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Top 10 attractions in Stari
Ozero Borovno
Okulovsky District · 12 km from Stari
Palace Square
Palace Square is the heart of Saint Petersburg. The green and white Winter Palace stands on the north side, and the Triumphal Arch of the General Staff Building on the south side faces the square; passing through the arch leads to Nevsky Prospect. The Alexander Column stands in the center of the square. The column shaft is carved from a single piece of red granite, and together with the angel statue on top, it reaches a total height of nearly 50 m; the shaft alone weighs hundreds of tons. It was erected to commemorate Russia's victory over Napoleon's army and was completed in 1834. Interestingly, the stone column is not fixed to the base but has stood steadily for nearly two centuries solely by its own weight. The angel statue at the top tramples a snake symbolizing the defeated enemy, and the bronze reliefs around the base are engraved with armor and weapons, which are worth walking around to examine closely. This is also the stage for many major historical events in Saint Petersburg. The storming of the Winter Palace during the October Revolution in 1917 took place on the square, and the Saint Petersburg leg of the 2008 Beijing Olympic torch relay also ended here. Today, the square is more like an open urban living room, with flocks of pigeons landing by the column base, and street performers and sightseeing carriages passing by from time to time. To capture the classic shot of the column and the Triumphal Arch in the same frame, stand on the side near the Winter Palace and shoot towards the south. The light is soft in the early morning and there are fewer tourists, making the exterior wall of the Winter Palace and the dark red column shaft look particularly photogenic at this time.Russia · Saint Petersburg
Okulovskiy Krayevedcheskiy Muzey Im. N. N. Miklukho-Maklaya
Okulovka · 12.7 km from Stari
General Staff Building
Located opposite the Hermitage Square, the building is very imposing and harmoniously integrated with the architecture of the Winter Palace. In 1819, the famous architect Zakharov designed the building, which attracted many tourists and became one of the symbols of St. Petersburg. The staff building is a yellow and white curved building with a triumphal arch in the center, commemorating the victory of the Russo-French War in 1812, and there is a sculpture of the goddess of victory on the door. There are many French artworks on display in the building and the former residence of the Prime Minister, Count Nessel-Rodie. There are many marine equipment around the building, and the Nikolai Column in the center of the square.Russia · Saint Petersburg
SMOLNY Historical and Memorial Museum
SMOLNY Historical and Memorial Museum is located at a bend in the Neva River in Saint Petersburg. It is a three-story neoclassical building in bright yellow and white, designed by Italian architect Giacomo Quarenghi and built between 1806–1808. Its name comes from the site where tar for shipbuilding was stored during the era of Peter the Great. The Russian word "Smolny" means "tar." The building was originally a school for noble girls. The school was founded by decree of Catherine the Great and had previously used the premises of the adjacent convent, but moved into this purpose-built new building because the old one was unsuitable for teaching. What truly cemented its place in history was the October Revolution of 1917. The uprising's headquarters were located inside the building, and Lenin worked and lived here for several months. The All-Russian Congress of Soviets, which announced the birth of Soviet power, was also held here, where it passed the Decree on Peace and the Decree on Land. Until the Soviet government moved to Moscow in March 1918, this remained the command center of the Soviet regime. Today, the building serves as the office for Saint Petersburg's municipal institutions and also houses a historical memorial museum. Lenin's former office, residence, and the assembly hall where the congress was held have all been preserved, and you can visit them by following a guided tour arranged by the museum. When visiting, focus on the main facade: a central portico supported by eight columns above a row of arched doorways. The composition is symmetrical and solemn, forming a classic scene for tourists' photos along with the statue of Lenin, which was erected in front of the building in 1927. It belongs to the same architectural complex as the blue-and-white Smolny Cathedral, which can be visited together on foot. The leafy square in front of the building is also perfect for a stroll and taking photos.Russia · Saint Petersburg
Stadion "Smena"
Okulovka · 13 km from Stari
Summer Palace of Peter the Great
Summer Palace of Peter the Great is located in the Summer Garden in the center of Saint Petersburg. It is the summer residence of Peter the Great that has survived to this day and is one of the few buildings preserved from the early development of the city. The palace was built in 1710–1714 by the architect Trezzini and is a typical example of the early Petrine Baroque style: a two-story building with a square layout, a weather vane on the roof, and nearly 30 terracotta reliefs arranged around the exterior walls, with themes mostly taken from scenes of the Great Northern War. Because it was only inhabited during the warm season, the walls were built thin, and the windows used single-pane glass; these details have been preserved to this day. From 1711 onwards, Peter the Great spent almost every summer here. The first floor contained his office and living quarters, while the second floor was reserved for Catherine until his death. Today, it serves as a branch of The State Russian Museum, and the interior largely retains the appearance of the Petrine era: the French-style wood paneling, mirrors, fireplaces, and painted ceilings are all worth a close look. The rooms also display Peter the Great's daily necessities and furniture from that time. The entire building has only a dozen rooms plus two kitchens. It is not large in scale, but almost every room has its own story, making it suitable for a leisurely stroll. The Summer Garden, where it is located, was commissioned by Peter the Great in 1704 and is one of the early royal gardens of Saint Petersburg. The garden is dotted with groups of marble statues, and the cast-iron railing along the Neva River is a backdrop that many people come specifically to photograph. The Summer Garden area is entirely within walking distance of the old city. Nevsky Prospect, the Field of Mars, and the Church of the Savior on Spilled Blood are all nearby, making it easy to string them together into a walking route.Russia · Saint Petersburg
Olimpiyets, Detskiy Ozdorovitel'no-Obrazovatel'nyy Lager'
Okulovsky District · 4.5 km from Stari
The Hermitage Theater
The Hermitage Theater is part of the complex of the famous Hermitage Museum. Its façade is located on the palace embankment, connected to the main buildings of the palace by a round arch bridge spanning the winter canal. Because the Hermitage Theater is a palace theater, it was built for the emperor's family and the special noble family. Therefore, the size of the theater and theater hall is not large (250 seats), and the seating arrangement is also unique. The design and furnishings of the hall are elegant, brilliant and gorgeous. The theatre hall has several rows of marble half-columns, classical stone sculptures of Apollo and the nine muses, and half-reliefs of famous poets and musicians. The fancy seats are upholstered in red velvet and the floor is carpeted. Everything that is performed on stage can be seen from any seat in the hall. The hall of the theatre is characterized by its unique shape and natural perfect acoustics.Russia · Saint Petersburg
Tuutari park
Tuutari park is a popular recreational resort in the Lomonosovsky District of Russia. This modern mountain resort covering an area of 50 hectares offers a wide range of outdoor activities suitable for visitors of all ages. There are several illuminated ski slopes with a height difference of between 60 and 80 meters, which provide excellent conditions for skiing enthusiasts. In addition to skiing, the park also has a sled run, an ice skating rink and cross-country skiing trails, allowing visitors to enjoy a variety of activities in winter. In addition, the resort also offers horse riding, a shooting club and hiking, which provides tourists with a wide range of options. For those tourists looking for accommodation, there are cabins for rent, which are suitable for family and group vacations. Whether in winter or in other seasons, this is an ideal place for recreation, where visitors can enjoy beautiful natural scenery and various outdoor activities.Russia · Lomonosovsky District
Free things to do in Stari
What travelers say about Stari
ExploreitOctober 23, 2025
5.0
Palace Square in Saint Petersburg is truly the heart of the city, offering a stunning blend of history, architecture, and vibrant life.During the day, the square is grand and majestic, framed by the Winter Palace and its colorful, intricate façades. Visitors stroll across the wide cobblestones, enjoy the nearby fountains, and admire the Alexander Column, taking in the rich history and elegance of this iconic spot. The atmosphere is lively, yet calm, perfect for sightseeing and photography.At night, Palace Square transforms completely. The buildings are illuminated with warm lights, highlighting every detail of the Winter Palace and surrounding architecture. The square comes alive with live performances, music, and locals singing and dancing, creating a magical atmosphere. The reflections on the cobblestones add to the charm, making the evening feel both cinematic and unforgettable.Whether during the sunlit day or under the enchanting night lights, Palace Square offers two completely different but equally captivating experiences in Saint Petersburg.
Palace Square
莱利莱April 21, 2025
5.0
The price-performance ratio is very high, the collection is rich, there were not many people when I went, the experience was okay, but the cultural and creative products were too ugly. It is best to go to the Winter Palace and the Winter Palace in two days.
Just be prepared to walk your legs off, the tour route is designed quite reasonably, and you don't have to go back
General Staff Building
游侠半仙September 10, 2026
5.0
The Smolny Palace originated as a monastery built in the 18th century by Catherine the Great to establish a girls' school. Later, Catherine II opened a girls' school, and after the new school buildings were completed in the 19th century, it remained the educational institution for noblewomen until the Russian Revolution, laying the foundation for women's education in Russia.
The central building of the monastery is the beautiful Smolny Church, designed by Rastreli. Construction began in 1748 and was largely completed by 1835, a long and arduous process. Its facade is 220 meters long, with two wings extending 40 meters each, forming the main courtyard of the palace. In the 1960s, eight magnificent columns and seven arched porticoes were added to the main entrance, seamlessly integrating with the Baroque-style Smolny Monastery to its right, successfully blending Baroque and Russian onion-domed architectural styles. Today, it primarily serves as a concert hall.
SMOLNY Historical and Memorial Museum
泰宁根吴承恩December 23, 2020
5.0
It is a very large and beautiful garden. It is located by the sea with a very wide view. There are many plants and they are trimmed in a very layered way. I saw someone taking wedding photos here.
Summer Palace of Peter the Great
小思文February 13, 2020
4.0
The Hermitage Theatre is not a place that can be visited for free. You need to buy a ticket to enter during the performance time. There are many important plays performed here, including classic ballet plays. Many of the facilities in the theatre are also very good.
The Hermitage Theater