Now a branch of the Russian Museum with portraits of Russian rulers on display, this castle built for Paul I has a fascinating and mysterious history, which includes Paul's assassination in his own bedroom.

Four blue domes cap the cathedral of this striking, walled-in Russian monastery dating back to the 12th century.

Celebrated Russian poet Alexander Pushkin died tragically in this apartment building, which is now a museum honoring his life and works.

Although the museum's current home is too small to display all 17 million species in the collection, more than half a million are on display in the form of skeletons, stuffed animals and other exhibits.

Located on an island not far from Shlisselburg, the Oreshek fortress was founded in the 14th century. After it was recaptured from the Swedes by Peter I in 1702, it became a key fortress protecting St. Petersburg and a high-security prison.

The museum tells about the life of the city during the 900-day siege in 1941-44b.

Nearly half a million civilians who died in the 900-day Siege of Leningrad (the city's name from 1924-1991)are remembered at this cemetery with mass graves, an eternal flame, a statue of the Motherland, and photographs and documents describing the siege.

One of the best examples of Baroque-style architecture, this splendid blue and white "Sailors' Church" topped with five glistening golden cupolas contains many 18th-century icons, ten magnificent paintings and walls that convey the history of the Russian navy.

Originally a dockyard for shipbuilding, this early St. Petersburg building is known for its beautiful gilded spire, and now serves as a naval college.

This dazzling blue and white Baroque-style cathedral, never fully completed by Winter Palace architect Bartolomeo Rastrelli, is now used for concerts and exhibits.

Climb aboard this massive training ship which belonged to the Baltic Fleet and played a key role in the start of the Bolshevik Revolution in 1917.

This bridge, the first to cross the Fontanka River, has undergone a series of reconstructions and is noted for its elaborate cast-iron fencing and striking horse and human sculptures.

The modest palace is set amid the lovely Summer Gardens, where Peter the Great held "assemblies" attended by aristocrats eager to maintain their social standing.

Shaped like a bell and surrounded by 128 bronze figures, this monument to Russia's millennium honors the politicians and other people who most contributed to the development of the country between 862 and 1862.

One of the oldest stone buildings in Russia, this magnificent cathedral is considered to be the symbol of the city, and was once the hiding place for Novgorod's treasury.

Wander through the elegant restored rooms of this stylish mansion occupying most of Yelagin Island, and don't miss the beautiful adjoining park and Butter Meadow.

Contrasting architectures and wide open spaces are the hallmarks of this extraordinary plaza, which has witnessed historic events like Bloody Sunday and the storming of the Winter Palace and is now the rallying place for every imaginable political demonstration.

This 155-foot red granite column in Palace Square honors Russia's victory over France in the Napoleonic Wars, and is considered a remarkable engineering accomplishment.

A St. Petersburg signature, the two Egyptian sphinxes of Amenhotep III that grace the front of the Academy of Fine Arts Museum date to the 15th century B.C.

This spit of land is located on the edge of Vasilievsky Island overlooking the Peter and Paul Fortress and the Winter Palace.

An open-air museum has remarkable 17th and 18th-century wooden churches.

The site of the royal park and extravagant Chinese Palace.

One of the widest bridges in the world, this partially blue cast-iron bridge was built in 1818 and spans over 319 feet in width.

A pair of white cast-iron lions stands regally at each end of this decorative footbridge built in 1826 to span the Griboyedov Canal.

The eccentricities of Peter the Great are revealed at this museum he established in 1714 where his bizarre collection of vital organs, deformed skeletons, a two-faced calf and more are displayed in the Round Room.

Also known as the Chamber of Facets, this is the only Gothic style building in the Detinets, once used for court sessions and now housing a museum with arts and crafts and an interesting icon collection.

Located inside the Detinets, this museum contains an excellent collection of early icon masterpieces from the 11th to 17th centuries, wood crafts and birch bark manuscripts.

This church is most notable for the frescoes inside which were painted by Feofan Grek, one of Russia's most celebrated icon artists.

A part of the Moscow kingdom in the 17th century, the city of Novgorod had begun to adopt Moscow’s architectural style, typified by this cathedral.

You won't find a brook here, as it was filled in, but be sure to check out the frescoes inside this very simple and beautiful 14th-century church.