добро пожаловать, dobro pozhalovat, ladies and gentlemen (this was the Google translation for ‘welcome’ in Russian). I just got back from beautiful Saint Petersburg, a city that is surely on your bucket list. And if it isn’t: please put it there! I’ll show and tell you why.
First of all, the reason I went to St Petersburg – Russia’s second most important city, old capital and current cultural capital of the country – is because Brussels Airlines (you know, everyone’s favorite airline) opened the route Brussels-St. Petersburg in april. No worries, the plane also comes back to Brussels, so you don’t have to stay in Russia for the rest of your life. A little bit more worrisome is the fact that Brussels Airlines decided on a summer schedule, meaning there’ll be no flights after October. Which means: book fast! Their prices start at 119 euro for a return ticket, which is a very fair price.
Brussels Airlines offers a summer schedule, meaning there’ll be no flights after October. Which means: book fast!
Anyway, back to Russia. After a two and a half hour flight I arrived at Pulkovo Airport, about an hour away from the city center by car, depending on traffic of course. The airport itself is quite new and has a very interesting architecture, but more importantly: it offers free wifi.
If you take a taxi downtown, you’ll surely be taken down Moskovsky Prospekt, a ten kilometer long avenue with impressive and important buildings on either side. You’ll notice Moscow Triumphal Gate, the National Library and many buildings, statues, columns commemorating some victory of the Russian empire over another country. Apparently the Russians have fought many wars, if you just look at all the monuments.
Peter the Great
Driving to the city center, you’ll notice Saint Petersburg is big. It has a population of 5.2 million people, which makes it the second largest city in Russia. The city was founded by Peter the First, aka Peter the Great, who named the city after Peter the Apostel, who coincidentally had the same first name. Since then, the city changed names quite often. In 1914 it became Petrograd, ten years later Leningrad and in 1991 it became Saint Petersburg once again. Now Russians call it ‘Piter’.
The city was founded by Peter the First, aka Peter the Great, who named the city after Peter the Apostel, who coincidentally had the same first name
And Piter is a pretty city. With its (almost 100) canals some call it ‘The Venice of the North’, but we all know that honor is already bestowed upon Bruges. Anyway, St. Petersburg not only has canals, it also has a huge river. And pretty buildings, such as the famous Hermitage museum, located on the river bank. Going down the river and canals on a boat is probably one of the best ways to visit this city. The approximately 342 bridges make the city all the more special.
The historic center of Saint Petersburg is obviously on the UNESCO World Heritage List. And walking around you’ll know why. It’s just gorgeous! But then at some point you’ll surely feel the heavy, moist breath of a Chinese tourist in your neck. And all of the sudden you’ll notice that most tourists here are actually Chinese. Especially when visiting the Hermitage – an absolute must! – or Peterhof – a winter castle outside of the city – you will have to watch out for Chinese stampedes. European tourism has firmly declined in Russia (a little bit less in St. Petersburg because it’s so pretty and interesting, but still about 12 percent), mostly because of political reasons. But with their ruble underperforming this is actually the best time for Euro-users to go.
Too cool for school
What else is cool? Obviously the Church of the Savior on Spilled Blood, the famous Russian orthodox Cathedral located on the canal banks. Also make sure to take the metro. The metro stations in Saint Petersburg are just too cool for school. Oh, and don’t forget to visit Erarta Modern Art Museum, the biggest center of contemporary art in Russia. It is quite amazing and offers a great contrast with the classical feeling the rest of St. Petersburg has to offer. Like St. Isaacs Cathedral, the largest orthodox basilica in the world.
Anyway, I pretty much loved my citytrip to Saint Petersburg. I even went to the Mikhailovsky Theater to watch ballet, Don Quixote to be more precise. Beautiful, honestly! I do have some constructive feedback though: Saint Petersburg is not surprising. I mean, you expect it to be beautiful and it is. It doesn’t feel hip or trendy like some other northern metropolises (not sure if this is a world, but I mean the plural of metropolis). Everything seems very classical (except for the Erarta modern art museum). Which is just fine, I guess…
Oh, one more thing: you need a visa to get into St. Petersburg – or at least if you’re traveling by air. In Belgium there are two places – in Antwerp and Brussels – to arrange it all. Please check www.vhs-belgium.com for more information.
Brussels Airlines operates this flight three times a week: Monday-Wednesday-Friday.
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