St. Petersburg Apartment

Timeless and Graceful

All of the grandeur of pre-revolutionary Russia still exists in this vacation home rental in St. Petersburg. We love the elegant architectural detail and eclectic mix of furnishings and decor that give it a timeless and graceful style.

Located directly opposite the garden of the Academy of Arts on Vasilievsky Island, this vacation home rental in St. Petersburg recalls the splendor of pre-revolutionary times. Within walking distance of the Neva River with the center of the city spread out before you, the area is at the very heart of the city. 

Built in 1861 for a prominent merchant, the house is one of several 19th-century mansions and apartment blocks initially used as both a private residence and a base for business. Home to a thriving arts scene, the neighborhood is filled with artistic life that was (and still is) typical of this area. The landscape painter Ivan Shishkin lived here in 1880 as did the prolific architect Vasily Shaub in 1902 (two houses designed by Shaub stand further along the street) and the poet Nikolay Gumilev in the summer of 1914 before joining up to fight in the First World War.

The apartment stretches halfway along the front of the building, with an enfilade of interconnecting rooms including two living rooms, two bedrooms and a small library with multiple windows overlooking the garden of the Academy of Arts. The kitchen, dining-room and two additional bedrooms face onto the courtyard at the back of the house.

A thorough renovation has restored the original layout and structural detail, so the spaces now flow together in much the same way as they did at the end of the 19th century, retaining a sense of what it was like before the Revolution. Original ceiling moldings, doors, windows and fixtures as well as the Dutch stove (part of the original heating system) are offset by an eclectic mix of antiques and modern pieces that recall both the imperial past and the modern present of St. Petersburg.

Ideally suited for large families or groups of up to ten, this apartment immerses you into the heart and grandeur of this amazing city.

ADDITIONAL FEATURES

Wifi throughout. Kitchen and bath essentials, laundry facilities. Private parking.

AROUND

The port city of St. Petersburg on the Baltic Sea is the cultural heart and soul of Russia. A showplace of imperial might and glorious history, it's a dazzling treasure trove of art and culture. Located next to the bank of the Neva river, with the center of the city spread out before you, this neighborhood is ideal for exploring the abundance of sites. The stunning Hermitage Museum, the Menshikov Palace, the Mariinsky Theatre and St. Isaac's are all within a 15-minute walk. 

A city of vast canals and waterways, there are over 300  bridges lined with palaces and plazas where on summer nights you can catch the ritual raising of the bridges. From the Bronze Horseman and the twin sphinxes crouching solemnly on the embankment in front of the Academy of Arts, the city is home to an fascinating collection of global art. There are also plenty of shops, cafes, and restaurants as well as local markets within a short walk from the apartment with authentic local eats and lively nightlife.

LOCATION

St. Petersburg, Russia. Nearest Airport: Pulkovo (St. Petersburg Airport), (25km)

BEST TIME TO VISIT: May when the famous white nights begin, through October