Explore More - 2017

ST. PETERSBURG Peter the

ST. PETERSBURG Peter the Great’s city is a living, breathing museum of incredible architecture and imperial majesty, where tales of revolution and mystery can be found around every corner. Founded in 1703 by Tsar Peter the Great, St. Petersburg is a young city in comparison to its European and even Russian counterparts. Despite this, it has built up a thrilling story as a center of intrigue, revolution and mystery. The first of Russia’s many revolutions was the Decembrist Revolt of 1825, following the sudden death of Tsar Alexander I. From 1825 onward, St. Petersburg experienced a flourishing of the arts known as the Golden Age of Russian culture, inspiring such writers as Pushkin and Dostoyevsky. Rapid industrialization ensued in the second half of the 19th century as peasants poured into the city in search of work after Tsar Alexander II abolished serfdom. Following more revolution in 1905, another wave of cultural successes began, until Russia entered World War I in 1914 and St. Petersburg was renamed Petrograd. In 1917 Tsar Nicholas II and his family were murdered by the Bolsheviks. Civil war raged across the country until Stalin crushed the rebels and took control. A harsh Soviet period followed; the revival of the city began only in 1991, when voters elected to restore the original name of St. Petersburg. Must-sees Whether you choose to visit in the midst of a romantic Top-bottom: St. Nicholas Cathedral, Griboedova Canal, St. Petersburg; the swirling onion domes of the Church of Our Saviour on Spilled Blood. and snowy Russian winter or during the long and summer months, you will be spellbound by its beauty and culture. St. Petersburg is known as the “City of 300 Bridges.” Peter the Great invited architects 118 VIKINGCRUISES.COM | EXPLORE MORE 2017

CITY GUIDE and engineers from all over Europe to build him a new, incredible Western capital. First to be built was the Peter and Paul Fortress on Zayachy Island; see its gold-spired cathedral with the world’s tallest Orthodox bell tower. Next up is glittering Peterhof Palace, created on the Gulf of Finland to rival the Palace of Versailles and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. In the middle of the 18th century, Peter’s daughter Elizabeth commissioned the baroque Winter Palace, situated on the Neva River that flows through the heart of the capital. She was also responsible for Catherine Palace at Tsarskoe Selo. She was followed by Catherine the Great, who founded the Hermitage in 1764. Make sure you visit St. Isaac’s Cathedral to gaze up at its colossal dome. Along the Neva sits the Russian museum-warship Aurora, which signaled the start of the October Revolution Left-right, from above: the Peter and Paul Fortress; the Hermitage Museum. in 1917 with a shot fired from its guns. And possibly the sight most synonymous with St. Petersburg is the Church of Our Saviour on Spilled Blood, with its colorful and swirling decorative onion domes. Shopping Head to the Kuznechy Market, where at the main entrance old ladies in Russian shawls sell woolen socks. Inside, Russian specialties such as caviar and cheeses are arranged in neat aisles waiting to be snapped up. For high-quality caviar, Yeliseev’s Food Hall is the goto for Russian gourmands. Eating Discard dated stereotypes of flavorless but filling Soviet dishes, and look forward to a range of luxurious establishments fit for a tsar, as well as delightful cafés serving tasty traditional food. Quite possibly the best in Russia, the restaurant at the Grand Hotel Europe offers diners a distinct atmosphere, as well as an amazing Art Nouveau interior, a marvelous menu and classical music performances. A chain of pie cafés known as Stolle exemplify the city’s new and relaxed approach to authentic Russian cooking. Don’t leave without indulging in a good beef stroganoff. Go online: Watch a video of the Waterways of the Tsars cruise at vikingcruises.com EXPLORE MORE 2017 | VIKINGCRUISES.COM 119