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2003 - is the year of tercentenary of St.-Petersburg

In 2003 St.-Petersburg will be marking the 300^th anniversary of its founding by Peter the Great. The event will be a grand celebration of its magnificent past and its re-emergence as one of the world’s great cultural centers.

The jubilee has become a key theme of the economic development policies of the city government. The latter works closely with a number of national committees worldwide to prepare the City of St. Petersburg for its Tercentenary by supporting the renewal of Russian culture and artistic creativity as well renovating of the city center and main architectural highlights.

The tercentennial will be “a process,” not an isolated event. Governor of St.-Petersburg Vladimir Yakovlev has invited foreign countries to take part, involved business and cultural organizations, and developed appropriate projects and observances in the years leading to 2003.

Visiting St.-Petersburg in 2003 is one life experience for every foreign guest!

AGE
Peter the Great founded a new Russian fortress on little Hare Island in the Neva delta in 1703 and called it Sankt-Piterburgh. Work on the fortifications started in 1704; Peter and the city's first governor, Alexander Menshikov, decided to make St. Petersburg the new capital of Russia, which would not suffer in comparison with any other European capital in its splendour and importance. The general design for the city was drawn up by the architects Trezzini, Korobov and Yeropkin. They laid the basis for the planning of the new city with a trident of main avenues fanning out from the Admiralty.

POPULATION
According to the latest census, taken in 2000, 4,695,000 people currently live in St. Petersburg.

CLIMATE
The St. Petersburg climate is influenced by the huge expanses of the Atlantic Ocean and its immediate proximity to the Gulf of Finland; water also accounts for 10% of the city's area - a great number of rivers, lakes and marshes.

The region varies from a marine to a continental climate, mild and humid, with a significant amount of cloudy weather, frequent mists and substantial rainfall. In summer the city enjoys periods of hot, dry weather when the temperature can reach 35 degrees C. September is one of the most charming seasons of St.-Petersburg - it is still sunny, occasionally rains, average temperature is around +15 ^o C (59^o F).

TERRITORY
The city has an area of 606 sq. km., but if you include the immediate suburbs on the lowlands along the Neva and the Gulf of Finland, it is 1439 sq. km. The city measures 44 km from north to south and 25 km from east to west.

St. Petersburg developed according to a strict, well thought-out plan, which had been finalized by 1712. The wide Neva and all the numerous other rivers and canals were incorporated into the city's design and created its scale. 1865 saw the division of the city into 12 administrative sections. It is now divided into 20 administrative districts.

THE CENTRE
The historic centre of the city is Palace Square, which incorporates the Winter Palace, the General Staff Headquarters and Ministries Buildings. The Winter Palace used to be the Imperial residence. Several rooms in the palace were used to house unique works of art, and these rooms came to be known as the Hermitage. Later more buildings were constructed for the growing collections - the Small Hermitage, the Great Hermitage, the Hermitage Theatre and the New Hermitage. All these buildings now make up the State Hermitage - an enormous museum of art, history and culture. The collection includes paintings by Rubens, Rembrandt, Leonardo da Vinci, Titian and many other artists, as well as historical and cultural objects from many countries.

THE VENICE OF THE NORTH
St. Petersburg is built on 42 islands at the Neva delta where the river flows into the Gulf of Finland. It is one of the world's leading cities in terms of its number of rivers, islands and bridges. St. Petersburg is sometimes called a museum of bridges - it has over 300 of them.

69 rivers and other waterways flow through the city and its immediate environs; within the city limits there are 40 rivers, tributaries, canals and other waterways with a total length of 217.5 km. The principal ones are the Great and Lesser Neva, the Great, Medium and Lesser Nevka, the Fontanka, the Karpovka, the Okhta, the Zhdanovka, the Moika, Chernaya Rechka and the Obvodnyy Canal.

THE MAIN STREET
Nevsky Prospekt is St. Petersburg's main street. It began with the clearing of a straight cut through the forest and the building of a road on it.

The straight, wide thoroughfare starts from the Admiralty, passes through Ploshchad Vosstaniya and ends at the Alexander Nevsky Monastery. It was named after Alexander Nevsky (or possibly after the monastery, which was also called Nevsky). The city's main highway contains St. Petersburg's major shops, museums and theatres.

ISLANDS
In the early 20th century there were more than 100 islands in the city, but as a result of engineering work to develop the marine facade their number was reduced to 42. There are over 580 bridges, including 20 that can be raised (7 of these cross the Neva); the total area occupied by the river within the city's boundaries is 32 km (its total length from Lake Ladoga to the Gulf of Finland is 74 km). The length of the marine embankment within the limits of the modern city is about 35 km.

ST. PETERSBURG - A NAVAL CITY
A great deal in St. Petersburg's artistic decoration is reminiscent of the city's naval glory, which is inextricably linked with the expanses of the Baltic Sea. Peter the Great did all he could to ensure that the sails of Russian ships were seen along the Baltic coast. Russia became a formidable naval power, confirming its superiority with glorious victories and round-the-world voyages.

ST.-PETERSBURG CULTURAL LIFE STATISTICS

Cultural institutions working in St.-Petersburg:

Museums
• City network museums: 17 (including Central Exhibition Hall "Manege") and 16 affiliations
• Museums subordinated to the Ministry of Culture of Russian Federation: 8 and 10 affiliations
• Municipal museums: 10
• Departmental museums: 83 (including museums subordinated to: Russian Federation Ministries, City Administration Committees, Russian Academy of Sciences network, City Higher Education Establishments, Enterprises and Institutions )
• School museums: 86

Libraries
• State mass network libraries available to everyone: 188
• Federally subordinated libraries: 2
• Departmental libraries (subordinated to: City Higher Education Establishments, Trade Unions, Colleges and Technical
• Colleges, Museums, Theatres): 1080

Theatres
• City network theatres : 20
• Federally subordinated theatres: 3
• Municipal theatres: 21
• Regionally subordinated theatres, working in the city: 5
• Theatre collectives (private, departmental, of public organizations): probably 60 (the number varies depending on the season)

Concert Organizations
• City network concert organizations: 17 and 1 affiliation
• Subordinated to the Ministry of Culture of Russian Federation: 1 (St.-Petersburg Academic Philharmonic Hall named after D.D.Shostakovich)
• Concert organizations (private, departmental, of public organizations): 98 (including 68 music clubs, organizing "live" music concerts)

Culture Houses
• City network culture houses: 2
• Municipal culture houses: 25
• Departmental culture houses: 25

Parks
• City parks: 6
• Zoo: 1

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ARCHITECTURAL MONUMENTS
Among St. Petersburg's unique attractions are its numerous palaces, constructed in the 18th and 19th centuries, when the city was the capital of the Russian state; they formed the ceremonial face of the city. Several of the palaces and other buildings are outstanding examples of world architecture. They include the vast Winter Palace, the principal feature of Palace Embankment and Palace Square. Also worthy of attention are the Mikhailovsky Palace, the architecture along Nevsky Prospekt and the Engineers' Castle, which overlooks the expanse of the Field of Mars.

CATHEDRALS AND CHURCHES
St. Petersburg has 10 cathedrals, 39 Orthodox churches, Lutheran and Roman Catholic churches, an Armenian-Gregorian church, a Buddhist temple, a Muslim mosque and two synagogues. The world-famous cathedrals are: the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral of the Holy Trinity - one of the leading examples of 18th century Russian ecclesiastical architecture; the Cathedral of Our Lady of Kazan - a monument of Russian military glory, featuring trophies from the Patriotic War of 1812; and an example of classicist architecture - the Cathedral of the Resurrection of Christ ("The Saviour on the Blood").

THE SUMMER GARDEN
The Summer Garden is one of the favourite spots in our city for locals and visitors alike. It is situated in one of the outstanding sections of embankment on the left bank of the Neva and occupies nearly 12 hectares. The garden was created in 1704 according to an idea of Peter I; it became his formal residence and the city's greatest adornment.

ARTS' SQUARE
Arts' Square (Ploshchad Iskusstv) comprises the Russian Museum, the Mussorgsky Opera House, the Musical Comedy Theatre, the Great Hall of the Philharmonia and the Ethnographic Museum. From 1819-1825 a palace designed by architect Karl Rossi was built for Tsar Alexander I's brother Mikhail. Today the Mikhailovsky Palace is the home of the Russian Museum, one of the world's great museums containing the largest collection of Russian fine arts: ancient icons, paintings by Kiprensky, Shchedrin, Venetsianov, Bryullov, Kramskoy, Repin, Surikov, Serov and Vrubel, portraits by Nikitin, Rokotov, Argunov, Levitsky and Borovikovsky.

PETER AND PAUL FORTRESS
Peter and Paul Cathedral is the oldest church in St. Petersburg; building started within a month of the city's foundation on 29 June 1703. It was completed on 1 April 1704 and dedicated to the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul. Peter and Paul Fortress is the Imperial burial-vault: it contains the remains of almost all the Russian Emperors and Empresses. Marble sarcophagi are installed over the graves of the Tsars and members of their families.

THE SUBURBS
Over the course of two centuries from St. Petersburg's foundation in 1703, magnificent palace and park complexes were constructed close to the Russian capital: Peterhof (Petrodvorets), Strelna, Oranienbaum (Lomonosov), Tsarskoye Selo (Pushkin), Pavlovsk, Gatchina and a number of other country residences for Emperors, Grand Princes and grandees. They reflect all stages in the development of Russian architecture and landscaping from the 18th to 20th centuries.

Complete list of St.-Petersburg museums

THE HERMITAGE
One of the world’s greatest museums, founded in 1764 and occupying the buildings of the Winter Palace and Small, Old and New Hermitages and the Hermitage Theatre. The collection currently contains about 3 million items - painting, graphic art, sculpture, applied art, coins and archaeological monuments. Paintings by Titian, Caravaggio and Lotto as part of the traditional series “Masterpieces from the World’s Museums at the Hermitage”. Exhibitions: Titian’s “Venus in front of a Mirror” (until 26 Aug); “Dreams of Gothic and Renaissance” - the art of Siena from the 14th to the first half of the 16th centuries (4 June-26 Aug); “Mexican Antiquities” (23 June-13 Oct). Open Tues-Sun 10.30 a.m. to 5.00 p.m. 34 Dvortsovaya Nab. T: 311 3465, 110 9079. Internet: www.hermitagemuseum.org

Affiliates of the Hermitage:

PETER I’s WINTER PALACE
One of St. Petersburg’s oldest buildings, now part of the Hermitage; in fact, the museum is located underneath the stage of the Hermitage Theatre. The main inner courtyard and some of the ground-floor rooms have been reconstructed: the studio, study, dining-room and lathe-room have survived since Peter’s time. The exhibition features some of his personal belongings. Visits are permitted only with one of the museum’s own excursions, commencing every 30 minutes. Tickets are available from the State Hermitage’s cash desks (32 Dvortsovaya Nab.) Open: Tues-Sat 11.00 a.m. to 4.00 p.m., Sun 11.00 a.m. to 2.30 p.m. 34 Dvortsovaya Nab. T: 311 3465, 110 9763.  Map 

GENERAL STAFF BUILDING
Now part of the State Hermitage. Designed by Karl Rossi and built between 1819 and 1829. The museum features permanent exhibitions: “20th Century French Art” (Pierre Bonnard and Maurice Deni), “Under the Sign of the Eagle. The Art of Empire”. Open Tues-Sun 10.30 a.m. to 5.00 p.m. 6-8 Dvortsovaya Pl. T: 311 3465, 110 9079.  Map 

MENSHIKOV PALACE
The palace, which is a branch of the Hermitage, is a fine example of early 18th century architecture. Built for Alexander Menshikov, St. Petersburg’s first Governor-General. Architects Giuseppe Fontana and Gottfried Schadel. The museum’s display describes Russian history and culture in the first third of the 18th century. Open Tues-Sun 10.30 a.m. to 4.45 p.m. 15 Universitetskaya Nab. T: 323 1112.  Map 

RUSSIAN MUSEUM
The largest museum of Russian art, opened in 1898. It is housed in the Mikhailovsky Palace, built by the architect Rossi. It contains works by great Russian artists: Rublev, Shubin, Kiprensky, Fedotov, Repin, Levitan and many others. Exhibitions: “Years in Russia” by N. Goncharova (until 15 July); “The Traditional Russian Toy” (July-Aug); “Carpets from Turkmenistan in the Russian Museum’s Collection” (from 22 Aug). To mark the 500th anniversary of the paintings in the Cathedral of the Nativity in the Ferapont Monastery: a display of icons by Dionysius and his workshop (from 22 Aug). Open Wed-Mon 10.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m. 4 Inzhenernaya Ul. T: 318 1608, 314 3448. Map: I6. Internet: www.rusmuseum.ru  Map 

Affiliates of Russian MUseum:

MARBLE PALACE
Now a branch of the Russian Museum, the palace was built between 1768 and 1785 by the architect Rinaldi for Count G. Orlov, one of Catherine II’s favourites. There is a permanent exhibition dedicated to European artists of the 18th and the first half of the 19th centuries who lived and worked in Russia, and also an exhibition of modern art from abroad. Open Mon 10.00 a.m. to 4.00 p.m., Wed-Sun 10.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m. 5/1 Millionnaya Ul. T: 312 9196.  Map 

STROGANOV PALACE
Designed by Rastrelli and built between 1725 and 1754; A. Voronikhin worked on the interior in 1790. Now a branch of the Russian Museum, holding temporary exhibitions and featuring a waxworks display entitled “The Imperial Dynasty in Person”. Open daily 11.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m. 17 Nevsky Pr. T: 314 5801.  Map 

MIKHAILOVSKY (OR “ENGINEERS’”) CASTLE
The Mikhailovsky Castle is a branch of the Russian Museum. The museum is closed for restoration until 2003. During this time the museum is hosting series of lectures (T: 313 4691) and staged productions: “The Secrets of the Mikhailovsky Castle” and “The Imperial Mystic”, based on the novels of Dmitry Merezhkovsky. Plays begin at 7.00 p.m. Open (reception) Mon-Fri 10.00 a.m. to 6.00 p.m. 2 Sadovaya Ul. T: 313 4173.  Map 

KUNSTKAMMER
Russia’s first museum, founded in 1714 on Peter I’s order. It contains household items, works of applied art and national costumes from Asia, Africa, North and South America, Australia and Oceania. It includes exhibits collected by the well-known Russian travellers and explorers N. Miklukho-Maklay, P. Kozlov and Y. Lisyansky. An exhibition called Peter I’s Anatomic Collection is permanently on show. There is a historical section - “From the History of Peter’s Kunstkamera”. Opening of a new permanent display - “The Peoples of the Mainland of Southeast Asia” (4 July). Temporary exhibitions: “An Admiral’s Gift (Norwegian Beer Tankard from the collection of K. N. Posyet)”; “Bronze in the Japanese Home” (until end of Aug); “The Amazon Indians through the eyes of G. I. Langsdorf’s expedition (1822-1828)”; “The Kunstkamera’s Anatomical Rarities”. Open Tues-Sun 11.00 a.m. to 4.30 p.m. (except the last Tuesday of each month). 3 Universitetskaya Nab. T: 328 1412, 328 0812.  Map 

MUSEUM OF THE HISTORY OF ST. PETERSBURG
The museum is in the Peter and Paul Fortress. The Peter and Paul Cathedral, designed by Trezzini, contains the burial vaults of Peter I and other Russian emperors. Other parts of the museum are the Neva Wing and the Commandant’s House, where various exhibitions are held. The cells of the Trubetskoy bastion - the main political prison in Tsarist times - are permanently open to visitors. Festival of sand sculpture on the Peter and Paul Fortress beach (2-5 July); third festival of “Contemporary Art in a Traditional Museum” in the Nevsky Curtain (from 6 July). Open daily 11.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m. 10 Peter and Paul Fortress. T: 238 0511. Map: H4. Branches: The Rumyantsev Mansion. 44 Angliyskaya Nab. T: 311 7544. Map: F6. Kirov Flat-Museum. 26/28 Kamennoostrovsky Pr. T: 346 0217. Map: G2. Alexander Blok Flat-Museum. 57 Ul. Dekabristov. T: 113 8627.  Map 

YUSUPOV PALACE
The only mansion of the St. Petersburg nobility with the comfortable fascination created by talented 18th- and 19th-century architects, sculptors and artists from Russia and abroad. It is outstanding not only for its architectural and artistic merits, however, but also for the events that happened there in December 1916, with the murder of Grigory Rasputin. The palace offers guided tours, concerts and other cultural programmes. Open daily noon to 4.00 p.m. 94 Nab. Reki Moiki. T: 314 9883, 314 8893.  Map 

CENTRAL NAVAL MUSEUM
The museum came into existence on Peter I’s orders in 1709, in a building attached to the Admiralty. The museum is dedicated to the history of the Russian navy, which was born in St. Petersburg. It contains over 800.000 exhibits: model ships, banners, armaments, historic documents and much more. Open Wed-Sun 11.00 a.m. to 5.15 p.m. (except the last Thur of each month). 4 Birzhevaya Pl. T: 328 2502.  Map 

ZOOLOGICAL MUSEUM
A rich collection of fauna from every continent and climatic zone, amounting to some 30.000 exhibits. Small collection of live insects. Open Sat-Thur 11.00 a.m. to 4.50 p.m. 1 Universitetskaya Nab. T: 328 0112.  Map 

NABOKOV MUSEUM
Located in the house where the writer was born and grew up and which he never forgot, even after he emigrated. As part of the festival “Contemporary Art in a Traditional Museum”: “A Demonstration of Untanned Parts of the Body” (from 6 July). Open Tues-Sun 11.00 a.m. to 6.00 p.m. 47 Bolshaya Morskaya Ul. T: 315 4713. F: 311 4502.  Map 

YELAGIN ISLAND PALACE-MUSEUM
Formerly the summer residence of Empress Maria Fedorovna, built between 1818 and 1822. The first original work by architect Karl Rossi. The museum includes a tour of the formal rooms of the palace and exhibitions of applied art from the 18th to 20th centuries. The museum stages theatrical tours, including some in costume. Open Wed-Sun 10.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m. 1 Yelagin Island. T: 430 1131, 430 1130.  Map 

THEATRE AND MUSIC ART MUSEUM
A wide selection of material about the history of Russian dramatic art and music is on show in this museum. Chamber concerts are held here. Video lecture-hall. Open Mon, Thur-Sun 11.00 a.m. to 6.00 p.m., Wed 1.00 p.m. to 7.00 p.m. No entry to the museum from 20 minutes before closing. 6 Pl. Ostrovskogo. T: 311 2195.  Map 

MUSEUM OF THE HISTORY OF RELIGION
Founded in 1932, the museum was located in the Kazan Cathedral until 2000. The first display rooms are now open at the museum’s new premises 14 Pochtamtskaya Ul., opposite the Main Post Office (150 metres from St. Isaac’s Square). The display begins with archaic beliefs and the religions of ancient Egypt, Greece and Rome. The rooms devoted to Judaism, early Christianity and the history of the Russian Orthodox Church are particularly fascinating. Open Thur-Tues 11.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m. 14/5 Pochtamtskaya Ul. T: 314 5838, 311 0495 (booking of guided tours).  Map 

THE MUSEUM OF ANNA AKHMATOVA AT FONTANNY DOM
Anna Akhmatova’s memorial rooms and literary museum. Display of painting and graphic art of the 1910-1930s from the Arkhangelsk Museum of Fine Arts and the Vologda Art Gallery (6-18 July). Open Tues-Sun 10.30 a.m. to 6.30 p.m. (except the last Wed of each month), admission till 5.30 p.m. Second entrance from 53 Liteiny Pr. 34 Nab. Reki Fontanki. T: 272 2211. F: 272 2034.  Map 

MUSEUM OF ARTILLERY, ENGINEERS AND SIGNAL CORPS
The museum contains more than 750.000 exhibits: artillery pieces, weapons and firearms, magnificent collection of Russian and Soviet banners, historical and contemporary uniforms, military decorations and applied art, engineering equipment and battle paintings. Current display at the museum - “Gun Legends of the 20th Century” (until the end of summer). There is a unique outdoor exhibition - a collection of heavy artillery from ancient times to the present day. Open Wed-Sun 11.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m. (except the last Thur of each month). 7 Alexandrovsky Park. T: 232 0296  Map 

HISTORY OF GERMANS IN ST. PETERSBURG
The exhibition, dedicated to the 300th anniversary of St. Petersburg, gives an overview on the numerous contributions Germans have made to political, cultural and economic life of St. Petersburg, since 1703. Open daily 1.00 p.m. to 7.00 p.m., Sun noon to 6.00 p.m. 22-24 Nevsky Pr. (St. Peter’s Church). Ò: 318 4096.  Map 

THE CRUISER “AURORA”
A branch of the Central Naval Museum. The ship that fired the blank cartridge, the signal for the storming of the Winter Palace to begin. The display on this unique ship-museum contains 1000 documents and photographs, recounting the ship’s 100-year history. Open Tues-Thur, Sat-Sun 10.30 a.m. to 4.00 p.m. Petrovskaya Nab. T: 230 8440.  Map 

CHURCH OF THE RESURRECTION (SAVIOUR-ON-THE- BLOOD CHURCH)
A monument of Russian architecture and decorative art of the late XIX century - of the beginning XX century, designed by Parland. The cathedral’s unique interior and exterior decoration includes mosaics made from Russian and Italian ornamental stones. The mosaic icons were assembled according to drawings by leading Russian artists of the 19th century - Mikhail Nesterov, Andrey Ryabushkin, Viktor Vasnetsov, Vladimir Belyayev, Nikolay Bruni and others. There is a permanent exhibition “Emperor Alexander II” in the sacristy. Open Fri-Tues 11.00 a.m. to 6.00 p.m. 2a Nab. Kanala Griboyedova. T: 315 1636.  Map 

SUVOROV MUSEUM
Memorial exhibition devoted to the great general-in-chief. The building has undergone ten years of reconstruction and restoration, all conforming precisely to the plans of the architect Gogen. Open Thur-Mon 10.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m. (except the first Monday of each month). 43 Kirochnaya Ul. T: 279 3914.  Map 

ALEXANDER BLOK FLAT-MUSEUM
Restored rooms where Blok lived, featuring his personal belongings. The literary display throws light on his creative career. Open Thur-Mon 11.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m., Tues to 4.00 p.m. Flats 21 & 23, 57 Ul. Dekabristov. T: 113 8631.  Map 

STATE MUSEUM OF RUSSIAN POLITICAL HISTORY
The only St. Petersburg museum that reflects the country’s history as regards the upheavals in society in the 19th and 20th centuries. As part of the festival “Contemporary Art in a Traditional Museum”: “Interpolation” (from 6 July). Open Fri-Wed 10.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m. 2-4 Ul. Kuybysheva. T: 233 7052.  Map 

SHUVALOV PALACE
One of St. Petersburg’s most beautiful buildings. Constructed for Count and Countess Vorontsov in the 18th century in the style of architect Giacomo Quarenghi to a design by Savva Chevakinsky. The mansion has twice changed ownership and undergone reconstruction. Today its sumptuous rooms are the venue for concerts, conferences, exhibitions, seminars and official receptions. It is also the home of the “St. Petersburg Centre for International Co-operation”. 21 Nab. Reki Fontanki. T/F: 313 4539.  Map 

SHEREMETYEV PALACE (FOUNTAIN HOUSE)
18th century architectural monument (architect Savva Chevakinsky), the centre of the family estate of the Counts Sheremetyev. Permanent exhibitions: decorative applied art and fine art owned by the Sheremetyevs and private collections acquired by the museum in the 1990s; the St. Petersburg’s collection of musical instruments (over 3000 exhibits), including memorial instruments and historical rarities. Concerts of choral, orchestral and chamber music are held in the White Hall. Open Wed-Sun noon to 5.00 p.m. (except the last Wednesday of each month). 34 Nab. Reki Fontanki. T: 272 4441, 272 3898.  Map 

RUSSIAN MINISTRY OF TRANSPORT CENTRAL RAILWAY MUSEUM
One of the world's oldest technical museums, founded in 1813. Its vaults contain more than 50.000 exhibits; the current display features models, vehicles and machinery which reflect the development of the Russian railways. Working models and a rich collection of photographs describe the working principles of the machinery and the methods used in railway construction. Open Sun-Thur 11.00 a.m. to 4.30 p.m. (except the last Thur of each month). 50 Sadovaya Ul. T: 315 1476. T/F: 168 8005.  Map 

RUSSIAN ETHNOGRAPHIC MUSEUM
Unique collection reflecting the life and culture of over 150 peoples of Russia. Extensive display of folk costumes, embroidery, materials and furs. The “Special Storeroom” features the traditional adornments of different peoples, weapons and cult objects made of precious metals, pearls, precious and semiprecious stones. Open Tues-Sun 10.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m. (except the last Friday of each month). 4/1 Inzhenernaya Ul. T: 313 4420, 313 4420.  Map 

PRIVATE GRAMOPHONE AND PHONOGRAPH MUSEUM
Established in 1998 and based on the unique collection of former circus artist Vladimir Deryabkin. Features around 100 exhibits, all in working order. The maximum number of people in a group is 5. Advance booking of tours is advisable. Flat 35, 47 Bolshaya Pushkarskaya Ul. (entrance via 32 Kamennoostrovsky Prospekt). T: 346 0951.  Map 

DOSTOYEVSKY LITERARY-MEMORIAL MUSEUM
The museum was opened in 1971, the 150th anniversary of the great author’s birth, in the flat where he spent his last years. The rooms were restored and Dostoyevsky’s personal belongings exhibited. The museum’s literary display describes Dostoyevsky’s work on his famous novels and the events in his personal life that had a bearing on them. As part of the festival “Contemporary Art in a Traditional Museum”: “The Territory of an Echo. A Museum of a Linguistic and Acoustic Environment” (from 6 July). Open Tues-Sun 11.00 a.m. to 5.30 p.m. (except the last Wednesday of each month). 5/2 Kuznechny Pereulok. T: 311 4031. F: 112 0003.  Map 

ALL-RUSSIAN PUSHKIN MUSEUM
The country’s oldest literary museum, originally the Pushkin Museum at the Imperial Alexandrovsky Lyceum (1879). All Pushkin’s personal belongings are kept here. The museum also undertakes educational and research work. The museum has four branches: The Alexander Pushkin Memorial Flat-Museum at 12 Nab. Reki Moyki. T: 311 3531. Map: H5. The Memorial Lycee Museum at 2 Sadovaya Ul. T: 476 6411 (Pushkin). The Alexander Pushkin Dacha-Museum at 2 Pushkinskaya Ul. T: 476 6990 (Pushkin). The Nikolay Nekrasov Memorial Flat-Museum at 36 Liteiny Pr. T: 272 0165. Map: J6. The main literary-monographic display is “Alexander Pushkin - His Life and Work”. Open Wed-Mon 10.30 a.m. to 5.00 p.m. (except the last Friday of each month). 12 Nab. Reki Moyki. T: 314 0007.  Map 

PETER I’S CABIN
The first wooden building in St. Petersburg, built in 1703 and still surviving in its original form. The display features household items and memorial objects from the early 18th century. The painting of the window-jambs and the early 18th century imitation brickwork, discovered in the course of restoration work in the 1970s, are incomparable. Open Wed-Mon (except the last Monday of each month) 10.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m. 6 Petrovskaya Nab. T: 232 4576.  Map 

"ANNA AKHMATOVA. THE SILVER AGE"
This museum describes the lives of Anna Akhmatova, Nikolay Gumilev, their son Lev Gumilev and the Silver age’s poets. The display features personal belongings, books signed by the poets and their iconography, including very rare portraits. Open Mon-Fri 10.00 a.m. to 5.30 p.m. 14 Avtovskaya Ul. T: 185 0442.  Map 

VODKÀ MUSEUM
Private museum, representing vodka as a Russian cultural phenomenon. Learn the whole truth about the national drink which, like any Russian, could serve both God and the Devil. Visitors are told how vodka first came to be drunk in Rus, why it was called vodka and a great deal more new and fascinating information. The pride of the museum is an apparatus for home-made vodka and numerous glasses used by our ancestors. 5 Konnogvardeysky Pr.  Map 

TOY MUSEUM
Consists of only three rooms at present, but all the exhibits are rarities. Rooms featuring industrial, folk and individually made toys. Toy soldiers and cars, board games, cardboard theatres, dolls’ furniture and crockery from Europe, Asia and America and a huge collection of dolls. In short, everything that boys and girls played more than 100 years ago. Temporary exhibition - “The Paper Doll” (June-Aug). Open Tues-Sun 11.00 a.m. to 6.00 p.m. (except the last Tues of each month). 32 Nab. Reki Karpovki. T: 234 4312.  Map 

“TSARSKOYE SELO”
The town of Pushkin, which was called Tsarskoye Selo until 1917, is 24 kilometres south of St. Petersburg. It was the residence of the tsars from the begining of 18th century onwards (from the mid-18th to the early 19th century a palace and park complex were built, including the Catherine and Alexander Parks). The Catherine Palace is one of the best examples of Russian baroque. Permanent exhibitions: “Alexander II and Tsarskoye Selo” and “The Romanov Dynasty at Tsarskoye Selo”. Temporary exhibitions: “Tsarskoye Selo in Bygone Days” in the “Upper Bath” pavilion (until Sept), “The August Atamans of the Cossack Troops” in the “Evening Hall” pavilion (until Sept). 7 Sadovaya Ul., Pushkin. (Train from Vitebsky Station, bus T-20, T-287 from "Moskovskaya" metro station). T: 465 5308.

“PAVLOVSK”
Former residence of Emperor Paul I. Pavlovsk is 27 kilometres south of St. Petersburg. The Palace was built in the classic style by the architect Cameron. The landscaped park features pavilions by Charles Cameron and Viktor Brenna. For 10 years Johann Strauss performed with an orchestra in the building of the Musical Station (burned down during the Second World War), which was built for passengers on Russia’s first railway. 20 Ul. Revolyutsii, Pavlovsk. (Trains from Vitebsk Station and “Kupchino” Metro station, express minibuses Nos. 286 and 299 from “Moskovskaya” Metro station, express minibus No.370 from Pushkin). T: 470 6536.

“PETERHOF”
Peterhof is 30 kilometres to the West of St. Petersburg. The palace and park complex with its unique array of fountains is considered to be one of the most beautiful in the world. The park began to take shape in 1705 during Peter I’s reign. In addition to the Grand Palace, built by the architects I. Braunstein, M. Zemtsov, A. Leblond and B. Rastrelli, the complex also includes the "Monplaisir" and "Marly" Palaces and the Hermitage Pavilion. 2 Razvodnaya Ul., Petrodvorets. (Train and bus K-404 from Baltiysky Station, bus T-224 from "Kirovsky Zavod" metro station.) T: 420 0073, 427 7425.

“GATCHINA”
The town of Gatchina lies 45 km to the south-west of St. Petersburg. It was a gift from Catherine II to her favourite, Count Grigory Orlov, in 1765. The architect Antonio Rinaldi designed a palace for him in the early classicist style between 1766-1781; it was later extended by Viktor Brenna, then rebuilt by R. Kuzmin. The palace and park complex at Gatchina is one of the best examples of 18th century landscape architecture. 1 Krasnoarmeysky Pr., Gatchina. (Train from Baltiysky Station, bus 431-T from “Moskovskaya” Metro Station). T: (271) 13 492. F: (271) 20 270.

“ORANIENBAUM”
The town of Lomonosov is 40 kilometres west of St. Petersburg. Construction of the palace and park complex, built for Peter I’s favourite Alexander Menshikov, commenced in 1707. The large baroque-style palace and the Lower Park were constructed to the design of the architects I-G. Schadel and G-M. Fontane. In the mid-18th century Peter III’s Palace, the Chinese Palace and the Sliding Hill Pavilion were built by the architect A. Rinaldi. 48 Dvortsovy Pr., Lomonosov. (Train and bus T-348 from Baltiysky Station, bus T-300 from “Prospekt Veteranov” metro station). T: 422 3753, 422 8016.

NOVAYA LADOGA LOCAL HISTORY MUSEUM
The museum’s display is constantly being supplemented by objects reflecting the town’s mercantile history. The exhibition describes how Peter I built ships in the area. Part of the display is devoted to Alexander Suvorov, who quartered the Suzdal Regiment near Novaya Ladoga in 1760. 16 Ulitsa Pionerskaya, Novaya Ladoga, Volkhov District. Open 9.00 a.m. to 6.00 p.m. (closed Monday). T: (263) 30 598.

St. Petersburg's first theatre was opened by Peter I's sister Natalya in 1709. The city is famous for its theatres - not only for the companies, but for the beauty of the theatres themselves. From the earliest years of St. Petersburg theatres were built into the Imperial palaces, while the imposing, monumental buildings of the public theatres were erected on the city's squares. St. Petersburg is rightly known as the cultural capital.

The city boasts one of the oldest circuses in the country, opened in 1877. A great contribution to the musical heritage of the city and the country is made by the Shostakovich Philharmonia and the Glinka State Academic Capella.

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