Saint-Petersburg is often called a northern capital of Russia. And it is recognized as a city of special importance by The Russian Constitution. There are only two cities of special importance in Russia – Saint-Petersburg and of course Moscow. No doubt Saint-Petersburg deserves such a status.
The name of the city changed several times. At first the city was called Saint-Petersburg but it was renamed to Petrograd in 1914. Then in 1924 just after the death of Lenin the city was given the name Leningrad. In 1991 the old name Saint-Petersburg was given back to the city.
In the cultural capital Saint-Petersburg you’ll find a lot of museums, monuments and cathedrals. The most famous museum of world importance is of course the Hermitage. The works of arts collection of the Hermitage was started with Ekaterina’s (Cathrine) purchase of 225 pictures made by masters from Western Europe. Today the museum has about three million exhibits. Just imagine! You’ll need 15 years to see all the exhibits of the Hermitage having a minute looking at each of them and spending 8 hours a day on that. Besides each hall itself is a work of art. Malachite, George and Peter halls are very popular among tourists.
The theatres of Saint-Petersburg are also very famous all over the world. You’d better book the tickets because there are always lots of people interested in theatre. The Maryynsky theatre is magnificent. Here you can take in the pleasure of wonderful opera and unforgettable ballet. Lots of really great people worked and still work in the Maryynsky theatre. And magnificent furniture will take you back to the times of Peter I and Ekaterina II.
You can fall in love with Saint-Petersburg. Having come to this city once you want to come back here again and again. You'll especially like it if you visit Saint-Petersburg at the end of May or at the start of June. It’s right the time of white night here. That means it’s not dark at night. Such a geographical singularity. And besides the weather here is very warm and sunny in this period of time.