Downtown Sites, Saint Petersburg

There is a place on Bolshoi Konushennoii Street (a side street off of the Nevskii Prospekt, across from the Kazan church) that makes Russian Doughnuts. They only have one item on the menu, and the doughnut is 12 roubles. They have been open since 1958 - and its a great place that most people don't know about!

A block or so to the east of Kamennoostrovskiy Prospekt, south of the mosque, you can find this additional example of Style Moderne architecture. Matilda Kshesinskaya was a ballet star (who is said to have had an affair with Nicholas II, before he became Tsar) and it was built for her in 1904.

The detail is more impressive than the photo ~ it's a mix of tile, ironwork, coloured stone and an especially impressive bay window. The mansion today holds a Museum of Political History; our timing was off for visiting, but it's worth a look at the exterior at least.

This red and white building was built between 1722-1742 to house Peter the Great's governmental divisions. Today, it forms a western border for a group of buildings that make up the St. Petersburg University.

The University grounds are a lovely place for a walk ~ the buildings in this section are attractive and I always find campuses fun for the people-watching factor.

Peter the Great first ordered a university to be built in 1724; since then, students have played a role in the shaping of the city and the country. Mendelev devised the table of elements here; Lenin complete a degree in law (as did Putin years later), and students have always participated in protests and revolts.

The camps today is a quiet and relatively traffic-free area. There were lots of students sprawling in the green spaces of the grounds, enjoying the sunshine and warm weather during our visit.

The avenue Nevsky Prospekt is full of interesting sights like churches and historic buildings, therefore a little gem is often missed:

At the old school house at Nevsky Prospekt No. 14 is a blue sign with white letters refering to the siege between 1941-44. It states:

"Citizens! This side of the street is the most dangerous during artillery bombardment."

More than half of the streets Ulitsa Pravdy and Bolshaia Moskovskaia were transformed into an open air museum filled with modern statues, unusual benches, patches of green grass and interesting lamps.

Just outside of the center, it is an interesting walk from Vladimirski prospekt down these two streets up to the Pionerskaia Ploshtshad.

A usual SPb “profit” building has nice facades and rather plain or even ugly inside court. A good exception is so-called “Tolstoy” house on Runinshtejna 17. This building is also a passage (shortcut) between Rubinshtejna street and Fontanka river. The entire Rubinshtejn street is vice seeing for its excellent facades.

You can find this small street off the Nevski Ave between Fontanka and Vladimirski Ave.

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The St. Petersburg Mosque was opened in 1913 and remained open except for a period from WWII to 1956 when it was used for a warehouse. It has two minarets, 48 meters tall.
It is on Petrograd Island and visible from the Neva and surrounding area.

There are some organized tours. It is an active mosque open for prayer 10 am to 7 pm .

Kronverksky Prospect 7
Near metro Gorkovskaya, look right when you exit Metro and head that direction.

If you travel with an emerging virtuoso violin player you might conisder arranging some serious violin study with one of the best instructors in Europe, Savely Shalman.

The recitals by his students are a sell-out at the Glinka Music Hall onNEvsky Prospect. Many medal winners among his students. He tours all over giving violin master classes.
If you are interested in a master class, e-mail you and I will give out contact information. :)

Bring violin, leave shoes at the door. :)

This square is a rather busy and interesting square. Escape from the crowd of Nevsky Prospekt and walk to this square. You can eat at several restaurants or visit the Technical Museum at the corner of the square.