Elite Traveler September-October 2017

EXPLORE ST PETERSBURG GUIDE TO ST PETERSBURG

a guide to navigate the city and fully understand its history, as well as to help you avoid “Soviet service.” You might think that Russians would be closed to visitors in the current political climate, but on the contrary, you’ll find warm and welcoming people, eager to speak with you and tell you about their lives, and even the lives of their parents and grandparents who experienced some of the 20th century’s most significant events. While theWhite Nights of the summer might emit a siren call to visitors, it’s best to avoid high season and go in late spring or early fall when the weather is still nice but the city isn’t overrun. As Russia continues to push forward — see the controversial Lakhta Center, with what will be Europe’s tallest building being constructed in the north-west of the city —we can only hope St Petersburg retains its magic and is protected for future generations to enjoy.

Peter the Great was so enamored with the elegance of European cities and Venice’s graceful waterways that, by sheer force of will, he transformed a marshland into one of the most beautiful cities on earth. In doing so, he did more than create a city that would be the imperial capital for 200 years and serve as the cultural center of Russia; he introduced Russia to the western world and opened it to the modern era. In his quest, he succeeded in designing what Unesco calls “the greatest urban creation of the 18th century” (the historic center is a UnescoWorld Heritage site). In the so-called Venice of the North, colorful baroque and neoclassical buildings lie in perfect harmony among 42 islands, nearly 400 bridges, numerous canals and the Neva River. The low-rise architecture allows landmark buildings such as St Isaac’s Cathedral to soar above the imperial palaces, dramatically punctuating the skyline. The spirit of Peter and the city’s painful past —most notably the revolution of 1917 and the 900-day siege duringWorldWar II — are heavy presences throughout St Petersburg, and everywhere you turn there is something to learn. It’s best to hire

by Kristen Shirley

Photos Roman Evgenev/Shutterstock.com, State Academic Mariinsky Theatre, Evdoha_spb/Shutterstock.com