The suburbs of St. Petersburg. Holiday in the suburbs of St. Petersburg

The suburbs of St. Petersburg by right are among the most popular and visited sights of Russia. Immortal masterpieces were created by Russian masters according to the projects of famous architects Zemtsov, Rastrelli, Quarenghi, Voronikhin, Rinaldi and other architects. However admirable the impressions of St. Petersburg may be, without visiting the luxurious palaces and parks in the vicinity of the "Northern Venice" they will be incomplete.

The best suburbs of St. Petersburg

Peter the Great, who founded St. Petersburg, on the southern shore of the Gulf of Finland, chose a place for his extensive seaside residence, which he named Peterhof. The picturesque ensemble included a palace, parks and gardens in the vicinity. Tsarskoe Selo, in general, was intended to receive ambassadors, and Pavlovsk was created as the residence of the Grand Duke. In the decoration of palaces and pavilions precious metals, marble, malachite, porphyry, lapis lazuli, amber were used.

In Peterhof, Strelna, Kronstadt, Lomonosov, Pushkin, Pavlovsk, currently one third of the total number of UNESCO World Heritage Sites located on the territory of St. Petersburg and the Leningrad Region. "Northern Venice" and its suburbs enjoy fantastic popularity among tourists. Not less attention is paid by travelers to the city of Gatchina of the Leningrad region (45 km from the metropolis). Since the XVIII century, here were the estates of the favorites of the royal family, and then the palace constructions for the imperial family were built. During the Soviet era, interiors and furniture were restored in the Gatchina Palace. In the halls there are unique collections of works of art.

Rest in the surroundings of the "Northern Venice"

The charming suburbs of St. Petersburg are a holiday for the eyes and soul. Thanks to the exceptional beauty of the summer residences of Russian emperors, the satellite towns and the village of Strelna have gained fame in popular resorts. The former imperial estates are in perfect harmony with the landscapes of the Gulf of Finland and the Northwest of the Russian Plain. Rest in the suburbs of St. Petersburg delivers an unforgettable pleasure. This is not only an inspection of world famous attractions, but walks in parks among palaces, bridges, fountains, visiting the beaches in the summer.

Not far from Peterhof and Lomonosov is Sergievka - a beautiful park and a palace ensemble. On the opposite coast of the Gulf of Finland there is a beautiful resort - Sestroretsk. Picturesque lakes, woods and a smooth shoreline allow you to relax and contemplate the beauty of nature.

Transport links with the suburbs. Accommodation in hotels

A great help in traveling, sightseeing and finding a hotel is a map of the suburbs of St. Petersburg. Well-established transport links and a well-developed roadside infrastructure allow for a few days to see the sights of the satellite cities of "Northern Venice". There is an opportunity to go on a sightseeing trip together with an organized group or independently (by train, bus, fixed-route taxi, rented car).

The palace and park complexes of Pushkin and Pavlovsk are located 23-28 km south of the metropolis. Western suburbs - Strelna, Peterhof and Lomonosov share with "Northern Venice" a short distance. The hotel complex "Light of the Lighthouse" in Strelna is only 3 km away from the Konstantinovsky Palace, the distance to Peterhof is 9 km and 25 km to the Pulkovo Airport of St. Petersburg. In close proximity to the magnificent attractions are the hotels of the suburbs of St. Petersburg - "Baltic Star", "New Peterhof", "Samson", Imperial Belveder Palace. The hotel "Lodge at the pier" is located 10 minutes walk from the architectural and park complex "Oranienbaum" and 8 km from Peterhof. The name of the hotels of the southern suburbs - Pushkin - reminds of Russian antiquity, historical characters (Potemkin, Katarina Hof, Hunting Manor, Old Castle). There are hotels located 5-10 minutes drive from the famous Alexander Park.

Peterhof - the capital of fountains

All the suburbs of St. Petersburg have a unique appearance, and Peterhof in this "constellation" of sights is given a place of honor. Petrodvorets is often called "Russian Versailles", "a precious Russian pearl". For 200 years, Peterhof served as a suburban residence of Russian tsars. In front of the facade of the Grand Palace there is a central cascade - gilded statues depicting ancient gods and heroes. In the center is a fountain in the form of Samson, tearing the jaws of a lion. The figure is allegorical, it represents Russia, which defeated Sweden in the Northern War. The gilding of sculptures is poured into the sun, streams of water sparkle, amazing the imagination of visitors with the magnificence of shades and the grandeur of design.

The suburbs of St. Petersburg. Sights of Peterhof

The construction of the country residence of Peter the Great in the south of the Gulf of Finland began in the first decade of the 18th century. Under the guidance of the best European architects and Russian engineers, projects of palaces, pavilions, fountains, fences were created and embodied in stone, metal and wood. In Peterhof you can visit and see:

• Palaces (Big, Marly, Cottage, Monplaisir and others);
• 14 well-equipped parks;
• A lot of sculptural compositions;
• 150 operating fountains and 4 cascades;
• The richest museum collections and exhibitions.

The lush interiors of the palaces of the middle of the XVIII century are richly decorated with gilded wood carvings, painted ceilings. The floors are encrusted with parquet from precious wood. In the halls of the times of Catherine the Great (1770s) less pomposity, elegant interiors decorated with stucco, precious silk upholstery, porcelain vases and much more.

Settlement Strelna and the palace and park ensemble

Currently Strelna is a luxurious architectural and park complex dominated by the magnificent Konstantinovsky Palace. The suburb is conveniently located 30 minutes from St. Petersburg, 7 minutes from Petergof and 15 minutes from Pulkovo International Airport. In summer, you can go on the water of the Gulf of Finland on an excursion "Suburbs of St. Petersburg" (Strelna, Peterhof, Lomonosov, Kronstadt). Motor ships depart from the piers on the Neva in the historic center of the "Northern Venice". Since 2003, the "Palace of Congresses" is located in Strelna - the residence of the President of the Russian Federation, a museum and a business center. When meetings of high-level government officials are not held at the palace, visitors are allowed to inspect the interior. The interiors were carefully restored by archival documents, old photographs and paintings.

Sights of Strelna

In 1715, Peter I wanted to build a "Russian Versailles" in Strelna, which is located 19 km to the west of St. Petersburg. In Peterhof, the Emperor found more suitable conditions for the water supply of the fountain system. The construction of the residence in Strelna continued under the Grand Duke Constantine, the son of Nicholas I. The main attractions of the complex:

• Konstantinovsky Palace and the park;
• The Traveling Palace of Peter the Great;
• Lviv Palace;
• Orel Palace;
• Exposition of works of art;
• A cellar with one of the greatest collections of elite wines in the world.

City on the island and the city - "orange tree"

Interesting suburbs of St. Petersburg are Kronstadt and Lomonosov (Oranienbaum). At the beginning of the 18th century Alexander Menshikov, an ally of Peter the Great, received an estate on the southern coast of the Gulf of Finland. The name Oranienbaum, according to one version, came from the German words "orange tree". The modern city of Lomonosov is located 44 km from St. Petersburg. The Grand Palace of the architectural complex "Oranienbaum" was built in the classical baroque style, it took 17 years to erect it. Since the 1730s there was the summer residence of Peter III. Constructed in the rococo style, the Chinese palace is richly decorated with paintings, sculptures and other works of art. All the suburbs of St. Petersburg were badly damaged during the Great Patriotic War (1941-1945). Only Mr. Lomonosov and the picturesque park were not affected by the bombing. Currently, you can enjoy the original landscapes and interiors of the country residence of Russian tsars. The historical center of the city and the architectural and park complex "Oranienbaum" are listed in UNESCO.

Kronstadt is a fortress built in the Gulf of Finland on. Kotlin. Founded by Peter the Great for the protection of St. Petersburg and the basing of the Russian fleet. Around Kronstadt in the XVIII-XIX centuries built more than 20 forts. The main attraction is the Naval Cathedral of St. Nicholas - one of the largest in Russia. Its appearance reminds the Sophia Cathedral in Constantinople.

Pushkin (Tsarskoe Selo)

When planning a trip to the suburbs of St. Petersburg, Pushkin's sights can be seen first. The estate in this territory was given by Peter the Great to his wife Catherine I. During the reign of Elizabeth Petrovna , a settlement was formed around the palace. The daughter of Peter I turned Tsarskoe Selo into a luxurious summer residence. The first years of the reconstruction of the Catherine Palace are associated with the name of the greatest architect, Rastrelli, who created a brilliant masterpiece of Russian baroque.

In 1755, the Amber Room was moved here from the Third Winter Palace - an entire room covered with amber panels, shining and reflecting light. In the years 1811-1843. In Tsarskoe Selo an elite educational institution was established for children from noble families. The great Russian poet AS Pushkin was educated in the Lyceum. Among the main attractions of the Catherine Palace is the unique Amber Room, reconstructed and opened for inspection in 2003. It is considered the "eighth wonder of the world".

The magnificent building of the Alexander Palace is built in classical style. In the halls are exhibited works of art, costumes and personal belongings of the Romanov family. Palaces and other buildings surround the picturesque Catherine and Alexandrovsky parks with ponds, hills and beautiful lawns.

Palaces and Parks of Pavlovsk

On the bank of the river Slavyanka in 1777 the summer residence of the Russian Emperor Paul I was founded. Under Catherine the Great, a palace ensemble was born here, born of the genius of the architect Cameron. The architect, being a fan of ancient Greek and Roman art, led the construction in a classical style. Paul I hired Italian architect Brenna, who gave the buildings more gloss and splendor. The palace, destroyed by fire, was rebuilt by the architects Voronikhin and Stakenschneider. In this form it has survived to this day. The main halls are decorated on the basis of collections of furniture, bronze, silk and paintings belonging to Paul I and Empress Maria Feodorovna. Pavlovsk Palace is surrounded by one of the most romantic and picturesque parks in Europe. High trees, winding creeks, paths harmonize with classical statues and comfortable benches.

If you were lucky enough to come to St. Petersburg, be sure to visit its suburbs. The former capital of the huge Russian Empire is enclosed in a ring of fabulously beautiful palaces and parks. The names "Peterhof", "Strelna", "Pushkin", "Pavlovsk", "Gatchina" and other attractions will add to your list of favorite places to visit.