ST-Petersburg of Peter I
Duration: 8 hours
One cannot escape mentioning the name of Peter I 101 times while showing around ST- Petersburg.
It would be unfair to our city’s creator not to have a tour into his honor.
There is a one-day tour on our list totally dedicated to the «first architect» of ST-Petersburg. The tour will include options to visit
Summer Palace of Peter I (additional information on www.rusmuseum.ru);
To build his town residence, Peter chose a spot on the bank of the Neva River, being also surrounded by waters of a nameless brook at that time (now the Fontanka River).
Having been built in Dutch style, much- favored by Peter, the mansion was intended to live in summer time (May-September). The construction was finished in 1713, by the first architect of ST-Petersburg Domeniko Trezzini.
Along with the Boat House of Peter I (see below), the Summer Palace is a unique example of the very first stone buildings of ST-Petersburg of the beginning of the XVIII century.
Boat House of Peter I (additional information on www.rusmuseum.ru);
Preserved and much cared about for years and years, the Boat House of Peter the Great is a witness of the first days of ST-Petersburg.
The first lodging of the undemanding emperor was built by captured Swedish soldiers in three days. There is only a study, a dining room and a bed-room.
The first case for the wooden cabin was built even in time of Peter I, an open stone gallery; later replaced in the XIX century by the current one.
Menshikov Palace (additional information on www.hermitagemuseum.org );
Alexander Menshikov was the first Governor of ST-Petersburg and the closest friend and aid of Peter. His Palace was started in 1710 on Basil Island; the island used to be a property of Alexander Menshikov too, having been presented to him by Peter I.
Menshikov Palace was the most lavish mansion of ST-Petersburg of Petrine era, often Peter had to borrow it from his friend for receptions and assemblies.
After Menshikov’s exile in 1727, the Palace along with its contents was confiscated by the Government and the Cadet School was opened in there.
The Palace was reopened as the Museum in 1981 after careful and detailed restoration of the original interiors.
Kunstkamera or Chamber of Curiosities (additional information on www.kunstkamera.ru)
«The world’s most bizarre museum, forgotten and neglected to the point of surreality» (Victoria Hammond «Letters from ST-Petersburg»).
It was started by Peter the Great’s decree as a Kunstkamera or Cabinet of Wonders in 1714. Nowadays, bearing the name of the Museum of Anthropology and Ethnography, it contains over one million artifacts dedicated to diverse world cultures and traditions.
Monplaisir Palace (additional information on www.peterhof.org).
The favorite Palace of Peter I built on the very bank of the Finish Gulf was completed before the Upper Chambers (Big Palace of Peterhoff) and was preferred by the family of the Great Russian Emperor.
Monplaisir is my pleasure in French, the name borrowed from the French court but also it was known as the Dutch House of Peter I, its exterior and interiors resembling moderate houses of Dutch burgers.
Monplaisir was the first palace to be built in Peterhoff, Peter himself chose its location and design. In every single way Monplaisir reflects the taste and preferences of the first Russian Emperor.
