Facts About Saint Petersburg

Facts About Saint Petersburg Saint Petersburg, situated along the shores of the Gulf of Finland, was founded in 1703 under the reign of Peter the Great. Serving as Russia’s capital for two centuries, it has been a witness to pivotal historical events. Renowned for its distinctive architecture, it is often referred to as the “Venice of the North”. Additionally, the city’s vibrant and inspirational ambiance draws in artists, poets, and visionaries alike.

Located 400 km from Helsinki, Saint Petersburg is conveniently connected to the Finnish capital via various modes of transportation including buses, express trains, and ferries, with frequent services operating daily. Travel durations range from 3.5 to 6 hours, contingent upon the chosen transport option. Access to frequent European excursions is a notable perk of residing in the city on the Neva River. However, it is essential to secure a Schengen visa beforehand, which can be obtained through the embassies of European nations in your respective country.

Saint Petersburg Information

Quick Facts About Saint Petersburg

• Saint Petersburg ranks as the seventh largest city in Europe, trailing behind London, Paris, Moscow, Madrid, and Manchester. It holds the distinction of being the northernmost city in the world with a population exceeding one million.

• Housing approximately three million works of art, the Hermitage Museum warrants more than just a day trip to fully explore its vast collection.

• Adjacent to the Peter and Paul Fortress, Saint Petersburg boasts its own beach, which enjoys popularity year-round. Winter sees an influx of “walruses” who embrace the purported health benefits of cold water immersion, suggesting the use of wetsuits for comfort.

• The Krasin icebreaker, dating back to 1905, remains impeccably preserved and offers visitors an awe-inspiring tour of its various departments.

• Within the White Dining Room of the Hermitage Palace, a poignant historical marker is the stopped clock, frozen at 2:10am—the moment marking the end of the Provisional Government of Russia, detained by the Communists on October 25th, 1917.

• The resplendent Amber Room, adorned with amber panels, gold leaf, and mirrors, suffered looting by the Nazis during WWII. Subsequently restored after recovered items were repatriated from Germany, it now graces the Catherine Palace of Tsarskoye Selo.

• Isaac Cathedral’s grand dome, designed to accommodate 14,000 standing worshippers, gleams with a sheen of pure gold.

• Standing proudly at the heart of Saint Petersburg, the 48-meter Alexander Column remains upright solely due to its own weight, without any anchoring into the ground.

• Saint Petersburg boasts a rich cultural history with illustrious residents including artists Karl Brullov and Ilya Repin, poets Alexander Pushkin and Anna Akhmatova, writers Nikolai Gogol and Fyodor Dostoevsky, and musicians Peter Tchaikovsky and Dmitri Shostakovich.

• Korushka, a beloved Russian fish dish, garners annual celebration with the Korushka Festival held each spring across numerous restaurants in the city. Moreover, a restaurant named Korushka operates year-round along the Neva River adjacent to the Peter and Paul Fortress.

10 Interesting Facts About Saint Petersburg

Saint Petersburg, Russia, is a city rich in history, culture, and architectural beauty.

• Founded by Tsar Peter the Great in 1703, Saint Petersburg served as the capital of the Russian Empire for more than two centuries until the capital was moved back to Moscow in 1918.

• The city is often referred to as the “Venice of the North” due to its numerous canals and bridges, reminiscent of the Italian city.

• Saint Petersburg is home to the Hermitage Museum, one of the largest and oldest museums in the world, housing over 3 million works of art and artifacts.

• The city’s iconic landmarks include the Winter Palace, the Peter and Paul Fortress, the Church of the Savior on Spilled Blood, and the Kazan Cathedral.

• Saint Petersburg has a rich literary heritage, being the setting for works by famous Russian authors such as Fyodor Dostoevsky, Alexander Pushkin, and Anna Akhmatova.

• The city has a continental climate, with short, mild summers and long, cold winters. The “White Nights” phenomenon occurs during the summer months when the sun barely sets, creating an almost continuous daylight.

• Saint Petersburg was known as Petrograd during World War I and Leningrad during the Soviet era, before reverting to its original name in 1991 after the collapse of the Soviet Union.

• The city is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, recognized for its historic center, which contains numerous architectural masterpieces and cultural landmarks.

• Saint Petersburg is a major cultural and educational center, home to several universities, theaters, and music conservatories.

• Despite its historical significance and cultural richness, Saint Petersburg has also faced challenges such as flooding due to its low-lying geography and economic difficulties during periods of political and social change.

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