Historic Centre of Saint Petersburg
Russia ·
Description
Saint Petersburg is Russia's European dream built on serf bones. Peter the Great raised a Baroque capital on Baltic swamps, with pastel palaces reflected in frozen canals. The Hermitage holds three million works, June's white nights know no darkness, and the world's deepest metro hides underground palaces.
Why It's a World Heritage Site
Saint Petersburg was created as 'window to Europe' and shows exceptional Baroque, Neoclassical and Art Nouveau architecture. The Hermitage is one of the world's largest museums. The city was a laboratory for architectural styles over three centuries.
UNESCO Criteria
Frequently Asked Questions
For being a unique urban creation with exceptional Baroque, Neoclassical and Art Nouveau architecture.
It was inscribed in 1990 under criteria (i), (ii), (iv) and (vi).
In June the sun barely sets; there are cultural festivals all night.
Minimum half day; they say seeing everything would take 11 years.
Less than Western Europe; Russian visa can be complex to obtain.