St. Isaac's Cathedral |
including the family of the last Russian Tsar Nicholas II can be seen in the Peter and Paul Cathedral. Those interested in political history of Russia, can see the cells of the political prison as the fortress begins to function as such very soon after its foundation. A beautiful panoramic view of the magnificent buildings on the Neva River opens from the walls of the fortress, which can be climbed here.
the museum exhibition tells the visitors the secret of the preparation and elevation of the 114-ton monolith granite columns that decorate the cathedral from the outside, and shows the ground-breaking design of the dome of the cathedral. The dome, however, can also be climbed. Ones who climb the 267 steps of the St. Isaac's Cathedral are rewarded with a unique panorama that opens from its cupola onto the city centre.| Back to the top | Back to the list of all offered tours |
Church of the Resurrection (Church on the Spilled Blood, Church of Our Saviour-on-the-Blood)
The Church of the Resurrection at Griboyedov-Canal immediately catches one’s attention with its colourful enamelled domes that rise to the height of a 16-story building over the city centre of St. Petersburg. Erected in the ancient Russian church architecture style from the 16th and 17th century, the Church on the Spilled Blood is the true embodiment of Russian culture in St. Petersburg, a city that has a decidedly European character. As the unofficial name "Church of the Saviour-on-the-Blood" stresses, the Church of the Resurrection arose where blood was spilled, the blood of the Tsar Alexander II, who became a victim of a deadly terrorist attack on the exact spot where the Church was erected later. The Church on the Spilled Blood encloses the exact location of the tragic event and presents to the people the old original stones of the street 
and railings of the canal, on which the blood of the Tsar was sprayed. With 7065 square mosaics that decorate the church interiors and exteriors and depict the life, miracles, passions and resurrection of the Christ, the Church of the Resurrection is not only a monument of Russian history but also one of the world's best museums of mosaic art.
This guided tour takes about 1 hour to complete; this excursion goes well with the City Tour and the Russian Museum tour or a Boat Trip.
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Alexander Nevsky Monastery and Museum Celebrities' Cemeteries
The Alexander Nevsky Monastery belongs to the oldest architectural ensembles of St. Petersburg and was begun in 1710 under Peter the Great, the founder of the city. The construction works lasted throughout the 18th century to only be essentially completed in 1790, therefore, buildings of different architectural styles can be found on the territory of the monastery. The main cathedral of the monastery was erected in classical style and is dedicated to the Holy Trinity. The remains of Alexander Nevsky, the saint patron of St. Petersburg, are kept here. The Alexander Nevsky Monastery is an active monastery; here is the seat of the Metropolitan bishop of St. Petersburg. There are three cemeteries to the monastery, where many famous personalities are buried. On the Tikhvin cemetery, for example, are the graves of the writers Dostoyevsky and Zhukovsky, the composers Glinka, Mussorgsky, Tchaikovsky, Borodin, Rimsky-Korsakov and Rubinstein, the ballet master Petipa, etc. The skilfully executed tombs of the cemeteries belong to the Museum of City Sculpture.
This tour includes the guided tour through the territory of the monastery and its cemeteries and the independent interior tour of the Holy Trinity Cathedral, in which no guided tours are allowed, and takes about 1.5 hours. This excursion goes well with the Metro Tour and the Russian Museum tour or can be included into a City Tour.
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Ancient Russian Church Architecture in Novgorod
The ancient Russian church architecture can not be found in St. Petersburg. Still it is possible for the guests of St. Petersburg to explore it in a day trip to one of the oldest cities in Russia, His Majesty Lord Novgorod the Great, with the 1050 built St. Sophia Cathedral (see picture) in the Novgorod Kremlin and Yuryew Monastery on the Lake Illmen.
Please click here for more details on the City of Novgorod tour.
The trip to Novgorod takes about 11-12 hours. You will be picked up from the hotel at 8am by the driver with a car, minivan or bus depending on the number of guests. Around 11am you will reach the City of Novgorod, where you will be greeted and guided by your personal tour guide from Novgorod. At around 4-5pm you will go back to St. Petersburg to arrive there at around 7-9pm.
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