St. Petersburg is a city of grandeur. It’s center was virtually unharmed in the 1930-50s period of Stalinist reconstruction and impressive palaces line placid canals dotted with beautiful bridges. Recognized as one of the most beautiful cities of the world and a “Venice of the North”, St. Petersburg is evocative of Russia’s imperial past. Though beautiful during the day, St. Petersburg is absolutely stunning by night. That is perhaps why we spent our nights there just strolling up and down its canals.
An air of mystery seems to take hold of the city as the street lights twinkle on. Golden reflections of the former imperial residences dance on the inky waters of the canals. Lovers steal a few quiet moments on a bridge, the bustling Nevsky Prospect always just a few steps away. Take a virtual stroll with us through some of favorite night scenes from the former Russian capital:
Our Lady of Kazan Cathedral peeks over a bridge along Nevsky Prospect
The Cathedral of Our Lady of Kazan was named after the “miracle-making” icon of Our Lady of Kazan, which was housed in the church until the 1930s. The Bolsheviks stopped services in the cathedral in 1929 and it became the Museum of the History of Religion and Atheism. It’s still a museum, but church services were finally resumed there just a few years ago.
The House of Books
This Art Nouveau building is a multi-story bookstore, simply called The House of Books, with the Cafe Singer overlooking Nevsky Prospect and the Cathedral of Our Lady of Kazan. The building was built as the Russian branch of the Singer Sewing Machine Company and is crowned with a glass tower, which in turn is topped by a glass globe sculpture.
The Church of Our Savior on the Spilled Blood
Close up of the onion domes of The Church of Our Savior on the Spilled Blood
Built on the spot where Emperor Alexander II was assassinated in March 1881, the Church of Our Savior on Spilled Blood was was built between 1883 and 1907. Its construction was almost entirely funded by the Imperial family and the exterior is decorated with thousands of incredibly detailed mosaics. The view of the church from Nevsky Prospect is just breathtaking!
Griboyedov Canal at night
Dancing reflections on the Griboyedov Canal
Palaces line the Griboyedov Canal
The Griboyedov Canal was called the Catherine Canal before 1923, after Catherine the Great. It is 5 kilometers in length and has 21 bridges that cross it. The stretch between the Church of Our Savoir on Spilled Blood and Nevsky Prospect is lined with palaces and their reflections glistening on the water. The wide pedestrian street that lines is canal is so quiet, you’d hardly believe your mere steps from the lively Nevsky Prospect.
Of course there are many more canals, palaces, and monuments to take in a night. But for once, we just put the camera away and enjoyed the beauty of St. Petersburg.
Our trip to Russia was sponsored in part by G Adventures. As always, all opinions are entirely our own.
Ellen Christian says
The Church of Our Savior on Spilled Blood is gorgeous!
Jennifer Dombrowski says
It really was! I think we photographed it in just about every light possible.
Cheryl Howard says
Lovely photos. Seeing a city by night is one of the best things you can do when you travel … has a whole different feel! 🙂
Jennifer Dombrowski says
It really does. Nevsky Prospect was really fun at night and filled with running clubs, rollerbladers, and just vibrant with everyone from city out and about. But you could easily escape it all down a canal in just a few steps.
Leigh says
You have made me want to visit Russia – no small feat – with your series of blog posts and of course the photos. Sometimes you do have to just enjoy the moment – and forget about the blog and all the missed opportunities for photos etc. It’s been fun following along.
Jennifer Dombrowski says
Thanks Leigh! Now that I’ve seen some of the sights and understand the culture a bit more, I’d love to go back for a more adventure type trip to Siberia. Call me crazy, but I’d especially like to go in winter!
Janice says
Looks like it was a romantic trip! The photos are lovely…
Jennifer Dombrowski says
Thank you! Nighttime strolls are always a bit romantic, don’t you think?
Devlin says
I’m glad you could put your camera away and just enjoy where you were. Sometimes we live through the camera too much.
Jennifer Dombrowski says
Definitely agree with that. Though I think back to our early days of traveling together and we took hardly any photos. It’d be nice to have those photos to look back at too.
Rhonda says
Going to St. Petersburg is a dream of mine! Following along with your recent trip has only made me want to go to Russia even more!
Jennifer Dombrowski says
St. Petersburg was our favorite of all the cities we visited, though St. Basil’s in Moscow was our favorite thing was saw. Definitely go if you have the chance!
Heather says
This is going to be one of our first trips once we move to the Baltics next summer!
Jennifer Dombrowski says
Are you living in the US until your move? I’d definitely recommend getting your visa before you leave the US and applying for a 3 year multi-entry visa in case you’d like to go back to Russia. I wish we’d done that instead of the single entry!
Mohammad Nasir says
Nice place, really romantic…….
Derek says
Great photos! The best is definitely the one of The Church of Our Savior. I’ve always wanted to visit St. P and this post just reinforces why….impressive architecture!
Trisha Velarmino says
Really jealous you can take nice pictures at night! What’s your camera?
jill says
Oh wow… it looks like a truly a romantic city indeed. The reflections of all of those lighted buildings on the water are so pretty.
Lori says
Lovely night photos of St. Petersburg!