Peterhof
Petrodvorets
Peterhof, or Petrodvorets, is located about 30 kilometers west of Saint Petersburg. The suburb of the Russian metropolis is world famous for its huge palace and park complex, which is considered to be one of the most beautiful in the world. That is why Peterhof is also known as the Versailles of the East. The facility has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site for many years. Especially in the summer months, the facility attracts countless locals and tourists from all over the world.
Impressive palace and spectacular water features
The center of the entire complex, which was built in the course of the 18th and 19th centuries on the initiative of Peter the Great and in past centuries served as the summer residence of the Russian tsars, is the impressive “Great Czar’s Palace” with its 270 meters long Main facade. Both inside and outside, the baroque-style palace is characterized by its splendid ornamentation and elaborate decorations. The absolute highlight of the palace is the 342 square meter throne room. Among other things, the portraits of the Tsar’s family are located here. In the eastern part of the palace is the no less impressive palace church, which was opened in 1751. A very special highlight of Peterhof is the pavilion designed as a museum on the west side of the palace. In addition to valuable jewels, other personal items belonging to the Russian tsars can be viewed here. The palace can be visited as part of a guided tour. Around the palace is one of the most beautiful parks in the world. The numerous water features with sometimes spectacular meter-high water fountains are particularly impressive. These have also given St. Petersburg the status of the fountain capital of Russia.
Trans-Siberian Railway
From Moscow to Vladivostok – The Trans-Siberian Railway
Completed as early as 1916, the Trans-Siberian Railway is still a line of superlatives. At 9,288 kilometers, it is the longest railway line in the world. More than 400 train stations line the route from Moscow to Vladivostok. The pure travel time is 160 hours.
On the way on the European route
From Moscow, where you should at least have seen the Red Square and the Kremlin, the journey first goes to Nizhny Novgorod on the Volga. The medieval city was for a long time the seat of a prince and an important trading center. Many historical buildings have been preserved in the old town and have been extensively restored in recent years.
Continue to Kazan, the capital of the Republic of Tatarstan. The influence of Asian cultures is evident in the city. The architecture is a colorful mixture of Orient and Occident. The Kazan Kremlin, one of the most beautiful in Russia, is particularly worth seeing.
In the vastness of Siberia
A trip through Siberia is particularly impressive because of the size of this part of Russia. After the train crossed the border with Asia at kilometer 1777 in the Urals, the first major stop is Yekaterinburg.
The city’s main attraction is the Cathedral on the Blood, which was built on the site where Tsar Nicholas II and his family were murdered in 1917.
It goes hundreds of kilometers along Lake Baikal to Irkutsk. The city is a good place to stop. From there you can quickly get to Listvyanka on the shore of the lake or you can make
a detour to the island of Olkhon.
The journey ends at Vladivostok, Russia’s gateway to the Pacific.
Yusupov Palace
There are countless sights to discover in Saint Petersburg. One of the most fascinating buildings in the Russian metropolis is the Yusupov Palace on the banks of the Moika River near the city center. The impressive palace still shows the great wealth of the family of Prince Yusupov, one of the richest families in Russia.
The murder of Rasputin: exciting history comes to life
The palace is characterized by its classical facade. Inside the palace, in which the most diverse architectural styles are combined, there is an incredible amount to see. After all, the spacious rooms, which are still furnished in the style of the 19th and 20th centuries, are characterized by countless luxury items such as gold-plated chandeliers, large ornate mirrors or huge wall paintings. In addition, the eventful and extremely exciting history is still alive today in the Yusupov Palace – including in the basement rooms. Here is a small but fine exhibition on the life and death of the famous miracle healer Grigori Rasputin, who was poisoned in the palace on December 17th, 1916. In one of the rooms, the murder of the tsar’s legendary advisor is even re-enacted with wax figures. There is also a small house theater in the Yusupov Palace, which today still offers space for 200 spectators. The palace, which is open daily from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., can be discovered on a two-hour guided tour. Admission is 500 rubles (about 6 euros) for the halls and 300 rubles (3.60 euros) for the Rasputin exhibition.
