Petrovskaya Akvatoria

St Petersburg


For an idealised view of what parts of St Petersburg looked like back in the early 18th century, this interactive model village is a small revelation. The scaled models of the Peter and Paul Fortress, Vasilyevsky Island, Peterhof, Oranienbaum etc are incredibly detailed with moving horse and carriages and sailing ships.

The ensemble is laid out to reflect the four seasons and lit for both night and day. You'll find it on the 6th floor above the metro entrance.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby St Petersburg attractions

2. Triumphal Arch

0.16 MILES

The two great wings of the General Staff Building are joined by a triumphal arch over Bolshaya Morskaya ul, topped by the Chariot of Glory by sculptors…

3. Zelyony Most

0.16 MILES

The Green Bridge over the Moyka River dates from the early 19th century and was the first cast-iron span in the city.

4. Alexander Column

0.2 MILES

In the centre of Palace Sq, this 47.5m column, topped by a statue of an angel holding a cross, was designed in 1834 by Montferrand. Named after Alexander…

5. Stroganov Palace

0.21 MILES

One of the city’s loveliest baroque exteriors, the salmon-pink Stroganov Palace was designed by court favourite Bartolomeo Rastrelli in 1753 for one of…

6. General Staff Building

0.21 MILES

The east wing of this magnificent building, wrapping around the south of Dvortsovaya pl and designed by Carlo Rossi in the 1820s, marries restored…

7. Krasny Most

0.22 MILES

This cast-iron bridge crossing the Moika River is painted red, hence its name in Russian.

8. Palace Square

0.23 MILES

This vast expanse is simply one of the most striking squares in the world, still redolent of imperial grandeur almost a century after the end of the…