Excursions

The National Congress Palace offers wide variety of excursion programs to include Konstantinovsky Palace, the Upper and the Lower parks, the Villas, the Pavilion and the Fort Alexander. The themes of excursion include the history of establishment and construction of park and palace estate from the epoch of Peter the Great, tells you about the palace’s eminent owners, their life and manners and shows the modern life of the estate.

The guests of the National Congress Palace can visit the residence of the President of the Russian Federation, see the unique collection of wines stored in the palace cellars and even taste the most interesting ones. The collection of wine cellars features Hungarian wines, some of the most expensive and rare ones, as well as elite wines of Spain, France, Italy and the New World. 

Along with permanent and temporary exhibits telling about the palace’s past, there are also exhibited precious pieces from the Hermitage collection – articles which used to belong to the members of the imperial family; the estate also conducts the exhibitions of artworks by modern Russian artists and masters of decorative art.

Additionally, in spring and summer the guests are offered the opportunity to see the park territory on mini cars and sailing to one of the most beautiful historical forts in the Gulf of Finland aquatorium, the Fort Alexander.

The excursions are available in Russian, English, German and Spanish daily, except for Wednesdays, from noon to 6 p.m. The cash desk works from 10.00 till 17:00. Please note that the National Congress Palace may be closed for visitors during official events of ceremonies.

Individual visitors can get tickets for any of the offered routes in day of carrying out of excursion in booking office of excursion bureau.
     Visitors can book tickets on bus and sightseeing tours on Konstantin palace and park.
     Please direct all your excursion-related questions to +7 (812) 438-53-60;   fax (812) 438 58 84  

After the summit of 2006 the Excursion Bureau of the Congress Palace was opened. Today ticket offices, souvenir shop, self-service café are located in the Excursion Bureau. The spacious hall with plasma screen (where the films devoted to the Konstantinovsky palace and park ensemble are shown) is used both for comfortable rest in expectation of excursion, and for carrying out lecture classes. The big breadboard model of the State Complex visually shows the Congress Palace. Time exhibitions devoted to the solemn dates, some mini expositions of the subjects of decorative and applied arts from different regions of Russia also take place there. The Excursion Bureau is situated out of especially protected territory and in usual days of work of the Complex the free approach there is provided. 

EXCURSION ROUTES

1) Newborn intention of Peter the Great

During this excursion you will see main halls and sitting-rooms of the Konstantin Palace and hear fascinating story about the history of creating of the palace and park ensemble in Strelna, about the life of its owners, about tragic times of decadence and demolition and about enormous restoration works and nowadays of the State Complex “The National Congress Palace”. Duration: 1,5 hours

2) Present and past century

A tour of suit of halls and sitting-rooms of the Konstantin Palace with a visit to the official apartments of the President of Russian Federation and halls for informal meetings. This tour makes a complete idea of the history of the palace and park ensemble in Strelna and its modern function as a “National Congress Palace”. Duration: 2 hours

3) The masterpieces of the Konstantin Palace

This tour acquaints you with the selected and most valuable works of Russian painting, drawing and arts and crafts items of the XVIII-XIX centuries, collected by G.P. Vishnevskaya and M.L. Rostropovich and as well you will see main architectural masterpieces of the Konstantin Palace – its main halls. Duration: 1,5 hours (a group up to 15 persons)

4) Collection of the Konstantin Palace. Alisher Usmanov’s gift

A tour of the constant exposition where the development of Russian art of the XVIII-XIX centuries, including painting and drawing, porcelain and glass, bronze and malachite and works of folk crafts are represented. This exposition is based on the collection of the well-known musicians M. Rostropovich and G. Vishnevskaya. In 2007 this collection was exposed on the auction of the auction’s house Sotheby’s in London. It was redeemed and gifted to the state by the Russian businessman and patron of art Alisher Usmanov. Duration: 2 hours

5) A tour of the park “Russian Versailles”

This excursion provides a unique opportunity to make a promenade by the paths and along the channels of the revived Lower Park which was one of the first regular parks in Russia. During this tour you can admire magnificent views of the Konstantin Palace and panorama of the Gulf of Finland, see the romantic Grottos and visit the Negotiations Pavilion. The excursion is held during spring-summer period. Duration: 2 hours

6) A tour of the park on the electric vehicle

Since June, 2009 online reservation of the tickets for an exclusive tour of the parks of the palace and park ensemble of Strelna is opened. Within an hour the guide will show you the Upper and the Lower parks which were renewed on the threshold of Saint-Petersburg international economic forum, you will visit the Negotiations Pavilion, admire the panorama of the Gulf of Finland and Vasilievsky Island. The transportation is carried out by the electric vehicles which were used during the G8 summit. The excursion is held during spring-summer period. Duration: 1 hour

7) A tour of the Consular village

This is a tour of the territory of the Consular village which was created to host the Heads of the States, participants of different events of the “National Congress Palace” where you will visit one of the VIP-cottages. The tour is held on weekdays only. Duration: 1,5 hours (a group up to 15 persons)

8) “Secrets of Saint-Petersburg” - exposition of the items of “Naryshkins’ treasure”

The exposition consists of the most valuable items of the treasure which was found on the 27th of March, 2012 during the restoration works in the mansion of Naryshkins on Tchaikovsky Street, 29. The uniqueness of this treasure is undeniable – it consists of more than 2000 silver items, produced in XIX – beginning of the XX century by the best jewelers of the famous Russian and European companies. The diner and tea services, chandeliers, decorative and applied arts items, golden, silver and precious stones adornments, rewards and insignias – all these items has been preserved to our days in a good safety. Duration: 1hour and 10 min (a group up to 15 persons)

 9) Coach tours “A walk to Strelna”

This coach tour begins in the centre of the city from the Anichkov Bridge near the Beloselsky-Belozersky palace, goes along Fontanka quay. During this tour you have the unique opportunity to see a part of old Petersburg – Colomna, St. Nicholas Naval Cathedral and to finish your excursion in Strelna with a tour of Konstantin palace and park. In addition you may reserve a visit to the wine cellars for vintage wine tasting. Duration: 4 hours. Group: up to 40 people. Coach departures: Nevsky prospect, 41, Beloselsky-Belozersky palace 

Group excursions. Group excursion service is possible for groups from 15 persons (1 group) and more. Price for excursion voucher in case of reservation in less than 24 hours, excursions in a foreign language or in Russian language with customer’s translation: 3000 rub. + ticket’s price for each person.Additional excursion service.