Fact Sheets & Video - St Petersburg

Peter the Great had a vision. He wanted to create a new capital for Russia - 'a Window on the West'. In reality his chosen spot was actually a giant swamp.

However, St Petersburg today is arguably one of the most beautiful cities in the world and the cultural capital of this vast country. It's here that you'll experience Russian romance at its best.

St Petersburg Attractions

• * This fortress is located on Zayachy Island and contains a number of buildings.

• * Built in 1703, The Peter and Paul Fortress is the oldest building in St Petersburg.

• * Peter the Great built it as a defence against the Swedes but defeated them before it was finished.

• * The Palace Square is the city's main square and serves as an excellent example of how different architectural styles can be combined. On the northern side of the square stands the picturesque Baroque Winter Palace

• * Nevsky Prospekt is St. Petersburg's main avenue and one of the best-known streets in Russia.

• * Located on Nevsky Prospekt you cannot fail to notice the impressive Cathedral of Our Lady of Kazan.

• * This Cathedral was constructed between 1801 and 1811 by the architect Andrei Voronikhin, and was built to an enormous scale and boasts an impressive stone colonnade, encircling a small garden and central fountain.

• * An enormous statue of Catherine the Great can be seen at Ploshchad Ostrovskogo (Square). The statue is surrounded by so called close associates of whom at least three of these were her known lovers: Orlov, Potyomkin and Suvorov.

The Winter Palace / Hermitage Museum

• * This green and white three storey Baroque style palace is located on the banks of the Neva River. Also known to tourists as the main building of the Hermitage Museum, it has 1,786 doors, 1,945 windows and 1,057 elegantly and lavishly decorated halls and rooms, many of which are open to the public.

• * The Winter Palace was built between 1754 and 1762 for Empress Elizabeth, the daughter of Peter the Great. Unfortunately, Elizabeth died before the palace's completion and only Catherine the Great and her successors were able to enjoy the sumptuous interiors of Elizabeth's home.

• * The Hermitage was started in the 18th century as a private collection for Empress Catherine II (later known as Catherine The Great) and in the 20th century it became one of the largest museums in the world.

• * The Hermitage contains more than three million items and presents the development of world culture and art from the Stone Age to the 20th century.

• * Experts say if you were to spend a minute looking at each exhibit on display in the Hermitage, you would need 11 years before you'd seen them all!

• * Art is displayed on all three floors of the Winter Palace, the two main floors of the Little and Large Hermitage and others in various sections of the buildings.

• * To give you an idea of how big we're talking The Winter Palace has 1057 rooms and 117 staircases alone!

• * Main attractions in the Hermitage include works by Leonardo Da Vinci, Raphael, Cezanne, Renoir, Michaelangelo, Titian, Van Gogh, Monet, Matisse and thousands more!

FURTHER INFORMATION

Thai Airways International Return to Moscow from $1720 ex west coast. $1822 ex east coast. Price includes taxes. Subject to fluctuation. Conditions apply. Prices correct at 28/9/06.

Grand St Petersburg 5 day tour from $1519 a person. Based on twin share. Price includes taxes. Subject to fluctuation.

Conditions apply. Includes accommodation, excursions & transfers. Prices correct at 6/11/06.

MyPlanet - PH: (02) 9020 5800