TEXT: DENIS FURMANOV

The main avenue of the city, Bolshaya Sadovaya Ulitsa (“Great Garden Street”) got its name back in the 19th century when it was surrounded by the tender pale pink of apple and cherry orchards, in place of the large stone buildings that now line the street. Looking now at this city of over a million inhabitants, it’s hard to believe that until the middle of the 19th century there were only 14 streets in Rostov-on-Don. The main buildings on Bolshaya Sadovaya date back to the construction boom that came to the city with the development of the port and the introduction of the railroad. At the turn of the 20th century, rich men from all over the south – bankers, grain merchants, and even artists – built themselves mansions along the street. In the “Russian Chicago”, as it was jokingly known at the time, the finest architects of the era let their fantasies roam free.

The first photo that every tourist takes in Rostov-on-Don is a selfie in front of the monument to St. Dmitry on the square in front of the Cathedral of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin. The cathedral was built in the Russo-Byzantine style by Konstantin Ton, architect of the Kremlin Armory and Cathedral of Christ the Savior in Moscow, and is an exact copy of his Presentation Cathedral in St.Petersburg (destroyed in 1933).

Running from Bolshaya Sadovaya Ulitsa to the cathedral is the pedestrian Soborny district that is the Rostov equivalent of Moscow’s Arbat, with numerous cafés and souvenir stores. Beneath the cathedral walls lies one of the most vibrant city sites – the Central Market.

On the other side of Bolshaya Sadovaya can be found Rostov’s historic central park, now bearing the name of the writer Maxim Gorky. Right behind the park stands another fi ne building – Rostov’s City Hall and Parliament, the facade of which boasts more than 250 sculptures and artistic decorations. In the evenings, carefully designed lighting adds to the town hall’s fairy-tale atmosphere. The building is an exquisite example of fi n de siècle architecture. For many years it was painted white, and the locals fondly compared it to a sponge cake with whipped cream. Then, a couple of years ago, its original color scheme was restored, so now they joke that it’s more like a crème brulée.

Rostov’s modern inhabitants are also keen on creative experiments. Head to the next major intersection, and you’ll find a hotel in the shape of a milk bottle. From the restaurant on the top fl oor, you get a fantastic panoramic view of the city center, while down below there’s a karaoke club with its own music studio.

Rostov’s theaters are also highly unusual. Th e Rostov State Musical Th eater was built in the form of a white grand piano with the lid open, while the Maxim Gorky Rostov Academic Drama Theatre was supposedly inspired by the Soviet Union’s fi rst tractor. The Gorky Th eater merits a mention in numerous books on Soviet architecture, as well as museum exhibitions, as one of the fi nest extant examples of constructivism in Russia. For example, in the London Museum of Architecture there are only two exhibits representing Russia – including models of Moscow’s St. Basil’s Cathedral and the Gorky Th eater in Rostov. Even so, few know that the high reliefs that decorate the theater
are the work of the well-known sculptor Sergey Korolkov, a Don cossack from the village of Konstantinovsky. Internationally renowned as an artist and designer, his works illustrated the fi rst edition of Mikhail Sholokhov’s Quiet Flows the Don.

Come to this Don capital, take a walk round town, breathe in the warm southern air, and you’ll never want to leave!

City STATISTICS

Population: 1,125,300.
Ethnic Groups: More than 150.
Houses of Worship: About 40 Russian Orthodox churches – including churches of the Old Believers. Churches of the Armenian Apostolic, Roman Catholic and Greek Orthodox faiths can also be found, in addition to a mosque, Buddhist centers, and Jewish synagogues.
Bridges: The city has 7 bridges, and the embankments stretch for more than 2km along the river.
Attraction: Rostov boasts one of Europe’s largest zoos.
Sport: Rostov Arena hosted matches of the FIFA World Cup in the summer of 2018.

Our itinerary covers the most iconic and popular places. It’s easy on the budget, but you’ll need to gather your energy for long walks between the main sights.

Are you ready for this long stroll through Moscow?
Let’s begin our journey with the most important places in Moscow: the Kremlin and Red Square.

The nearest metro stops are Okhotny Ryad, Teatralnaya, and Ploshchad Revolutsii, the latter two of which are considered to be amongst the Moscow underground’s most beautiful stations.

Just before you reach Red Square, you’ll cross Manezh Square, one of Moscow’s most popular spots for young people. The square is home to the Okhotnyi Ryad shopping centre, with its many boutiques and cafés, and the historic Manezh building, originally a riding school, where you can always find a variety of themed art exhibitions.

Leaving Manezh Square for the cobblestones of Red Square, you’ll see perhaps the most famous and unforgettable of all Russian cathedrals— St. Basil’s. Here too is the Lenin Mausоleum, the venerable GUM shopping mall, and the Kremlin itself in the form of its main gate tower, the Saviour Tower, with its famous chiming clock.
When the Lenin Mausoleum is open to visitors—which is relatively rarely—you can even go inside. Usually a long line forms on such days. Bags are not permitted inside, but you can check them for a fee at the nearby lockers.
You have to purchase tickets to visit the Kremlin museums.
Check in advance at kreml.ru to make sure they are open on the day of your planned visit. You can also use the website to buy your tickets. During high tourist season, it is better to purchase them several days in advance.

From Arbat, you can walk toward Kropotkinskaya metro station. The capital’s main church is located here — the famous Cathedral of Christ the Savior.

Manezh Square also leads into the Alexander Garden. There, in front of the Eternal Flame, the changing of the guard takes place each hour. After a stroll in the garden, where you can take beautiful pictures, head toward that world-famous opera and ballet venue—the Bolshoi Theater. From there, walk on to the Lubyanka metro station, where you’ll find the Central Children’s Department Store, with a vast range of goods for the little ones. On its roof is a large viewing platform with a wonderful view of Moscow’s historic center.

Our next stop is the new Zaryadye Park, the path to which runs through the central streets of Kitay-Gorod. The park is divided into four parts: northern landscape, steppe, mixed forest, and floodplains. The underground walkway under the Moscow River Embankment has become an archaeological museum.
The park’s main and most popular attraction is the Hovering Bridge above the Moskva River.
Further along the Kremlin Embankment, across Znamenka Street, you’ll reach Old Arbat Street. Once here, take a look at the famous Pashkov House located at 3/5 Vozdvizhenka Street.
According to one theory, this is where Ivan the Terrible’s library was hidden.

Take a stroll along Old Arbat, and then cross over to New Arbat. There you can enjoy a ride on the swings and have a bite to eat. This part of our itinerary takes approximately five hours of walking.
If you like biking, you can rent a bicycle right on the street. Velobike bicycle rental is the most convenient of all. You can even rent an electric bike.
The rental terms and conditions can be found at velobike.ru. Velobike stands in the city center are located close enough to each other to make it easy to alternate between strolling and cycling.
From Arbat, you can walk along Gogolevsky Boulevard toward Kropotkinskaya metro station. The capital’s main church and the world’s largest Russian Orthodox cathedral is located here—the famous Cathedral of Christ the Savior.

From Kropotkinskaya, you can head to the Vorobyevy Hills station, the first metro station to be built on a bridge over the river. Don’t be in a rush to get back outside, because there are museum artifacts on display right in the station’s lobby. Stroll through the park to the viewing platform with an enchanting panorama of the Moskva River and Luzhniki Stadium. A new 700-meter cable lift connects the viewing platform with the stadium. The main building of Moscow State University is also here, one of the famous “Seven Sisters” skyscrapers from the Stalin era.
Having returned to the metro, you can change to the MCC (Moscow Central Circle) and take a train in the direction of Kutuzovskaya metro station. If you are tired, you can simply ride the full circle.
A beautiful view opens up between the Luzhniki and Delovoy Tsentr stations. If you are ready to continue sightseeing, however, head to the Moscow City station.

There is also a viewing platform there, which can be enjoyed for a fee. This part of your trip takes about three hours.
There are several more iconic places in the capital for you to visit. You can adjust your itinerary in accordance with your stamina. You need to choose what you want to see most of all: VDNKh,Izmailovo Kremlin, Tsaritsyno, or Kolomenskoe.

The Exhibition of Economic Achievements, or VDNKh, built in the Soviet era, is the largest expo complex in the world and one of the most popular recreation areas in the capital. VDNKh boasts fountains of amazing beauty, many pavilions and exhibitions, and a huge oceanarium.
Izmailovo Kremlin was opened fairly recently, in 2003, with the purpose of reviving Russian traditions. You can visit the tallest wooden church in Russia, learn an ancient craft, buy souvenirs, and browse in the antique and flea markets.
Tsaritsyno, a beautiful and cozy parkmuseum, was once upon a time supposed to become a country retreat for Empress Catherine II (“Catherine the Great”).
However, she did not find it to her tastes. Here you can spread out on the lawn and have a picnic, visit the museum, or just sit in a café, and in the evening enjoy an incredible view of the singing and dancing fountains.
Kolomenskoe is another former royal residence, where visitors can enjoy horseback riding, take part in ancient Russian amusements, or pose for photos wearing traditional costumes.

TEXT: ALINA ODOEVA

The Seven Bridges
A place that is in many ways a symbol of this city sliced every which way by rivers and canals. Standing at the center of Pikalov Bridge with St. Nicholas Cathedral to your left, turn slowly around clockwise and you’ll be able from one point to see seven different bridges.
Address: 133A, Naberezhnaya Kanala Griboedova.

The Petersburg Angel
This unobtrusive statue by the sculptor Roman Shustov is the embodiment of St. Petersburg’s intelligentsia. An umbrella, an old overcoat, a tattered scarf, an open book, and two wings protruding behind – the figure is the symbolic representation of a citizen who has had a hard life, but has managed to retain a spirit of tenderness, optimism, and love.
Address: Izmaylovsky Garden, 114, Naberezhnaya Reki Fontanki.

Rasputin’s House
This building, with its unusual architecture, has always attracted those with an interest in the occult. Thanks to the notoriety of Rasputin, this is a soughtafter destination for those who believes in mysticism.
Address: 57, Gorokhovaya Ulitsa.

Russia in Miniature
Ever wanted to see all of Russia in one go? In St. Petersburg, there’s a place where you can visit Moscow, Sochi, Vladivostok, and Murmansk. Moreover, this scale model bubbles with life – the time of year and the time of day are
constantly changing, the highways blaze with light, trains race along rails, and the tiny inhabitants are all busily occupied.
Address: 16, Tsvetochnaya Ulitsa

Museum of Street Art
Situated on the territory of an industrial facility, this museum encompasses a wide variety of street art, including a permanent graffiti collection, by the best Russian and international street artists. The museum also hosts a
wide range of festivals, concerts, and screenings.
Address: 84, Shosse Revolyutsii.

Five Corners
This unique road junction has become a Petersburg attraction, thanks to the unusual form and attractive architecture of the main building located there. The location is also notable as the end of Ulitsa Rubinshteina, which
has a reputation as one of St.Petersburg’s main party streets.
Address: 11, Zagorodny Prospekt.

Eliseev Store
A “gastronomic paradise”, to which a visit in Soviet times was like a sightseeing tour to view the culinary delights on sale. The Eliseev family’s store was opened in 1903, and boasts a stunning Art Nouveau building, where the
sumptuous decorations blend seamlessly into the luxury goodies on display.
Address: 56/8, Nevsky Prospekt.

The street that doesn’t exist
You won’t find John Lennon Street on any map of St. Petersburg, but it does exist in the Pushkinskaya 10 Art Center. If you’re looking for a little taste of Beatlemania, it’s worth a visit to see the murals featuring the members of the group, a yellow submarine, and much more.
Address: 10, Pushkinskaya Ulitsa (entrance from 53, Ligovsky Prospekt)

TEXT: VLADIMIR SERGACHEV

Stars of the White Nights
The Stars of the White Nights, an international festival of the Mariinsky Theater, is one of the top ten festivals in the world. From May through June, the festival hosts over 160 performances and concerts featuring world-renowned
opera and ballet stars.

Singing Bridges
One of St. Petersburg’s most impressive spectacles, the opening of the city’s moving bridges, is enhanced even further by the enchanting and memorable show “Singing Bridges”. From June to September, everybody can enjoy popular classic music while watching the raising of Palace Bridge—one of the most recognizable landmarks of the city on the Neva.

Navy Day
On the last Sunday of July each year, St.Petersburg becomes the capital of Russia’s Navy Day celebration. The waters of the Neva and Kronshtadt Port are home to a grand parade of Navy ships and Naval aviation. Anyone who wishes to can climb aboard a real combat vessel!
In the evening, Palace Square hosts a grand celebratory concert, culminating in a massive firework display over the Neva.

Opera for Everyone
Th e international festival “Opera for Everyone” acquaints the public with masterpieces of international and Russian opera in the open air. Th roughout July, the city’s residents and visitors have the opportunity to watch the world’s most popular operas absolutely free. The festival’s organizers bring in the fi nest orchestras, choirs, and soloists from St. Petersburg, Moscow and throughout Europe.

Maritime Assembly
Th e St. Petersburg Maritime Assembly brings together a range of sea and river events in a single week in June. Th e Assembly’s program includes the Waltz of Tugboats, a parade of sail boats and yachts on the Neva, a parade of passenger boats, a SUP-surfi ng festival, a colorful water show called “the Ballet of Sails”, exhibitions and interactive programs on famous sail boats.

St. Petersburg Harley® Days
Part of Harley-Davidson’s offi cial calendar of events, St. Petersburg Harley Days is Russia’s biggest bike festival. Each year, the event draws about 90,000 visitors from 25 countries to the heart of the city. Th e festival program includes a grand motorcycle parade on Palace Square, a night-time illuminated bike parade, an entertainment and music programme, test rides, a custom-bike competition, a stunt-riding show, and the Miss St. Petersburg Harley Days beauty contest. Other events and attractions include the CRAZY WHEELS parade of unusual vehicles, a major trade fair, a children’s playground, and a fi tness zone.

St. Petersburg International
Cultural Forum

The St. Petersburg International Cultural Forum is an international cultural event and forum for discussion that attracts thousands of experts from around the world each year. Among them are stars of dramatic theatre, opera and ballet, outstanding directors and musicians, community leaders, government and business representatives, and members of the academic community. The forum’s many cultural events are complemented by an extensive business program.

Text By Ivan Demidov

Dear Friends,
In May, St. Petersburg celebrated its 315th anniversary. Relatively young by historical standards, this megapolis continues to develop and become more beautiful.
The city has done a tremendous job preparing for the much-anticipated 2018 FIFA World Cup— building a state-ofthe-art 68 000-seat stadium, as well as a new pedestrian access bridge to it across the Neva river. Two new metro stations have been constructed, comfortable buses and subway trains have been purchased, parks and squares have been renovated, and new hotels have been built.
A modern sea port capable of receiving ocean liners facilitates cruise tourism and strengthens St. Petersburg’s position as one of the most visited cities of the Baltic.
We are delighted to see the number of visitors to our city increase each year. It is not a coincidence that three years in a row St. Petersburg has been awarded prestigious international World Travel Awards in various categories.
St. Petersburg is a leading venue for open international dialogue. Each year the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum gathers the elite of international politics and business, and in 2019, the UN General Assembly of the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) will take place for the first time in our city. Then, in 2020, the Northern capital will host the congress of the World Association of Chefs’ Societies.
I wish all our guests the most pleasant and memorable experiences in our wonderful city!

Georgy Poltavchenko,
Governor of St. Petersburg