Your visits to St Petersburg, advices and pictures

[BobG]

When I was in St Petersburg in 2002, I was able to take pictures in all the palaces that were open to the public.  I don't remember any restriction on using flash even in the Hermitage, which surprised me.

One thing I learned late in my visit was that almost every building can be viewed if you knock and ask to look around and maybe even tip the conceirge.  For example, the Stieglitz Museum of  Decorative Arts was closed during my visit, but I asked at the gift shop (which had remained open) and received a private tour (in Russian, but with a couple from Finland who could translate).  At the House of Architects (52 Bolshaya Morskaya Street) the former home of Aleeksandr Polovtsov, an elderly lady caretaker took me from room to room unlocking doors with very old keys so that I could view and photograph the rooms (we communicated in sign language as neither understood each others language).  I wilshed I had tried this at GD Alexei's empty palace that I had walked by earlier in the week.  I'm convinced someone would have taken me through.  At the Anichkov Palace (which is now a Children's center), I asked at the front desk and a lovely lady, who in this case did speak English, took me through the palace and showed me most rooms, except those being used by a chess tournament that was being held there.

I wished I had tried to do this in more of the palaces and buildings that weren't open to the public.  I would think in November when the city is even less overwhelmed with tourists, you might get an even more positive response if you try "knocking on doors."

I found Katya Galitzine's St. Petersburg: The Hidden Interiors to be my best guide for what buildings I tried to visit and see.  She even includes a map with their locations.

BobG

[rgt9w]

Answering an earlier question about getting to the palaces, I took the train to town Tsarskoye Selo and to the town of Pavlovsk. I took a little group shuttle for a few roubles to the Park at Tsarskoye Selo as it was a bit of a walk and I had limited time. However, I was able to walk to Pavlovsk via the Park entrance near the train station. I navigated through the metro system to the Vitebsk Railway Station to get the train. Just be aware most of the signs on the transport system are in cyrillic, but I found people willing to help when I needed it. I found the adventure very interesting. St. Petersburg has a very nice metro system and the train ride was a good way to see the countryside. Also I was able to take a look around the Vitebsk Station where the Imperial Family had their own waiting room for the train.

Unless the have changed the sign since I was there, the train sign on the platform for the town of Tsarskoye Selo still had the former communist name of Detskoye Selo.

[helenazar]

Some of the palaces/castles I encountered in Germany didn't allow me to film/photograph inside them.  Is that the case for these palaces? 

In Russia, you can do anything - for a price ;-). But seriously, they do charge you and extra fee, and you can snap away!

[helenazar]

Answering an earlier question about getting to the palaces, I took the train to town Tsarskoye Selo and to the town of Pavlovsk.

The last time I was in Russia, I stayed in Pushkin and I actually walked to Pavlovsk via Pushkin-Pavlovsk "shosse" (basically a road)... It wasn't that far, I think it took me less than an hour to walk there. I think I took a one of those group shuttles back.

[russiameg]

Hello everyone,

I'm a new user on the forum, although I've been familiar with the Alexander Palace Time Machine for years.

Last summer I had the opportunity to visit Russia with a humanities and fine arts institute through the university that I'm attending.  I wanted to share the photos that I took while in Russia with all of you.

Our first full day in Petersburg, we took a bus tour of the city.  This album includes photographs from the Peter and Paul Fortress and Cathedral, amongst other notable sites in Petersburg:
June 5, 2007 - Bus Tour of Petersburg

On our second day we took a walking tour of Petersburg - we were staying on Kazanskaya Ulitsa, the same street as the Kazan Cathedral in Petersburg.  The tour took us to the Winter Palace/Hermitage.
June 6, 2007 - Walking Tour to Palace Square

On June 8, we had a guided tour of the Hermitage with a Russian professor of art history.  Pictures of the interior of the Winter Palace (the parts we were able to see) and of the artwork within.
June 8, 2007 - The Hermitage Museum

On June 10, we went to the town of Pskov, which of course has been so influential in Russian history! We toured the Pskov Kremlin.
June 10, 2007 - Pskov

The 11th was spent in Puskinskie Gory, touring sites influential in the life of Alexander Pushkin.
June 11, 2007 - Puskinskie Gory

On the 12th we went to Izborsk, an ancient fortress, and Pechora, an old Russian monastery.
June 12, 2007 - Izborsk and Pechora

The fourteenth was spent at St. Isaac's in Petersburg. I apologize that so many of the photos are blurry - the walk up to the top of the cathedral left me with shaky hands that day.
June 14 - St. Isaac's Cathedral

We next visited Oreshek and Old Ladoga.
June 16, 2007 - Oreshek and Old Ladoga

The 22nd we returned for a second tour of the Hermitage, including the treasure room where we saw some of Alexandra's Faberge items, and the Faberge miniature of the Imperial regalia.  Unfortunately photographs are not allowed in that area, but we did see more of the palace and exhibits.
June 22, 2007 - The Hermitage

Some photographs snapped in the Russian Museum.
June 25, 2007 - The Russian Museum

We took a boat tour of Petersburg as well.
June 27, 2007 - Boat Tour of Petersburg

We also had the chance to visit Moscow for a weekend, and to take photographs at the Kremlin.
June 29-July 1, 2007 - Moscow

Spas-na-Krovi was newly opened when I was in Petersburg, and I had the opportunity to take photos there as well.
July 2, 2007 - Spas-na-Krovi

The fourth of July was a holiday for us, so our Russian organizer took us to Peterhof to celebrate.
July 4, 2007 - Peterhof

Vyborg, Russia was also on our list of historical places to see.
July 7, 2007 - Vyborg

Our final outing was to Gatchina.  Sadly we were not able to take photographs within the palace, which is still under restoration, but I was able to take many photos in the gardens and of the outer facades of the palace.
July 8, 2007 - Gatchina

I hope some of these photos are of interest to at least a few of you. If I get a chance to return to Russia, I will be touring more of the palaces - we never were able to go to Tsarskoe Selo, Pavlovsk, and some of the other locations I was desperate to see.

[Kliutchevsky]

Nice Photos Russiameg  I have an account in Photobucket too and  I copied some of your photos, was taken by you?  good photographer. I´d like to viisit Russia sometime!!!

[russiameg]

Yes, I did take the photos. I just took a small digital camera with me, and downloaded the photographs onto an old laptop every night. I am glad you enjoyed them.

[Victor]

russiameg thanks for posting the lovely pictures of your trip.Makes me want to visit more than ever.Looks like you had a busy time in Russia and covered a lot of territory.You found St.Petersburg a 'walkable' city?

[Cathy]

russiameg - your pictures are lovely. How did you get to Vyborg? A tour bus as a group or by train?
Victor - St. Petersburg is a very "walkable" city if you go to the main attractions in the heart of the city. We walked for miles except for the times that we had friends taking us on the trams or mini buses (which are wonderful) and there is a great metro (subway) system that takes you almost anywhere.
My goal on my last trip was to walk the stairs to the top of St. Issac's so I trained last winter by walking up/down my stairs at home 17 times every day. We walked approx. 3 hours taking pictures the morning I went to St. Issac's but I managed to climb to the top without stopping. I was so proud of myself and the view from the top was glorious.

[sergueibxl]

this will be my first message on the blog....I hope I will be read!

I went to Russia, and to St Petersburg last November 2008. Since I can read and speak Russian a bit, I always managed to visit any place on my own, escaping groups or official visits. You simply wave at any person approaching you (a guide, for instance), and they inderstand....and let you go independantly!

Even if you don't speak Russian, I think you just wave politely and say thank you....and off you go.

Have a nice visit!

[lopo16]

in St Petersburg this year came across a building very close to the Winter palace.    It is a two storey building with ramps leading up to a portico.  The portico has about 4 columns, each adorned with large statues of Atlas or some similar strong man.  There were a lot of people around the building, so I wondered if it was a gallery or college.   Can anyone help me with the name of this building.    Thanks

[Belochka]

in St Petersburg this year came across a building very close to the Winter palace.    It is a two storey building with ramps leading up to a portico.  The portico has about 4 columns, each adorned with large statues of Atlas or some similar strong man.  There were a lot of people around the building, so I wondered if it was a gallery or college.   Can anyone help me with the name of this building.    Thanks

Its the portico of the New Hermitage. Aren't those giant statues wonderful!

Margarita

[lopo16]

thanks Margerita - you have made my day

[Cathy]

It is amazing really but most places allow photography although "No Flash" is the norm. And many palaces have an additional charge for photography but it is quite cheep.
When I say amazing - one can get very close to all the historical furniture, very old pictures, clothes etc. to take pictures. And I think that the Hermitage is the most open of all. One walks around in shoes on beautiful wooden floors and one can touch (but really should not) so many things!!