Winter in St. Petersburg

[Gabi]

A city like St. Petersburg also in winter has it’s very special attractions. With my pictures, I would like to give some summer- and winter-impressions:

The Place of Arts:


View over the Newa to the Hermitage:




The opposite view over the Newa to the Peter- and Paul-Fortress, the landmark and origin of the city. A summer impression:




The burial place of Peter I. in the Peter-Paul-Cathedral on the Wassiliy island:



The gala entrance in Peterhof at the Finnish bay:






The great cascade at the seaside in summer:





... and in winter. Yes, I know, it looks a bit pur – nevertheless Peterhof also in winter is in very special manner charming. All over the enormous parks a magical silence is lying. Walking around, to have a view to the several smaller castles, to let the magical idyl accompany you through the past … without masses of men walking around here in summer.


One of these smaller castles is “Mon Plaisir” – situated at the seaside with a far view in the east to St. Peterburg. Usually Peter I. spent his time here, when he resided in Peterhof. The main castle for him only served for official dates. Mon Plaisir is quite simple in comparison to the other castles. Lots of marvellous wood panels … genuine mobilar … no splendor … nearly a civil atmosphere.





... and in the silence of winter ...



Let me invite you to follow me in the next weeks to several highlights in and around St. Petersburg. The Hermitage, Carskoje Selo with Catherine’s Palace, Pawlowsk and a trip to the time before the important Zars, to Novgorod, a river cruise along the Wolga-Eastsea channel to Moscow, with marvellous impressions of lakes and rivers, smaller villages and towns.

Do sswidanja !

Gabi

Copyright pictures and text GD

I went to St. Petersburg in 2001. It was splendid! I loved all of it. Especially the Peterhof (Petrodvorets). No wonder they call it `the russian Versailes`.
It is amazing how Peter the great could afford such luxury and still make Russia such a strong military power!

I wanted to go to St Petersburg for a long time
I think I will be able to make this dream com true very soon!
Do you know when is the best time to visit this wonderful city?
Can I go there in the end of april or may or should I wait till summer?
Also how long do I need to see all the most beautiful places? (I think there are too many)
Any help will be greatly appreciated!

Christoph

[Gabi]

Originally Posted by Christopher

Can I go there in the end of april or may or should I wait till summer?
Also how long do I need to see all the most beautiful places? (I think there are too many)

Christopher,

I've been twice in Saint Pieter, once in summer and last time in winter ... both periods have their special advantages and disadvantages.

In summer, all museums and wonderful places are overcrowded with tourists. The high season is May to September. If you travel in July, you will have the beautiful "white nights". The temperatures are possibly very agreeable, upto 30°C.

In October to May you will much more have the opportunity to have more intensive views in the museums and other locations...imagine f.e. the halls in the Hermitage. In summer you may have hundreds of people inside and nearly no chance to enjoy the total impression.

So, it's up to you, what you personally prefer !

How long should that visit be planned ? That's a very difficult question. During the 2 visits I had, I've seen a lot. But I concentrated on several locations. To really get known to St. Pieter you have to travel several times over there, but for a good impression, I think you should plan:

1 day general sight-seeing
1 day Peterhof
1 day Tsarskoye Selo - St. Catherine Palace and Pavlovsk
1 day Hermitage
1 day Peter-and Paul Fortress / St. Isaak's Cathedral / St. Savior's Church

Not to forget the lots of very interesting State Russian Museum, Museum of Ethnography, Menshnikov Palace, Summer-Palace, the theatres, the modern city.

You see, there is such a lot to be investigated by yourself that it's not possible to give any recommendation of your personnel duration of the travel.

Try to find enough time to satisfy your own desire of knowledge. Try to prepare your visit to St. Pieter with all necessary historical background ... this will make it easier to understand.

I hope that will help you to decide.

Gabi

Hi Gabi!
Thank you a lot for your prompt and very helpful reply! I really apreiciate it!
You have reminded me of a very important thing!
I always wanted to experience a white night but almost forgot about it this time.So can you tell me when is best to go to St Petersburg to see a white night?
I see you say the trip will take at least 5 days.
I know that St Petersburg was build on marsh and is now a very large city on many land patches and islands.
So I want to ask you about transport.Is it a problem in St Petersburg?
What did you use to travel?
Thank you again!

Christoph

[Reinhard]

as Gabi is working on a bigger posting, just let me give you the first infos:

- Coming in by plane is very, very comfortable - if your visa is ok you won't have any problem.
- Local transport is well organized
- don't know where you live so I don't have a comparable town at hand - but: you should know that Pieter is a big museum, very very well refurbished, with a town built nearby.

And to see the White Nights - in summertime the sun doesn't go down Russians say.

To leave space for Gabis comment, thats my little pre-info ...

Reinhard

[Gabi]

Hi Christoph,

the famous "White Nights" begin on 25th of May and end mid of July. The longest night is 21./22. June, which we here in Europe also know as "Midsummer-Night".

How to travel in St. Pieter - not a problem at all. Either you use the metro (to have a look to the phantastic metro stations is an absolutely "must" ) or the busses, which I always prefered. To go by bus has the advantage that you get visual impressions from the city. And quite often you get in contact with the people in the bus. I was surprised how many St. Petersburger speak a little German and English.

If you have any further question, also in the further planning, please don't hesitate to ask....You're any time welcome !

Gabi

[Denis]

Hi, Christopher!

St. Petersburg IS a wonderful city, and the noblest city in Russia!

White nights are an interesting experience. However, you have to be accumstomed to them. If you come from a region where the difference between day and night is considerable, and suddenly you keep meandering around in a usual tourist frenzy, then you have pretty good chance of losing track of the day time and ending up extremely exhausted. Also, the unusually constant daylight is confusing to both your mind and your "internal biological clock". So, you're going to have to deal with the other side of the medal too! So, don't let fascination have a stark impact on your circadian rhythm! Be moderate!

Denis.

ok. i'll be careful with white nights.
But in fact I never get tired on a trip. My excitement gives me extra energy for everything. ;) I feel tired only when I come home.
By the way Gabi. I s there a way to pay once for access to all sites in St Petersburg? In some countries you can buy membership ticket for a national heritage society or historic association and visit all the places for free if you have the membership. This is usualy cheaper than paying for each place every time. So is there such a opportunity?
I appreciate your adivice a lot!
Christoph

[Gabi]

Hi Christoph !

Originally Posted by Christopher

My excitement gives me extra energy for everything. ;) I feel tired only when I come home.

That's like I feel it on my trips

Originally Posted by Christopher

I s there a way to pay once for access to all sites
Christoph

Unfortunately I never heard from such a "ticket" ... and the visits of the locations for tourists are "heavy" ... there are some travel organisations, which offer 5-7 days programms including all these mentioned locations, incl. flight and accomodation. As there are several here in Germany, surely in other countries those travel agencies should also exist. A 4-days package f.e. (Hermitage, Peterhof, Catherine's Palace, Pavlovsk, Peter-and Paul-Fortress, general sightseeing) should be around € 140.-- .
Maybe for a first view to St. Pieter not too bad...

Anyhow, feel free to ask whatever ...

Gabi