Nevsky Prospect Walk
Along Nevsky Prospekt: From the Hermitage to Anichkov Bridge
Nevsky Prospekt is St. Petersburg's main artery, its calling card and center of cultural life. This route takes you through the most significant places on the avenue — from the majestic Hermitage to the famous Anichkov Bridge with Klodt's horses.
The Hermitage — Treasury of World Art
Begin your route at Palace Square and the Hermitage — one of the world's largest art museums. The collection numbers over three million exhibits: from ancient Egyptian mummies to Impressionist paintings. To view everything, giving each exhibit one minute, would take 11 years!
Even if you don't plan to enter the museum, admire the Winter Palace — a turquoise-and-white Baroque masterpiece by Rastrelli. Russian emperors from Elizabeth to Nicholas II lived here.
Palace Square
Palace Square is a grand architectural ensemble, one of the most beautiful in the world. In the center rises the Alexander Column — a monument to victory over Napoleon. The 600-ton monolith stands only by its own weight, without fasteners. The column with its angel reaches 47.5 meters — the tallest monument from a single stone in the world.
Opposite the Winter Palace is the General Staff Building with its Triumphal Arch, decorated with the Chariot of Glory. This is where Russian Empire parades were held, and in 1917, the square became the arena of revolutionary events.
Nevsky Prospekt — St. Petersburg's Parade Showcase
From the square, walk along Nevsky Prospekt — the city's main street, 4.5 kilometers long. The avenue was laid out under Peter I as a road to the Alexander Nevsky Lavra. Today it's a concentration of architectural masterpieces, shops, restaurants, and theaters.
On your way you'll see:
- Admiralty — the spire with a ship, symbol of Russia's naval glory
- Stroganov Palace — a Baroque mansion with a museum of Russian aristocracy
- Kazan Cathedral — a majestic temple with a colonnade of 96 columns
- Singer House — an Art Nouveau masterpiece, now a bookstore
Kazan Cathedral
Kazan Cathedral, built in 1801-1811 by Voronikhin, is one of Russia's largest temples. Its colonnade of 96 Corinthian columns opens toward Nevsky Prospekt, creating a grand architectural accent. Inside is the miraculous Kazan Icon of the Mother of God — one of Russia's main Orthodox shrines.
Near the cathedral are monuments to commanders of the Patriotic War of 1812 — Kutuzov and Barclay de Tolly. Kutuzov is buried in the cathedral itself.
Singer House and View of the Church on Spilled Blood
Opposite Kazan Cathedral is the famous Singer House, built for the sewing machine company in 1904. The Art Nouveau building with its tower and glass globe became one of Nevsky's symbols. Today it houses the city's largest bookstore. Go up to the top floor cafe — from here you'll have the best view of Kazan Cathedral and Griboyedov Canal.
From here you can see the Church of the Savior on Spilled Blood — be sure to turn toward it. The church was built on the site where Emperor Alexander II was mortally wounded and amazes with mosaics covering over 7,000 square meters.
Russian Museum
The Russian Museum in the Mikhailovsky Palace is the world's largest collection of Russian art. Works from ancient icons to 20th-century avant-garde are presented here:
- "The Last Day of Pompeii" by Karl Bryullov
- "The Ninth Wave" by Ivan Aivazovsky
- "Barge Haulers on the Volga" by Ilya Repin
- "Black Square" by Kazimir Malevich
Anichkov Bridge
End your route at Anichkov Bridge — one of St. Petersburg's most famous bridges. It's decorated with four sculptural groups "Horse Tamers" by Pyotr Klodt. Each sculpture is unique and shows different stages of man taming a horse — from struggle to victory. Legend says Klodt depicted his enemies in the tamers' faces.
Practical Tips
Duration: 4-5 hours walking, with museums — a whole day or two.
Best time: White Nights (late May — early July) for a special atmosphere. Winter is beautiful but cold and gets dark early.
Where to eat: cafe in Singer House (expensive but views are worth it), "Stolovaya №1" (inexpensive, tasty, Soviet canteen atmosphere).
