Petersburg Guide
The first jews appeared in St.Petersburg at the same time the city was founded.
Some of them belonged to Peter the Great's circle.
During this tour you will learn about the life of Jewish people during 18-20 centuries and present times.
Some of them belonged to Peter the Great's circle.
During this tour you will learn about the life of Jewish people during 18-20 centuries and present times.
Your Jewish St.Petersburg tour will take 6 hours altogether and include the following:
Sightseeing tour - during this tour you will see the magnificent palaces of the Russian tsars and nobility, romantic bridges and embankments of numerous rivers and canals. In St. Petersburg, Jewish history is interwoven with the general history of the city, so that in all the places that you visit you will learn about their Jewish history.
You'll see Theater Square, which is closely associated with Anton Rubinshtein, the esteemed Jewish composer and pianist who established the Conservatoire, the oldest Russian school of music. Many outstanding figures of the musical world were educated within its walls, including violinist David Oistrakh and master cellist Mstislav Rastropovich.
You'll stop by the Academy of Fine Arts, a famous educational establishment where well-known Russian-Jewish painters such as Isaac Levitan and Marc Chagall were educated.
You'll take a drive along English Embankment where luxurious mansions of Ginsberg and Polyakov used to be. In the heart of the city - Nevsky prospect you'll see an unusual building, constructed on the commission of Ippolite Wavelberg, one of the richest Jews in St. Petersburg.
Stop by the former Stock Exchange on Vassilievsky Island. Many brokers were Jewish.
You'll visit the Grand Choral Synagogue, consecrated in 1893. The Synagogue was constructed in the old district of Kolomna, the center of Jewish life in the 19th century. Thanks to the gracious patronage of Lily and Edmond Safra, this Moorish-style masterpiece of architecture has recently been restored to its former glory.
Sightseeing tour - during this tour you will see the magnificent palaces of the Russian tsars and nobility, romantic bridges and embankments of numerous rivers and canals. In St. Petersburg, Jewish history is interwoven with the general history of the city, so that in all the places that you visit you will learn about their Jewish history.
You'll see Theater Square, which is closely associated with Anton Rubinshtein, the esteemed Jewish composer and pianist who established the Conservatoire, the oldest Russian school of music. Many outstanding figures of the musical world were educated within its walls, including violinist David Oistrakh and master cellist Mstislav Rastropovich.
You'll stop by the Academy of Fine Arts, a famous educational establishment where well-known Russian-Jewish painters such as Isaac Levitan and Marc Chagall were educated.
You'll take a drive along English Embankment where luxurious mansions of Ginsberg and Polyakov used to be. In the heart of the city - Nevsky prospect you'll see an unusual building, constructed on the commission of Ippolite Wavelberg, one of the richest Jews in St. Petersburg.
Stop by the former Stock Exchange on Vassilievsky Island. Many brokers were Jewish.
You'll visit the Grand Choral Synagogue, consecrated in 1893. The Synagogue was constructed in the old district of Kolomna, the center of Jewish life in the 19th century. Thanks to the gracious patronage of Lily and Edmond Safra, this Moorish-style masterpiece of architecture has recently been restored to its former glory.
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Today the Grand Choral Synagogue is not only a magnificent architectural monument, but also a "pulsing heart" of the city's Jewish community.
The Synagogue has the main hall for Sabbath services, rooms for the rabbi and the cantor, a lovely wedding hall, a meeting hall for community members, a library, and a mikva in the basement. Next to the main building of the Synagogue, there is a small synagogue for daily services. It has a stunning feature outside: a lifesize photograph of the Jerusalem Wailing Wall that has been transferred to fabric and hangs on a long brick wall. The connection that you feel is amazing as you know you are standing in Russia, yet in front of you is this very solemn scene, almost real.
Upon your wish, you can visit the shop "Kosher" (opened in 2003). It's a non-profit shop, all the money made goes to the charity programs run by the community.
You will also visit the new YESOD building (the word "Yesod" means "foundation" in Hebrew). Yesod is the House of St.Petersburg Jewish Community. This major Jewish centre opened its doors in September 2005. Yesod has programs for all ages. You will be taken to different departments to see the work of Yesod and watch the documentary about the Jewish community in St.Petersburg.
The Synagogue has the main hall for Sabbath services, rooms for the rabbi and the cantor, a lovely wedding hall, a meeting hall for community members, a library, and a mikva in the basement. Next to the main building of the Synagogue, there is a small synagogue for daily services. It has a stunning feature outside: a lifesize photograph of the Jerusalem Wailing Wall that has been transferred to fabric and hangs on a long brick wall. The connection that you feel is amazing as you know you are standing in Russia, yet in front of you is this very solemn scene, almost real.
Upon your wish, you can visit the shop "Kosher" (opened in 2003). It's a non-profit shop, all the money made goes to the charity programs run by the community.
You will also visit the new YESOD building (the word "Yesod" means "foundation" in Hebrew). Yesod is the House of St.Petersburg Jewish Community. This major Jewish centre opened its doors in September 2005. Yesod has programs for all ages. You will be taken to different departments to see the work of Yesod and watch the documentary about the Jewish community in St.Petersburg.
The Jewish cemetery is located on the outskirts of the city. It is a stone manuscript of the history of the Jewish community in Saint Petersburg. In this cemetery there are tombs of many prominent personalities of the Jewish community of the city.
OPTIONAL:
Upon Your wish, I can arrange a tour to the Russian museum as part of your itinerary.
The State Russian Museum houses the world's biggest collection of Russian art from ancient icons to avant-garde works. Among its treasures there are also works by Jewish painters and sculptors, such as Isaac Levitan, Mark Shagal, Leon Bakst, Mark Antokolsky, that became part the Russian culture without losing their connection with the Jewish traditions.
It's possible to combine Jewish and general sightseeing, especially if You are on a cruise and have but limited time in St.Petersburg.
I will tailor the program of your stay to make it as much personalized as possible, so that you could remember it for years.
OPTIONAL:
Upon Your wish, I can arrange a tour to the Russian museum as part of your itinerary.
The State Russian Museum houses the world's biggest collection of Russian art from ancient icons to avant-garde works. Among its treasures there are also works by Jewish painters and sculptors, such as Isaac Levitan, Mark Shagal, Leon Bakst, Mark Antokolsky, that became part the Russian culture without losing their connection with the Jewish traditions.
It's possible to combine Jewish and general sightseeing, especially if You are on a cruise and have but limited time in St.Petersburg.
I will tailor the program of your stay to make it as much personalized as possible, so that you could remember it for years.