Vosstaniya Square is one of the central and most famous squares in St. Petersburg.
The center of the square is decorated with a high obelisk "To the Hero City of Leningrad", and along the perimeter there are historical buildings, including the ground pavilion of the metro station of the same name and the Moscow railway station.
Vosstaniya Square is located in the central district of St. Petersburg at the intersection of Ligovsky and Nevsky Avenues.
The square closes the so-called front (main) part of Nevsky Prospekt-one of the most visited, significant and beautiful streets of the city.
During its history, the square has had several names:
- until 1918, the square was called "Znamenskaya" - after the name of the Znamenskaya Church, which was once located on the square (until the end of the 1930s) ;
- in November 1918, the square was renamed "Ploshchad Vosstaniya" - in memory of the fact that in 1917, the square hosted large-scale events of the February Revolution.
The history of this place dates back to the second mid-18th century, when the Znamenskaya Church was built on the site of the current square (now lost).
As a square, the area was formed by the architect Nikolai Efimovich Efimov in the first half of the 19th century (1840s), in connection with the construction of the St. Petersburg-Moscow railway. So, in the future, the empty land around the church was built up, thereby forming a square.
From May 1909 to October 1937, the equestrian monument to Emperor Alexander III, the work of the sculptor P. P. Trubetskoy and the architect F. O. Shechteln, was located in the center of the square. After the monument was moved to The Russian Museum - in the Marble Palace, where the monument is located in the courtyard of the palace to the present day. The statue is an outstanding monument of Russian monumental sculpture of the early 20th century. Learn more about the Marble Palace…
View of the Marble Palace and the equestrian statue of Alexander III
In August 1941 (during the Great Patriotic War), powerful long-term fire fortifications were built on the square. After the blockade was lifted, the pillboxes were dismantled, and the square began to be restored.
The square acquired its modern appearance in 1985, when on May 8, 1985, a monument was opened in the center of the square - Obelisk "To the Hero City of Leningrad", which is a monument and a reflection of the highest degree of distinction that the city was awarded for the dedication and heroism of its residents during the Great Patriotic War.
The authors of the monument were architects Vladimir Sergeyevich Lukyanov and Alexander Ivanovich Alymov.
The obelisk is a high column-a vertical granite pentahedral monolith, which is mounted on a low pedestal, decorated with bronze high reliefs and crowned with a five-pointed star - the "Golden Star of the Hero". Learn more about the monument…
The southern part of Vosstaniya Square is decorated with a historic buildingMoskovsky Railway Station, which is the main railway station of the city.
Planning and construction of the station (then Nikolaevsky) in the Neo-Renaissance style was carried out in 1844-1851 by the architect Konstantin Ton.
In 1923, the Nikolaev railway was renamed Oktyabrskaya, and the station received the same name. In 1930, the station was renamed Moskovsky.
During the history of the station building was reconstructed and expanded.
Today, the Moscow Railway Station is one of the busiest in terms of passenger traffic in the country. The station accepts and sends long-distance trains, suburban and high-speed trains.
Station address: Nevsky Prospekt, 85 / Vosstaniya Square. Learn more about the Moscow Railway Station…
On the opposite side from the Moscow Railway Station, Vosstaniya Square is decorated with the building of the Oktyabrskaya Hotel, which is considered one of the oldest in St. Petersburg.
The hotel was built in 1845-1857 by architect A.P. Gemilian. In the future, the building was rebuilt.
Initially, the hotel was called "Znamenskaya", then - "Severnaya" and "Bolshaya Severnaya", and after the revolution it became known as "Oktyabrskaya".
Today it is a functioning 4-star hotel Oktyabrskaya with a bar, a restaurant, free Wi-Fi, a 24-hour front desk, a fitness center, a beauty salon, conference rooms and meeting rooms.
Each roomhere will provide you with a private bathroom with a hairdryer, air conditioning, a refrigerator, a work desk, an eclectic kettle and a TV with satellite channels.
Breakfast can be included in the room rate. Link to the hotel
On the same side of the square as the Oktyabrskaya hotel (via Ligovsky Prospekt), there is a ground pavilion of the metro station "Ploshchad Vosstaniya" - the intersection of the red M1 and green M3 metro lines.
The station was built on the site of the former Znamenskaya Church, which was dismantled due to the construction of the first stage of the Leningrad Metro.
The station was opened in November 1955.
The ground pavilion of the station was designed by architects V. V. Gankevich, B. N. Zhuravlev, I. I. Fomin and engineer E. A. Erganov.
The pavilion is decorated in a classic style, consisting of a round building with attached risalites on the sides. The round part of the building is completed by a high rotunda with a spire.
Station address: Ploshchad Vosstaniya, 2.
Memorial plaque on the wall of the pavilion of the metro station, which briefly tells the story of the former Znamenskaya Church
The second lobby of the station "Ploshchad Vosstaniya" is located in the Moscow railway station with exits to the station and Ligovsky Prospekt.
Next to the ground pavilion of the metro station, at the address: Nevsky Prospekt, 114-116, there is a building with a recreated historical facade, in the walls of which there is now a large shopping complex "Nevsky Center". TC website: nevskycentre.
Practical information
Festive events are taking place on Vosstaniya Square.
Coordinates of Vosstaniya Square: 59°55'52"N 30°21'43"E (59.931111, 30.361944).
Nearest metro stations: "Ploshchad Vosstaniya" and "Mayakovskaya".
On Vosstaniya Square, in addition to the OktyabrskayaHotel, you can stay:
The 4-star Park Inn by Radisson Nevsky features a bar, restaurant, free Wi-Fi, private parking, a modern fitness center and a conference center.
Each room here will provide you with air conditioning, a flat-screen TV with satellite channels, a safety deposit box and an electric kettle. Featuring underfloor heating, the private bathroom also comes with a hairdryer, slippers and free toiletries.
Bottled mineral water is provided.
Breakfast can be included in the room rate. Link to the hotel
The 3-star Center Hotel offers family rooms, free Wi-Fi, parking and a 24-hour front desk.
The soundproofed roomsare equipped with a flat-screen TV, a minibar and air conditioning. Some rooms have a seating area. The private bathroom comes with underfloor heating, bathrobes, slippers and free toiletries.
Breakfast is included in the room rate. Link to the hotel
Apart Ligovskiy 51 apartment offers rooms with free Wi-Fi and heating.
Each apartment hasa fully equipped kitchen with a microwave, a seating area, a flat-screen TV, a washing machine, and a private bathroom with a shower and a hairdryer. A refrigerator, stove and kettle are also provided. Link to the apartment
All accommodation facilities in Saint Petersburg, including in the city center and near Vosstaniya Square, can be viewed and booked here
