Peter and Paul Fortress in St. Petersburg was founded by Peter the Great in 1703. Besides the ancient fortifications, one of the great attractions is Peter and Paul Cathedral, built by the architect Trezini in 1733, with the burial vault of Peter the Great and other Russian tsars. Soon after its foundation, the fortress became the first political prison in Russia, reserved for the most important state prisoners. The museum in Trubetskoy bastion prison is open for the public.

St. Isaac’s Cathedral built in 1858 by the architect Montferrand is the 4-th in height among one-cupola’s cathedrals in the world after St. Peter’s in Rome, St. Paul’s in London and Santa Maria del Fiorre in Florence. The richly adorned interior, lined with marble, and with malachite and lazurite columns, was intended for up to 10000 worshippers. Standing on the broad Isaac’s square, its golden dome can be seen all over the city. On a clear day the observation platform at the foot of the dome commands a fine view over St. Petersburg and its surroundings.

The Hermitage Museum in St. Petersburg ranks among the most famous museums in the world. The whole complex of Winter Palace, Small Hermitage, Old Hermitage, New Hermitage and the Hermitage Theatre is known as the "State Hermitage". The setting is magnificent and lavish; malachite, jasper, agate and marble provide a fine backdrop to the treasures.
The Hermitage collection shows the development of art and material culture in the West and the East from prehistoric times to the present day. There are remarkable collections of paintings, prints, sculptures as well as tapestries, carpets, objects d`art, archeological finds, furniture and unique articles of jewellery.

The Russian Museum is a treasure-house of national culture. The museum`s collection of Russian art is next in importance to that of the Tretyakov Gallery. Outstanding is its collection of icons, including the 12th century Angel with Golden Hair and works of Rublyov and Ushakov. The Russian museum is housed in the palace of Grand Duke Michael, the youngest son of Emperor Paul. It was designed by the architect Rossi in 1825, in the style of a nobleman`s town estate.

The Russian Museum of Ethnography is one of the largest and richest museums in Russia. Its collections include objects of ethnic culture of more than 150 peoples of Russia and its neighbours. Various cultures and religions meet in the space of the Russian Museum of Ethnography which has been created to function like a medium between people and science that comprehend their everyday life as an object to study.

The Yusupov Palace is the only mansion of St. Petersburg nobility created in fascinating comfort by talented 18th and 19th century Russian architects, sculptors and artists. Visitors immersed in the cozy and homelike atmosphere of the palace are enchanted by the perfect harmony of its interiors and a breathtaking collection of objects d`art. It claims fame as the place where Prince Yusupov murdered famous "shadow of the tsar family" Grigory Rasputin in 1916.