You read that right. Aside from being the fastest and least expensive way to get around St. Petersburg, the subway system is an architectural and artistic delight. In fact, it’s possible to spend the whole day underground just to admire the splendid stations. That is an attractive idea if your visit is during St. Petersburg’s harsh winter months.
St Petersburg Subway
The buildings which house the stations could easily be mistaken for a government office, a monument of some kind, or even a church. Fortunately, they are well marked by a stylized blue letter “M” to let you know it is a metro station.
Once inside, a brass token (25 rubles – about 90 cents) grants access to the platform below. Buy tokens at the well-marked kiosks inside. Past the gate, the first ride is a long, steep escalator. Owing to the swampy ground of the Neva River Delta, the St. Petersburg subway is one of the deepest in the world, with stations averaging more than 100 meters underground.
Five lines, designated by color, comprise the subway network. English language maps of the network are available in tourist information offices, free city guides found in bars and restaurants throughout the city, and (sometimes) in the stations.
History of the Subway
The first plans for the subway system were drawn in 1899, but world events got in the way. The First World War, then the Russian Revolution of 1917 delayed the start of construction. Work began in 1941, but World War II halted those efforts. Finally, the first line opened in 1951, with slow but steady expansion ever since.
The Subway Stations of St Petersburg
While each of the 62 stations is unique, here is a short description of five of the most impressive.
AVTOVO Station. Built in 1955, his station is adorned with expansive chandeliers and a line of breathtaking marble columns. The colorful mosaic titled “Woman With Child,” is topped with the words “Peace to the World.”
KIROVSKY ZAVOD Station. This station is named after a nearby factory. But with its sweeping columns and wide platform, it looks more like a Greek temple than a subway stop.
PUSHKINSKAYA Station. Named after Alexander Pushkin, this is one of the most beautiful stations in St. Petersburg. The centerpiece is a huge statue of a pensive Pushkin standing watch over commuters.
NARVSKAYA Station. The sculpted figures inside this station gaze at an empty space, once occupied by a statue of Stalin. All images of the ruthless former dictator were removed in a nationwide denouncement of his harsh reign.
PLOSHCHAD ALEXANDRA Station. The most notable feature here is the colorful mural inside the entrance. It depicts Russia’s defeat of Swedish invaders in the 13th century.
St. Petersburg Tourist Information
St. Petersburg’s subway runs from 5:30 am to midnight, seven days a week. Trains pass each platform on average about once every three to five minutes. The network transports nearly 3 million travelers every day, so keep one hand on your valuables, especially during crowded rush hour. Children under the age of seven ride free.
James Sajo - Jim Sajo is a freelance writer living in Northern Italy. Follow him on Facebook at Jim Sajo The Writer.
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