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Places to Visit in Russia

Nordic Cruises offers enough amazing attractions to keep you busy 3,  4 or 6 days and even longer. These Baltic cruises from Helsinki to St. Petersburg and Moscow tours gives you a chance to explore major highlights of Russia.

How to enjoy St. Petersburg’s famous drawbridges

26 Jan

Drawbridges in St. Petersburg

Imagine this–you’re walking back to your hotel or apartment on one of those famous white nights of St. Petersburg where it never quite gets dark. Your visa-free St. Petersburg trip has been great so far. The city is beautiful, the weather is perfect, but you’re looking to get some well-deserved sleep after a long day of sightseeing. The only problem is, the way to your accommodation seems to be blocked! By what? Well, it’s a section of road, raised almost vertically right in front of your face.

Visa-free St. Peterburg

Congratulations–you’ve come face-to-face with one of St. Petersburg’s famous drawbridges. Almost every night from May to November, 9 to 12 bridges are raised to allow passage of cargo ships from the river Neva to the Gulf of Finland. Some people think this is only for show–to make tourists happy. Not so! There is a real and practical reason to raise St. Petersburg’s drawbridges.

These bridges are unique in the world. Nowhere else is there such a number of bridges that are raised daily. They are truly one of St. Petersburg’s great calling cards.

How to enjoy St. Petersburg’s famous drawbridges

There are a couple of ways to best experience the drawing of the bridges on your visa-free St. Petersburg trip.

The first is to watch from a point on the Palace embankment between the Palace and Troitsky (in English – Trinity) Bridges. These two are probably the most famous and popular of the drawbridges in St. Petersburg. Many people try to see the Palace Bridge drawn up and close, then try to rush to the Troitsky Bridge. But it’s too far away to get there in the time between when the Palace Bridge finishes rising and when the Troitsky starts. Instead, you can park yourself halfway on the Palace embankment in a place where you have a good view of both bridges and enjoy the show without rushing.

Another good viewing spot for the raising of the Palace Bridge is on the “opposite shore,” on the University embankment or on the Spit of Vasilievsky Island.

Who says you have to watch from dry land? Boat trips are available and seeing one of St. Petersburg’s bridges rise from underneath it is an experience unlike any other.

Regardless of what you choose to do on your visa-free St. Petersburg experience, don’t miss out on the raising of these majestic drawbridges! The good thing is that you can witness it from April to November– just over half of the year!

visa-free St. Petersburg

The Palace Bridge, St. Petersburg

Drawbridge Openings Schedule, St. Petersburg

During navigation period from April till the middle November thirteen bridges that cross the Neva river are opened for a few hours to let large ships pass. Please follow the schedule below to get successfully to your hotel.
Palace Bridge1:10 am-2:50 am
3:10 am-4:55 am
Trinity Bridge1:20 am-4:50 am
Blagoveshchensky Bridge1:25 am-2:45 am
3:10 am-5:00 am
Grenadersky Bridge1:30 am-4:30 am
Kantemirovsky Bridge1:30 am-4:30 am
Smpsonievsky Bridge1:30 am-4:30 am
Liteiny Bridge1:40 am-4:45 am
Tuchkov Bridge 2:00 am-2:55 am
3:35 am-4:55 am
Volodarsky Bridge 2:00 am-3:45 am
4:15 am-5:45 am
Exchange Bridge2:00 am-4:45 am
Bolsheokhotinsky Bridge 2:00 am-5:00 am
Alexander Nevsky Bridge2:20 am-5:10 am
Finlyandsky Bridge2:20 am-5:30 am

When Your Visa Free St. Petersburg Cruise Docks

27 May

Introducing the Famous Bridges of St. Petersburg

With 342 bridges in the grand city of St. Petersburg, it is almost impossible to move through the streets without crossing a bridge. When your visa free St. Petersburg Cruise docks, pay attention to which side of the Neva River you step down upon! According to a set schedule, thirteen of the more sizable bridges are raised nightly for a few hours to let large boats pass; there is no way for cars or pedestrians to travel across the water. Be sure to check the timetable!

Open Timetable

Drawbridge Openings Schedule, St. Petersburg

During navigation period from April till the middle November thirteen bridges that cross the Neva river are opened for a few hours to let large ships pass. Please follow the schedule below to get successfully to your hotel.
Palace Bridge1:10 am-2:50 am
3:10 am-4:55 am
Trinity Bridge1:20 am-4:50 am
Blagoveshchensky Bridge1:25 am-2:45 am
3:10 am-5:00 am
Grenadersky Bridge1:30 am-4:30 am
Kantemirovsky Bridge1:30 am-4:30 am
Smpsonievsky Bridge1:30 am-4:30 am
Liteiny Bridge1:40 am-4:45 am
Tuchkov Bridge 2:00 am-2:55 am
3:35 am-4:55 am
Volodarsky Bridge 2:00 am-3:45 am
4:15 am-5:45 am
Exchange Bridge2:00 am-4:45 am
Bolsheokhotinsky Bridge 2:00 am-5:00 am
Alexander Nevsky Bridge2:20 am-5:10 am
Finlyandsky Bridge2:20 am-5:30 am

The bridges of St. Petersburg range from picturesque and modest to beautiful and majestic feats of engineering. Look at some superb examples:

On the Neva River

The Palace Bridge is one of the most famous bridges to vault over the Neva River. Dazzling pictures of this bridge grace the albums of every tourist who comes on our visa free St. Petersburg Cruise. The lion sculptures, elaborate railings, and pavilions are an iconic part of the cityscape. Set between Winter Palace and the historic landmarks of Vasilevsky Island, the height of the Palace Bridge was designed to ensure a clear view of the surrounding monuments. Over 30,000 cars traverse this bridge daily, and it is the site of massive traffic jams.

Opened in 1903, the Art Nouveau style Trinity Bridge is elegant and opulent. It features curving cast-iron beams, sculptural streetlamps, and granite obelisks that support two-headed imperial eagles. The name of this bridge pays homage to the Trinity Cathedral, which once stood on the Petrograd side of the river.

The Palace Bridge, visa free St. Petersburg cruise

The Palace Bridge, St. Petersburg

On the Fontanka River

Built on Nevsky Prospekt, the Anichkov Bridge is best known for the bronze-cast Horse Tamers sculptures that crown all four corners of the structure. A close gaze at the railings will reveal fantastical decorations, such as seahorses and mermaids.

The Horse Tamers, St. Petersburg

The Horse Tamers, St. Petersburg

As you tour Nevsky Prospekt as a part of your visa free St. Petersburg cruise itinerary, it is worthwhile to detour about 300 meters south to view the Lomonosov Bridge, named after the accomplished Russian scholar. This bridge no longer opens for passing sea vessels, yet the delightful Doric pavilions that used to contain the drawbridge controls remain, creating its unique and distinctive silhouette.

On the Winter Canal

The Hermitage Bridge arches over water as the oldest and smallest stone bridge in St. Petersburg – in lovely contrast with the awesome architecture of the bridges already mentioned. Built originally as a wooden drawbridge, this charming structure was rebuilt in 1760 from limestone and brick with a granite façade. As a hallmark in the Hermitage and Winter Palace district, the quaint Hermitage Bridge is a popular focus in countless postcards of St. Petersburg. Take a moment during your visa free St. Petersburg cruise to appreciate the classic view of the Hermitage Bridge from nearby Millionnaya Street.

Places to See During Your Visa Free St Petersburg Cruise

21 May

Places to visit in St. Petersburg

Combination of solemn architectural forms, regularly planned avenues and squares, picturesque park and gardens, fantastic sculptural composition, rivers and canals framed by granite embarkments and patterned railling of bridges create unique poetical image of St. Petersburg.

The whole architectonic environment of the city was created in two centuries. Front facades of St. Petersburg are reflected in water of the main thorough-are of the city, Neva River. Austere bastions of Peter and Paul Fortress remind of boisterous and sometimes hard history of the city. The golden spire of Peter and Paul Cathedral that tends to reach sky combined with lengthly line of fortress rampart wall make a laconically stem architectonic silhouette of river facade of the city.

The spirit of Vasilyevsky Island like a huge ship is cutting mighty waters of the Neva River. This grandiose ensemble being a combination of architecture, water and wide open space creates great impression on visitors. The whole scope of the classical Stock exchange House, the Rostrum Columns, the the resilient tape of the embarkment from an integral architectural ensemble of the Northern Capital.

Walking alone Nevsky Prospect surrounded with architectural and cultural monuments of different epochs and styles will be a fascinating and unforgettable experience for you. Classical pavilion of Admiralty, crowned by the golden spire opens the perspective of the main city street. You can enter one of the most beautiful squares of Alexander Column dominates in its center. The column is crowned by the statute of angel who blesses St. Petersburg.

Luxurious baroque facades of The Winter Palace, the solemn rhythm of colonnades of the Ministries buildings, broken by Triumph Arch form one of the most brilliant architectonic ensembles of the world.

A visit to the Cloister of Alexander Nevsky will bring you back to origins of Russian history. This ensemble combines the traditions peculiar to Russian monasteries with the architectural features of the beginning of the 18th century. Imposing Cathedral of Saint Trinity is a monument of the national warrior St. Alexander Nevsky.

Near the steep turn of the river the marvellous well proportioned silhouette of Resurrection Smolny Cathedral of Smolny Monastery seems to be coming up to reach the sky. This masterpiece of the wolds’ architecture is build in Elizabeth’s style.

The Saints Peter and Paul Cathedral, St. Petersburg

The Saints Peter and Paul Cathedral, St. Petersburg

The Hermitage Museum in St. Petersburg

The Hermitage Museum in St. Petersburg, Russia

Winter in St. Petersburg

Winter in St. Petersburg

Visa Free St Petersburg Cruise

Rostral Column in Vasilievsky Island.

 

Uspenski Cathedral in Helsinki, Finland

13 Aug
Uspenski Cathedral, Visit Helsinki with Baltic Cruises

Uspenski Cathedral, Helsinki

Uspenski Cathedral in Helsinki, Finland

Uspenski Cathedral stands proudly upon a hillside on the Katajanokka peninsula, overlooking Helsinki. Aleksei Gornostajev designed the building based on the plan of a 16th century Russian church. The grand structure was completed in 1868. In tribute to the building’s rich history, a plaque hangs on the back of the cathedral to commemorate Russian Emperor Alexander II, who was sovereign of the Grand Duchy of Finland during the construction. The cathedral underwent significant renovations in 1996-1998 and is currently the seat of the Archdiocese of Helsinki in the Finnish Orthodox Church.

As a magnificent display of the Romanesque Revival style, the Uspenski Cathedral attracts about 500,000 people yearly from around the globe. It is the largest Orthodox church in Western Europe, commanding attention with its brick-red exterior, gold and green onion domes, and massive granite pillars. The 13 domes represent Christ and the twelve apostles. Within the striking interior, visitors are awed by various icons and decorations, such as the glimmering chandeliers suspended from the ceiling vaults.

Entrance to Uspenski Cathedral is free of charge. It is open every day of the week – excluding Mondays during the winter. However, because it is closed during ceremonies, our company is advised to confirm the hours in advance. Accessibility via wheelchair is limited, except in the summer when a temporary ramp is erected.

Visit Nordic Cruises today to discover how you can travel to Helsinki, Finland to see this historic gem in person. Why not add in a cruise from Helsinki to Petersburg for the ultimate trip.

Yusupov Palace in St. Petersburg, Russia

05 Jul

Traveling to Russia or St. Petersburg visa-free ? Don’t Miss Yusupov Palace

If you’ve always dreamed of traveling to Russia, here’s your chance to see a key player in Russian history—Yusupov Palace in St. Petersburg, Russia. The former home of the wealthy and influential Yusupov family, the palace took on a more sinister aspect when an assassin used the home to stage the murder of Grigory Rasputin, a controversial, yet influential political figure in turn-of-the-century Russia.

Yusupov Palace Early History

Located on the Moika River, Yusupov Palace has kept most of its original interior, unlike many of its contemporaries.

Close to the famed Mariinsky Theatre, the site originally belonged to one of Peter the Great’s nieces, the Tsarevna Praskovia Ivanovna. During the 18th century, a new owner, Andrei Shuvalov, razed the original wooden structure to construct a new palace designed by French architect Jean-Baptist de la Mothe.

A Famed Murder Mystery

The royal line of the Yusupov family bought the palace in 1830. On December 16, 1916, assassins—with the help of Yusupov heir Felix Yusupov—entered the home, poisoned, shot, and beat Rasputin in the palace basement. Finding the “mad monk” still alive, the killers threw him into the half-frozen Malaya Nevka River. According to most accounts, Rasputin finally succumbed to hypothermia.

In the palace, historians have crafted a display from photographs, papers, and wax figures to illustrate what took place that day, as well as the subsequent investigation. Many details of the killing remain murky even to this day.

The Palace’s Post-Revolutionary History

Following the Bolshevik Revolution, the education ministry of the newly formed Soviet Union appropriated the building but kept most of the original interior. Currently, in addition to the museum, the building hosts theater performances and classical music concerts in the palace’s theater and its white-columned great hall.

Breathtaking Architecture

In addition to the building’s spellbinding history, its architecture alone is well worth the price of a ticket. On its exterior, its imposing white columns and frieze contrast with its golden-yellow walls, creating a sense of immensity and depth.

Inside, white columns repeat its classical motif. A colonnade of lights extends throughout the interior halls. Decorative molding, ceiling murals, and gilded chandeliers give texture and sparkle to the palace interior.

A sweeping staircase of Carrera marble which once stood in an Italian residence creates a dramatic focal point. As the story goes, while on holiday in Italy, Boris Yusupov saw the staircase in his host’s home. Though Yusupov offered a huge sum for the feature, the owner balked. Undeterred, Yusupov bought the entire home, transporting only the staircase back to his palace in St. Petersburg. There it stands until this day.