St. Petersburg is one of the largest cities in
Russia, second only to Moscow. It is also one of the highly populated cities in Russia. It is located conveniently on the Baltic Sea, on the Neva River, making it a federal capital and a crucial part of Russia's port industry. St. Petersburg remains a vital business hub both for Russian companies and other international companies, as well as the cultural center for Russia.
St. Petersburg was established by Peter the Great in 1703, and for two centuries, the city served as the capital city. The history is even better understood by the renowned "Bronze Horseman" statue in the city. This statue attracts many tourists - local and international.
Mariinsky Theatre is one of the representations of cultural setups for St. Petersburg. Here, various forms of art are shown, including opera and ballet hosts. The State Russian Museum, another cultural aspect, showcases numerous Russian artistic works, which range from Kandinsky works of art to iconic Orthodox paintings and drawings.
More displays are found within the Hermitage Museum. The museum features a pervasive collection of antique pieces and unique paintings, which have been displayed beautifully within the Palace Square in the Winter Palace - a stunning baroque made of trimmed gilt designs.
Some of the outstanding religious spots include the famous Savior on Spilled Blood church, which is a Russian Orthodox Church made beautiful from the intricately designed onion domes. This spot remains a top tourist spot in St. Petersburg.
For all shopping needs, ranging from food to clothing, the Nevsky Prospekt is the place to go. It has incredible dining options and areas, as well as numerous stalls and boutiques. This area is linked to the Dumskaya, a famous District area for memorable, vibrant nightlives in St. Petersburg.
Skating and skiing in the beautiful city parks are everyday activities in St. Petersburg, as is any boating activity within the busy canals and on the Neva River.
St. Petersburg enjoys a humid continental climate, bound to be influenced by the Baltic Sea. During summer, from
June to
September, the daytimes are extended long into the night, and visitors carry on with their activities. Most days remain warm, humid, and pleasant.
Winter comes to St. Petersburg from
November to
March, and it is characterized by short days, a low temperature, very chilly nights, as well as frequent snowfall.
The White Nights Festival happens between June and
July when the summer is at the peak, and the daylight hours are so extensive that the nightfall is not experienced. Carnival performances are typical during the white nights, along with intriguing ballet and opera performances. On top of that, top music shows are held as well as dance performances and other forms of entertainment. The Christmas Festival is celebrated on the seventh day of
January, and the Easter holiday is celebrated in
April or
May on varying dates. Both are religious celebrations where Christians have a chance to commemorate their worship with the activities.
In May, there is the Tulip Festival. It is dazzling with beauty with all the color and bloom of the flowers throughout St. Petersburg. Visitors take to picnicking and relaxing in the parks and gardens on most days.