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St. Petersburg is a ceremonial, imperial city, a true open-air museum, stunning visitors from all over the world with its splendor! If you're visiting St. Petersburg for the first time, you might want to deviate from the usual routes and see the city from a different perspective.
Rooftop Walks
The rooftops of St. Petersburg have always attracted adventure seekers. The dense urban development in the historic center has created a unique atmosphere. A magnet for young people, this spot has become one of the most unusual, yet extremely popular, tourist destinations and a favorite photo spot.
From the rooftops of St. Petersburg, a mesmerizing view opens onto the endless lines of facades, winding streets, and the domes of ancient cathedrals. Here, among the tiled and metal roofing, one feels a special freedom unattainable below, and the city appears in a new, almost fairytale-like form. In the evening, when the lantern lights reflect in the waters of the Neva, a rooftop walk becomes a true journey through another, parallel St. Petersburg—romantic, mysterious, and full of inspiration.
From a bird's eye view, the iconic symbols of the city on the Neva appear in a new light. Romantic souls will forever remember the sunset overlooking St. Isaac's Cathedral, Nevsky Prospect, or the Peter and Paul Fortress. Alternatively, you can enjoy the sunrise here, then head for coffee and donuts at the nearest cafe, fortunately, there are plenty of them in the center.
It's important to understand that locals don't always share the enthusiasm of tourists strolling on the roofs of their buildings. Therefore, don't risk trying to enter an unfamiliar attic. This could result, at best, in a police report and a fine, and at worst, in serious injury. Tour companies and private guides in St. Petersburg offering rooftop tours will take you to these fascinating places legally and safely.
Courtyards and Front Doors
The courtyards, celebrated by classic writers from Dostoevsky to Grebenshchikov, are another recognizable St. Petersburg "feature." The reason for this urban planning feature is rather prosaic. To save space, houses were built very close to each other, forming entire blocks with continuous façades and outbuildings facing the courtyard.
The gloomy beauty of the courtyards conceals a special world, full of secrets and history. Narrow passages lead to ancient front doors with massive doors, wrought-iron railings, and cracked tiles bearing the marks of generations. Here you can see traces of the past – pre-revolutionary mailboxes and old elevators with wooden cabins. These courtyards and entrances preserve the atmosphere of old St. Petersburg, where every corner breathes time and mystery.
Today, some St. Petersburg courtyards are rightfully considered architectural monuments. The most famous are the mosaic courtyard on Tchaikovsky Street, the courtyard of the Nezhinskaya House on Zakharyevskaya Street, and the Bak Apartment Building on Kirochnaya Street. On Maly Prospekt on Petrogradskaya Storona, there's an unusual courtyard in the shape of a regular octagon, with a cast-iron tree "growing" in the center. There are more inconspicuous courtyards, but even they fully convey the city's unique spirit.
St. Petersburg's front entrances also deserve special attention—they bring the city's history to life. Some entrances are striking in their grandeur and luxury, reminiscent of palace interiors, while others are modest but possess their own unique charm. Each entrance preserves memories of the past, and, walking through these quiet spaces, one can feel the breath of old St. Petersburg, with its secrets and leisurely elegance.
In the center, entrance halls with unique stucco moldings, twisted openwork staircases, beautiful ornaments, and stained glass windows have been preserved. The easiest buildings to access are those housing public establishments – shops, restaurants, a post office, or a bank.
- Admire the sky-blue entrance hall with caryatids and cupids in the Kanshin mansion (Kuznechny Lane, 6), now a store.
- The Heidenreich mansion (Tchaikovsky Street, 32), which houses a bank branch, has a magnificent entrance hall with stucco walls and a glass ceiling.
- The Basevich apartment building (Ligovsky Avenue, 65) has retained a luxurious entrance hall with a marble staircase, wrought-iron railings, and stained glass windows reminiscent of Art Nouveau. The building currently houses offices, and access is available during business hours.
- The entrance hall of the former apartment building at 20 Rubinstein Street (now a restaurant) still features an antique Dutch oven, snow-white antique-style sculptures, and multicolored stained-glass windows.
- The entrance hall of the Blok House (65 Nevsky Prospect) is decorated with bas-reliefs, stucco moldings with floral designs, a staircase with a wrought-iron grating, and the floor still features historic Mettlach tiles.
- The Vavelberg Apartment Building (7-9 Nevsky Prospect) boasts a marble-trimmed entrance hall with massive columns and exquisite stucco moldings.
To see as many interesting things as possible and avoid wasting time on the way to the hotel, stay comfortably in the heart of the Northern capital at the AZIMUT City Hotel St. Petersburg or the A-HOTEL Fontanka St. Petersburg.
