Saint Isaac's Square, Central square in Saint Petersburg, Russia
Saint Isaac's Square sits between Admiralty Prospekt and the Mariinsky Palace, forming an open space around the cathedral. The surrounding buildings follow a symmetrical layout with neoclassical facades, while the Moika River crosses the western edge of the square.
The area served as a marketplace in the 18th century before becoming an administrative center in the early 19th century. The Mariinsky Palace was built between 1839 and 1844 as a wedding gift for the daughter of Nicholas I.
The square takes its name from the cathedral at its center and connects government buildings with religious architecture. Visitors notice the equestrian statue of Nicholas I, commissioned by his son and showing the tsar in military uniform.
The square is easy to reach on foot and sits near main roads leading in all directions across the city center. Morning or late afternoon works best, when light shows off the neoclassical architecture clearly.
The Blue Bridge over the Moika reaches 97.3 meters (319 feet) in width, making it the widest bridge in Saint Petersburg. Its size makes it feel more like a continuation of the square than a separate crossing.
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