EU-Russia Symposium / SOCIAL PROGRAMME

During this tour you‘ll see the most interesting architectural and historical sights and monuments.
1. The Spit of Basil’s Island (architectural ensemble of the early 19th century, the former trade port of St. Petersburg), a beautiful view of St. Peter & St. Paul Fortress, the Hermitage, the Admiralty.
2. The Neva River embankments - University Embankment, Palace Embankment, Admiralty Embankment, the bridges across the Neva.
3. Isaac's Square - St. Isaac's Cathedral, Marinsky Palace, monument to Nicholas I.
4. Decembrists’ Square - the monument to Peter the Great.
5. Palace Square - the Winter Palace - former residence of Russian tsars, General Staff of Russian Army, Alexander Column- a monument to Russian victory over Napoleon in the War of 1812.
6. The Square of Arts.
7. Nevsky Prospect- the main street of St. Petersburg and a shopping center.
8. The Field of Mars, the Summer Garden, the Marble Palace, Michael's Castle, the Church of Our Savior on Spilled Blood.
9. The cruiser Aurora (a revolutionary monument.)
10. Smolny Convent and Smolny Institute (the headquarters of the 1917 October Revolution)

INCLUDING

	The Church of Our Savior on Spilled Blood - It's unique decorations include icons and panels made from majolica and mosaic, which were made from drawings by the leading Russian artists of last century. Restorers say the church contains more mosaics than any other cathedral in the world. The church also houses a permanent exhibition "Tsar Alexander II". http://www.saint-petersburg.com/museums/church-savior-on-spilled-blood.asp

	Alexander Nevsky Monastery - Historic and revitalized Alexander Nevsky Monastery is a beautiful complex of churches and prestigious cemeteries that shelter the graves of many Russian cultural giants including Tchaikovsky, Dostoevsky, Glinka and others. http://www.saint-petersburg.com/cathedrals/Alexander-Nevsky-Monastery.asp

	Peter and Paul Fortress - This is the oldest building in St. Petersburg. Be sure to visit the baroque interior of the SS Peter & Paul cathedral with its landmark golden needle spire. This is also the resting site for many Russian Tsars including Peter the Great. The grounds outside the fortress are a major venue for several city festivals held through out the year http://www.saint-petersburg.com/cathedrals/Alexander-Nevsky-Monastery.asp

	St Isaac's Cathedral - The lavish interior of the grandiose and skyline-dominating cathedral completed in 1858 and designed by French architect Ricard de Montferrand. Be sure to check out the views from the colonnade surrounding the cathedral's beautiful landmark golden dome. http://www.saint-petersburg.com/museums/st-isaacs-cathedral.asp

Peterhof is perhaps St. Petersburg's most famous and spectacular Imperial estate. Nestled on the shore of the Gulf of Finland (part of the Baltic Sea), the palace was built by Peter the Great initially as a resting place en route to the Imperial naval base at Kronshtadt. But the Tzar was quick to recognize the attractiveness of the area and masterminded a vast estate intended to rival the famous gardens of Versailles.
The Grand Palace, filled with fascinating and elaborate interiors, sits on top of a high seashore ridge overlooking the vast Lower Park. The original palace was built between 1714 and 1725 by the architects Braunstein, Zemtsov and Leblond. Later that century the palace was extended to its present size and redesigned by the court architect Francesco Bartholomeo Rastrelli, the creator of the Winter Palace, the Catherine Palace, Smolny Cathedral and many more of St. Petersburg's major landmarks. The original Baroque decor was preserved in some of the rooms, while others were redesigned throughout the 18th and early 19th century. During WWII the palace was seriously damaged but most of the rooms have now been restored to their former glory.
The palace at Peterhof sits amidst an enormous park, adorned with fountains, statues and pavilions. The Upper Garden, located between the St. Petersburg highway and the Grand Palace, is a typical French-style formal garden with five fountains including one depicting Neptune, the God of the Sea. The estate's Lower Park lies between the Grand Palace and the seashore and boasts the world's largest system of fountains, earning it the title the "Russian Versaille". The park's unique fountain system was designed in the 18th century by the engineer V. Tuvolkov, and doesn't require the use of any pumps to operate the fountains. There are three major cascades and over 120 fountains in the park. The most impressive is the Grand Cascade, located directly below the Grand Palace and featuring an impressive golden statue of Samson grasping the mighty jaws of the lion. The park's other cascades feature black and white chess board designs, Chinese dragons and numerous other features, as well as several joke fountains which are guaranteed to delight everyone!

Tsarskoye Selo (formerly known as Pushkin) is one of St. Petersburg's numerous Imperial estates. Located just 25 kilometers south of the city, the estate boasts a large landscape park, dotted with architectural follies, and centered on the magnificent blue, white and gold Catherine Palace. Named after its creator, Empress Catherine, the second wife of Peter the Great, the original palace was built between 1717 and 1723 by the architect Braunstein. The palace was expanded later in the century and given a new, richly decorated Baroque facade by the architect Francesco Bartholomeo Rastrelli. The Catherine Palace houses some beautiful Baroque interiors, including the luxurious Grand Hall, a long, gold, mirrored ballroom. The Palace also boasts a unique Amber Room, whose priceless amber panels were stolen by Nazi troops during WWII, but which are now being painstakingly recreated by Russian craftsmen.