatiana, is a ballerina in the
Kirov Ballet. Change is in the air, and Tatiana is divided in
her loyalties to her country and her own career. The fourth book
in this excellent series, set in St. Petersburg, at the end of
the 20th century. (Chapter book)
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When
Anna Pavlova first saw a performance of Sleeping Beauty at
the Mariinsky Theatre, she knew she wanted to be a ballerina. This
is her story of that special night. (Picture book)
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(More children's
books on other Russia pages) |
