There's nowhere like St.Petersburg

1. Dotted with splendid palaces, bridges, metro stations, and shops, Nevsky prospekt is a 4km avenue stretching from the Admiralty to ploschad Aleksandra Nevskogo. A stroll along the west end of Nevsky prospect, from the Admiralty to Moscow station, is one reason for visiting the city. Don't miss the polluted colonnaded Kazan Cathedral, the Gostiny Dvor department store, the park with the huge statue of Catherine the Great on ploschad Ostrovskogo, the Anichkov bridge over the Fontanka river, and the splendid Beloselsky-Belozersky palace.

2. Vast Dvortsovaya ploschad is flanked from the river side by the green, white, and gold Winter Palace, a former residence of Tsars and now occupied by one of the world's greatest art museums. Called The Hermitage, it houses an enormous collection of famous paintings by Flemish, Dutch, and Italian schools, plus classical marble sculptures, tapestries, icons, ceramics, and more. To get acquainted with major highlights, it is necessary to reserve one full day.

3. The multi-domed Church of the Resurrection along the Griboedova Canal is not to be missed. A short distance south on ploschad Iskusstv, the splendid building of the Russian museum houses numerous fine collections of Russian art.

Quick Tips:

1. All visitors require a visa to visit Russia. The simplest form of visa is a tourist visa, for which pre-booked accommodation for every night you'll spend in the country is required.

2. On arrival, visitors are handed a declaration form (deklaratsia) on which they are required to list cash, credit cards, and valuables. This is stamped and given back. On leaving, a similar declaration form must be filled with what you're taking out. Both must be returned to customs just before departing.

3. There are numerous exchange offices along Nevsky prospekt and inside major hotels. However, make sure that your US dollars are in pristine condition, since worn out notes will be refused. All foreign currency, US dollars included, is subjected to scrutinous methods for detecting counterfeit notes.

4. Tickets for entry to museums and theatres are much more expensive for tourists than for Russians. There's nothing you can do. You have to pay the tourist price.

5. When in St. Petersburg, avoid drinking tap water. Buy bottled water, which is both good and cheap.

6. Petty theft and pick-pocketing are rife in tourist areas, so take the usual precautions along crowded streets and metro stations.

Best Way To Get Around:

1. You'll probably arrive at Pulkovo II international airport. From here, avoid taking a taxi from the taxi stand to the city centre. It's better to make contact with a reliable taxi company beforehand through the Internet. If you're not carrying heavy luggage, you can use public transport. Bus no. 13 runs from the airport to Moskovskaya metro station, from where the metro goes to Gostiny Dvor station, right on Nevsky prospekt.

2. Public transport is cheap, reliable, and quick. Buy a 15-day pass suitable for metros, trams, and buses within the city limits. The pass consists of a magnetic strip card for metros, plus a ticket for trams and buses. To enter a metro station, the metro card has to be inserted in the card-reading turnstile, and conductors regularly check tickets on trams and buses.

3. For Petrodvorets, take a suburban train from Baltic station to Novy Petrodvorets (40 minutes) and then continue by bus (10 minutes) to the fifth stop, which is close to the park. For Pushkin Park, take a suburban train from Vitebsky station to Detskoe selo station (30 minutes), from where buses leave for Pushkin (5 minutes).

Located on Nevsky prospekt corner with Vladimirsky prospekt, Hotel Radisson is a 5-star luxury hotel that caters mostly for high-class tourists and businessmen. A taxi from the airport to the hotel takes less than 30 minutes. The nearest metro station is Mayakovskaya located about 400 metres east of the hotel. Bus 1 and Bus 22 both ply along Nevsky prospekt with a stop right in front of Hotel Radisson's main entrance.

This 164-room hotel occupies a neoclassical building which was renovated in 2001 after being taken over by the Radisson chain. No expense was spared in restoring the building, which was opened with much fanfare in July 2001. Even before getting inside, you are greeted by the friendly porter who carries your luggage to the lobby. Elegant and magnificent, this extravagant lobby houses the reception on the left and the top-class café-bar Cannelle on the right. The helpful receptionists speak perfect English. Hand in your passport and visa for registration purposes; they will be returned to your room in a couple of hours.

The rooms of most luxury hotels in Russia are categorised as lux, half-lux, classical standard, classical improved and business-class. Radisson's classical standard rooms are the cheapest at US$300 while the lux go for US$450. There are also a couple of royal suites each costing US$1,500. These prices will be much cheaper if you book ahead through an agent in your country. Whichever room you choose however, you can be sure that it comes with luxury furniture and furnishings and all modern amenities. Minibar, satellite television with American and European channels, telephone with automatic wake-up call and air-conditioning are available in all rooms. The top-class clean bathrooms are equipped with both bath and shower. Hot water with automatic temperature control, body soap, shampoo, shower caps and clean towels are available daily.

On the ground floor, besides the lobby and the Cannelle café-bar, there is a state-of-the-art glass-roofed lounge where you can relax and read a paper from the range of English, German and American papers available. On one side of the lounge, an exchange office opens around the clock while the other side is entirely occupied by the huge Barbazan restaurant. Offering a vast menu of traditional Russian and Mediterranean cuisine, this restaurant is one of the best in St. Petersburg. Intimate, romantic and with live music daily, this is the place to be if you want to enjoy an exquisite evening of top-class dining. The included breakfast served in the Barbazan restaurant between 8am and 11am is a veritable experience of exquisite buffet food, hot dishes and culinary delights. Choose from fresh fruit, salmon fillets, hot salmon steak, caviar, hot meat dishes, plain salads, cheese salads, biscuits, cakes, apple pies and more, much more.

Hotel Radisson's excellent location, intimate atmosphere and efficient service are equally appealing. Add to these the exquisite Barbazan restaurant and the cosy café-bar Cannelle and you will understand why in just 3 years, Radisson St.Petersburg has succeeded in gaining a reputation for excellence.

Favourite is the restaurant you should head for after a day of sightseeing and walking along the avenues and paths of Petrodvorets park and gardens. From Sankt Peterburgsky prospekt, the main road that borders the upper garden of the park-palace complex, take a bus that continues further west to Lomonosov (formerly called Oranienbaum). Sankt Peterburgsky prospekt opens into Sankt Peterburgskoe shosse and turns north towards the coast. Get off at the first stop after the bend and you'll soon see the restaurant-bar Favourite on your left.

Half hidden by century-old trees and bushes, it is located within a picturesque area of the Znamenka country estate, formerly belonging to Alexander Danilovitch Menshikov, the favourite friend of Peter the Great. This restaurant is the eating place of the 60 room Hotel Favourite. The old red cottage-like building that houses the hotel was restored some years ago and now looks wonderful. While preserving the traditional countryside atmosphere prevalent in the area, the hotel has comfortable rooms with all modern amenities. The restaurant itself was given a facelift and now boasts a splendid bar that offers a large variety of local and imported drinks.

The restaurant menu has two sections. One section is devoted to European food, mostly grilled meat dishes, seafood and vegetarian salads. No Italian food is available; so don't look for pasta or pizza. The other section which lists a long range of Russian dishes is where Restaurant Favourite excels. Their tasty 'Our Russian Favourite' is a generous dish of chicken fillets stuffed with paprika, bacon and fruit. Even better and more Russian is their Tolstoy-style Nezhenka pancakes ringed with large slices of salted salmon and grilled potatoes. If you are after fish, their tasty cod Russian-style presented with sour cabbage and salted cucumbers is to die for. For a lighter meal, choose a dish from their long list of unusual soups. Try their Ukha monastery-style, a thick fish soup with noodles or their Shuvalov exclusive delicacy, a white crayfish soup with chicken quenelles and truffles.

Restaurant Favourite has a vast wine cellar from which you can choose your bottle of local or imported wine. Imported brands from France, Italy and Spain are expensive; not so expensive and yet as good are the superb wines from Georgia costing about US$10 a bottle. Restaurant Favourite has six types of imported beer on draught and 15 brands of bottled beer. Carlsberg and Pilsner are two of the brands available. Or why don't you taste the traditional Russian kvass, a light alcoholic drink with a delicious taste of carob juice? End up your meal with an appetising dessert and a cup of frothy cappuccino. Choose Favourite's 'Duo' gateau, two huge slices of white and dark chocolate cake topped with fresh raspberry sauce.

The good traditional food served in a serene and cosy ambience is the restaurant's best asset. Add to this the excellent service and the friendly staff and you will understand why Restaurant Favourite attracts crowds of visitors.

The ambience inside Restaurant La Strada is typical of a medium-sized eatery in Florence. Constructed to represent an Italian side street, this restaurant has a splendid dome-like glass ceiling through which natural light penetrates and reaches all corners. To add to the atmosphere, a stairway leads from the ground floor to a surrounding Italian-style balcony. The ground floor passage between table rows is decorated with street lamps standing on wrought iron poles, typical of an Italian piazza. The well-manicured trees on the sides and the paintings on the walls representing village house doors add to the Italian ambience.

This restaurant has a very good location, just a couple of minutes away from the west end of Nevsky prospekt. Line 3 of the metro stops at Nevsky prospekt station located a stone's throw away from the Griboedova canal. From here, walk west for about 100 metres until you reach Bolshaya Konyushennaya ulitsa on your right. Walk along this street for about 50 metres. Restaurant La Strada is on your left. Alternatively, you can take Bus 1 or Bus 22 from any stop on Nevsky prospekt and stop in front of Kazan Cathedral.

The menu is mostly based on Italian food but a good selection of cheese and meat dishes are also available. Their buffet salad bar presents an extensive assortment of plain, cheese and tuna salads. However, it is where Italian fare is concerned that La Strada excels. The menu lists a good range of delicious Italian soups, more than 20 different types of pizza and a vast selection of pasta and risotto dishes. Try their mouth-watering aubergine soup or their delicious vegetarian lasagne with spinach, herbs and ricotta. Or why don't you taste their ravioli stuffed with peppered cheese and served with tomato sauce? The authentic pizza served at La Strada is definitely first-class. Prepared by an Italian pizzaiolo in full view of customers and baked in an open wood oven, it is one of the best you can find in St.Petersburg. Try their pizza marinara, topped with a rich selection of unusual seafood or pizza La Strada, topped with salmon steak, aubergines and green pepper.

Restaurant La Strada has a good selection of fine wines, mostly imported from Italy. They aren't cheap however; a bottle of Chardonnay Trentino costs more than US$15. Popular brands of beer such as Pilsner and Carlsberg are also available on tap and cost about US$4 per litre. Finish off your meal with a slice of chocolate gateaux or an Italian-style fruit ice-cream.

Restaurant La Strada can be booked for special private parties such as children's birthdays or wedding anniversaries. When such private functions are on, you can still dine here.

It opens daily from noon until the last customer leaves.

Magnificent architectural styles, priceless artistic treasures, huge halls displaying the best collections of paintings in Europe and a variety and wealth of artistic decorations contribute in making the State Hermitage museum one of the world's top attractions. More than three million visitors a year wander inside its vast interior which consists of five adjoining palaces, the largest being the Winter palace, built by architect F.Rastrelli between 1756 and 1762 as an official royal residence for the Russian Imperial family. Both the Little Hermitage and the Old Hermitage were built for Catherine the Great to hold numerous artistic works and paintings which she added to the huge art collection started by Peter the Great. The classic Hermitage Theatre was built by architect Giacomo Quarenghi in 1780 while the New Hermitage was built by architect Leo von Klenze for Nicholas I to house the still-growing collection of artistic works.

Overlooking the junction of the Bolshaya Neva and the Malaya Neva where wide Dvortsovy bridge joins the administrative and business centre to Vasilevsky Island, the Hermitage complex occupies a huge distinct block on one side of Dvortsovaya ploschad, the big square whose centre is dominated by the 47.5 metres high Alexander column constructed to commemorate the 1812 victory over Napoleon. Walk towards the chariot-topped arches on the opposite side to take photos of the majestic exterior of the Hermitage adorned with symmetrical columns, intricately framed windows and numerous statues. For a better view and more rewarding photos, walk over Dvortsovy bridge towards the red Rostral columns. From here, the whole Hermitage complex backdropped by the huge golden dome of St.Isaac's Cathedral appears even more beautiful.

Entry to the Hermitage is through the main door on Dvortsovaya naberezhnaya on the river side. The complex opens daily (except Monday) at 10:30am and closes at 5pm. If you take a tour, you'll enter as soon as the door opens but individual visitors must join the queue towards the ticket office. If you intend to take photographs or videos of the exhibits (no flash, however), buy a relevant ticket; don't ever think you'll be able to cheat since each room is guarded by staring babushkas who seem to be overzealous in watching what you're doing. Once you're inside, hand in your backpack before making your way to the exhibits.

Numerous rooms on the first floor are taken over by prehistoric exhibits from Paleolithic and Neolithic times and the Bronze Age. A couple of rooms hold a fine collection of Egyptian antiquities and Roman marble while about 30 rooms are devoted to classical Greek culture, ceramics, marble and sculptures. More rooms house various collections of artifacts related to Etruscan civilisation.

The highlight of the Hermitage is without doubt the second floor where visitors are shown through the state rooms and reception halls of the Winter palace which are themselves venues for exhibitions of priceless paintings, European tapestries and fine antique porcelain. The Malachite Room for example, boasts a gilded ornate ceiling resting on numerous green malachite columns which together with the gilded doors and the furnishings give an impression of stateliness and grandeur. More stately and impressive is the white, red and gold Memorial Hall of Peter the Great which was restored after a fire in 1837. Also redesigned and restored in 1837 is the Great Throne Room, a huge white and gold colonnaded structure decorated with rows of chandeliers of great beauty.

If you continue on the second floor towards the Little Hermitage, you'll reach the Pavilion Hall, another white and gold room decorated with Roman and Florentine 18th-century floor mosaic, majestic chandeliers and splendid galleries. The amazing gilded Peacock clock, enclosed inside a large glass case adorns one side of the room. The Old Hermitage's second floor is mostly dedicated to West European paintings and sculptures. Rooms 244 to 247 display a good range of paintings by Van Dyck and Rubens while Rooms 228 to 238 are mostly devoted to Italian art, exhibiting numerous paintings by Raphael, Caravaggio and Canaletto. Don't miss Room 254 which displays several works by Rembrandt and his school and Room 214 which displays two impressive paintings by Leonardo da Vinci.

The smaller third floor of the Hermitage museum houses a section devoted to French paintings and another one devoted to Impressionist and post-Impressionist art. You can enjoy splendid paintings by Delacroix, Cezanne, Monet, Renoir and more. For something different, visit four rooms dedicated entirely to works by Picasso and Matisse. There's also an excellent collection of Oriental artistic works from China and Tibet spread across Rooms 351 to 364.

St.Petersburg's Hermitage is of course much more than state halls and famous paintings. There are also vast displays of graphics, sculptures, numismatics and archeological remains from various parts of Europe and Asia. Add to these artistic wonders the couple or more temporary exhibitions usually exposed inside the Great Throne Room and the Great Hall and you will understand why the Hermitage is considered by many to be Europe's greatest museum.

Pushkin park is a vast area of ponds, canals, bridges, terraces, pavilions and buildings exquisitely designed by architect Rastrelli for Empress Elizabeth. The park's most distinguished building is unquestionably the blue, white and gold multi-domed Catherine's palace, a huge Russian Baroque edifice constructed between 1744 and 1796 and named after Empress Elizabeth's mother. Enlarged and modified by architect Charles Cameron for Catherine the Great, it was used by Russia's Tsars up to 1917. The town of Pushkin, 24kms south of St.Petersburg was renamed after Russia's most distinguished poet in 1937; it was originally called Tsarskoe Selo but for political reasons, this was changed to Detskoe Selo after the Bolshevik's revolution.

The best way to reach Pushkin is by a combination of train and bus. From St.Petersburg's Vitebsky station, take a 30 minutes suburban train trip to Detskoe Selo. Trains are frequent before 9:30am but less frequent after that. From behind the Detskoe Selo station, frequent buses leave for Pushkin taking only five minutes to complete the journey. Get off the bus at the Pushkin stop and follow the crowds past numerous souvenir stalls towards the park's main entrance. Admittance is strictly controlled by staring babushkas who sell and check tickets which entitle visitors to wander anywhere along the park and palace gardens.

The first thing that catches the eyes of visitors once past the gate is the 300 metres long Catherine's palace, recently restored and recoated in its original blue, white and gold colours. The colonnaded façade, embellished with symmetrical ornate windows and door framework and numerous statues is one of Rastrelli's most splendid exteriors. Add to this the Russian-style golden domes that top the palace's chapel and you will understand why Catherine's palace is one of Russia's top attractions.

Once here, join the long queue of visitors at the ticket office. Guided tours start from the white State staircase which was added by architect Charles Cameron in 1860. You will undoubtedly be shown into the Great Hall, a large room with gilded ceilings, mirrors and splendid chandeliers. The crimson and green Pilaster Room and the Picture Hall which were designed and decorated by Rastrelli are both impressive and artistic. His masterpiece is however the Amber Room, an exquisite treasure trove of amber panels, jasper mosaics and splendid mirrors. The north side of the palace has rooms decorated in classical style by Charles Cameron. The Chinese blue Drawing Room for example, has splendid wall coverings decorated with 18th-century Oriental motifs while the Choir Anteroom has fine silk wall coverings decorated with swans and pheasants. The choir and the chapel, both decorated with stucco work and painted blue, white and gold are again by Rastrelli.

After touring the palace, take the wide steps in front of the entrance towards the blue and white Hermitage. Wander in the formal terraced gardens, along walkways embellished with numerous stone statues standing elegantly on pedestals. The building in the south corner is the Cameron Gallery which displays 18th-century carriages and costumes. For a good orientation of the park's vast forested area, ponds, pavilions and bridges, climb to the upper terrace of the Cameron Gallery from where the view is excellent.

If you want to spend an hour or so away from the crowds, stroll amidst lush greenery around the Great Pond and along numerous paths that run through Catherine's park. Cross the lovely Marble bridge towards the Concert Hall and the Chinese Pavilion. If you continue north, you'll soon reach the Chinese Theatre. A stone's throw away, the big building you see is Alexander's palace, a classical palace which was recently given a much-needed facelift and has now opened for visitors. There are numerous shaded paths which you can take on your way back to the main gate. You'll certainly discover more out of the way attractions that are awaiting visitors who venture beyond the prominent areas.

The most impressive of St. Petersburg's suburban parks, Petrodvorets, or Peterhof, is a spectacular park-palace complex with a unique array of fountains, gilded statues, wooden bridges, and well-manicured gardens. The best time to visit is in summer, when all the fountains are in operation and live bands perform daily in front of the Grand Palace. The park is quite large, and the scattered attractions can only be reached on foot, so be prepared with adequate cover in case it rains. In summer, it often does.

Suburban trains to Petrodvorets leave from St. Petersburg's Baltic Station. Do not expect comfort, since pre-war carriages with wooden benches more suitable to shift industrial products than humans are still used. However, they always leave on time and cost next to nothing. They are always crowded with locals, so be at the station 10 minutes or so before departure time. After a 4-minute trip, get off at Novy Petrodvorets and follow the crowds towards the adjacent bus station. Take any bus from here (except bus no. 357) to the fifth stop on Sankt Peterburgsky prospect, where most people get off, and follow them towards the park. You'll soon reach the park's extensive upper garden, decorated with a huge fountain topped by a statue of Neptune. This garden leads to the park's main gate, where you must buy a ticket for admittance to the ground and gardens.

A short, pleasant walk from the ticket booth brings you right in front of the Grand Palace, a huge and magnificent building originally designed and supervised by Peter the Great himself. Enlarged and modified by architect Rastrelli for Empress Elizabeth and reconstructed after World War II, when it suffered complete devastation, it is now an outstanding monument of architecture inside and out. Its ornate interior, decorated with splendid chandeliers, is a vast museum of fine art and antique furniture. All rooms are equally impressive, but the study of Peter the Great stands out for its wonderfully detailed sculptured panels. Entry to the palace is on a guided tour only, so it's advisable to arrive early and join the queue for the next tour in English.

The splendid Grand Cascade facing the Grand Palace is the main reason why you should come here. Rows of terraced fountains, highlighted by splendid gilded statues, are the park's main attraction. More trick fountains and water spouts triggered by hidden switches complete the picture. Partly designed by Peter the Great himself, this wonderful conglomeration of fountains and water canals is the venue for numerous theatrical or musical performances. Stroll around the Grand Cascade and along the main water canal, which runs directly towards the sea terminal and the Gulf of Finland. From the wonderful bridge along Marlinskaya aleya, enjoy the picturesque view of the rising Grand Cascade, backdropped by the magnificent elevated exterior of the Grand Palace.

If you walk east along Marlinskaya aleya and take any path towards the sea, you'll reach Monplaisir, an elegant and cosy palace that was used by Peter the Great to entertain guests. The halls and rooms of the palace are much more splendid than the exterior suggests. The main hall has extravagant marble floors and a wonderful painted ceiling, while the small study overlooking the sea is furnished with a unique Chinese-style writing table and matching showcases. The building adjoining Monplaisir, called Catherine's Building, was used as the living quarters of Catherine the Great when her husband, Tsar Peter III, was arrested and subsequently murdered. Alexandria Park, a huge green area with overgrown trees east of Monplaisir, is the best place for a peaceful stroll away from the crowds. The only interesting building here is the English-style cottage, which has renovated rooms displaying an exhibition of Russian art.

The area west of Alexandria Park is known as Lower Park. Numerous large fountains, smaller trick fountains, and stone statues adorn the straight forested walkways and elegant wide staircases. If you walk west along Marlinskaya aleya, you'll reach Marly, a medium-sized palace built for Peter the Great to host special guests. From here, take any path towards the shore to reach the small two-storey pink-and-white Hermitage. The second floor of this palace houses an unusual dining area, equipped with special lifts capable of hoisting the table, complete with dishes, from downstairs without the need of waiters.

If you still have time before returning to St. Petersburg, walk back through the upper garden towards Sankt Peterburgsky prospekt. If you walk east for about 200m, you'll see the five-domed Cathedral of St. Peter and St. Paul on your right. It is a huge church with splendid exterior works in Russian Orthodox-style architecture. It's always closed, except in the evening after 5pm, when it opens for a couple of hours for an evening service. If you happen to be here during this time, do not miss its impressive interior.

Petrogradskaya Storona is the Russian name for the Petrograd side of St. Petersburg. Consisting of five islands joined by numerous bridges, this is St. Petersburg's oldest and most treasured historical area. The best way to come here is to take line 2 of the metro to Gorkovskaya Station, from where you can reach the main sights in a couple of minutes. For a good orientation of your whereabouts, take Bus 46 which crosses the Neva over the Troitsky Bridge and continues along Kamennoostrovsky prospekt.

Gorkovskaya adjoins Alexandrovsky Park, a medium-sized green area of walkways and streams shaded by old trees. If you walk west from the station, you'll reach the Planetarium and the Wax Museum; farther west, next to the children's fun park, you'll come across St. Petersburg's zoo, home to numerous animals, some of which are still living in poor conditions and neglected habitats. Gorkovskaya station leads south towards Ioannovsky Bridge, the footbridge that joins Alexandrovsky Park to Zayachy Island. While crossing the bridge, look towards the small adjacent beach and the boat rental stand nearby. In summer, it is not unusual to see local swimmers enjoying a swim in the heavily polluted waters of the Neva.

Just opposite the bridge, St.John's gate leads to the front courtyard of the Peter and Paul Fortress. There's nothing to see here but the ticket and Tourist Information Office next to the gate has free brochures and souvenirs for sale. You can wander as much as you like in the fort's courtyards but entry to the attractions requires separate tickets. From St.John's gate, walk straight to the opposite side. From here, St.Peter's gate leads to the heart of the fortress and its main attractions. The whole complex is ringed with bastions but Nevsky Gate, constructed along the south stretch of the bastions overlooking the Neva river offers a splendid view of the Winter Palace, St.Isaac's Cathedral and the Admiralty.

The big building you see on your left as you enter through St.Peter's gate is the engineer's building which houses an interesting museum about the town's architecture. The smaller building next to it is the senior officer's barracks, in front of which you can't miss seeing the statue of Peter the Great, an unusual out-of-proportion, bronze-cast statue depicting the ruler seated on the throne of Russia. The building on your right, opposite the statue is the Grand Ducal mausoleum which houses numerous exhibits about the reconstruction of the fortress. The highlight is without doubt the adjoining St.Peter and St.Paul Cathedral whose 122 metres high needle-thin spire is the city's highest building. Designed by D. Trezzini and recently restored to its original splendour and grandeur, the cathedral has an unusually plain exterior and a magnificent Baroque interior. Don't miss the redecorated gilded pulpit and the numerous burial vaults and marble tombstones with the remains of the Russian tsars, including those of Peter the Great.

The building south of the cathedral is the former Commandant's house, now occupied by the St.Petersburg Museum of History. The small building to the north is the house of the Russian Navy. Here, an exact copy of the boat used by Peter the Great is preserved. The huge building in front of the cathedral's entrance is the former Mint which has recently opened for visitors.

If you still have time after visiting the fortress, walk back along the footbridge, cross Kamennoostrovsky prospect and continue east along Petrovskaya naberezhnaya until you reach the little stone building that encloses and preserves the small log cabin from where Peter the Great supervised the construction of the city. If you continue farther east along the embankment, you'll reach the Cruiser Aurora, a unique ship museum that contains numerous interesting documents and photographs witnessing the ship's agitated history.