thovalai tourist spots

The lure of Thovalai

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: It is the scent of jasmine that first hits you at Thovalai, located at the southern tip of India. Sprawling carpets of colour spread across wide vistas greet you, as you enter here. The air is filled with the thick fragrance of myriad flowers, even as king-size garlands hanging on both sides welcome you. Though located in Kanyakumari in Tamil Nadu, Thovalai has always been the ‘official’ flower market of Kerala. 

A pristine village located in Kanyakumari district which borders Kerala, Thovalai is the perfect getaway for those who are inclined towards nature. A short detour from the National Highway to Kanyakumari near Nagercoil takes you to this village made distinct with its vibrant dash of colours all along the way. To locals, Thovalai is synonymous with flowers of all shapes, sizes and hues.  

The market here begins as early as 4 am. Thovalai is the sole supplier of flowers to many parts of Kanyakumari district and some parts of Kerala. Come Onam, people from border villages flock to this unassuming market-place with its fresh produce on sale at really affordable prices. In addition to home-grown flowers like jasmine, lotus and roses, many varieties of roses and marigold from Salem and Hosur too can be bought from here. 

As you enter the market, the sweet smell of flowers mingles with the background chorus of chirping birds, making you take an instant liking to the place. One cannot but help feel completely at home here, with its friendly banter and atmosphere of camaraderie. Business, however, is brisk with the market winding up by around 8 am. 

A short drive of 13 km from here will take you further to Avaraikulam, abundant with fields of jasmine, rose and a few varieties of marigold, in addition to scores of windmills along the way. Incessant rain last season turned out to be a spoilsport for farmers here, causing a supply shortage of jasmine that have a huge demand among buyers. 

“Though Onam is your festival, it is the farmers of Thovalai who eagerly wait for the festival. Most of us used to be engaged with floriculture. But with flowers no more profitable business, a lot of lands was given for setting up windmills,” says Madhavan, a local farmer. If you feel adventurous and are willing to spend some time, take a detour from Aralvoimozhi on your way back. An 86-km drive through what appears to be a ghat road -with a rough patch of around 20 km in between- will take you through a few historically significant and breathtakingly beautiful places like Kulasekharam, Thripparappu and Thaliyal, finally entering  Nedumangad in Thiruvananthapuram.

 Lush meadows, green ponds, abundant paddy fields and majestic mountainous views greet you all along the route. You also cannot miss the host of brick-kilns on either side of the road. Steep inclines leading to numerous small temples on hill-tops can also be seen as you drive along. The whole journey does not fail to charm you with its bucolic settings embued with rustic beauty, evoking in us a nostalgic longing for days of yore.

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Flower Market, Thovalai

நாஞ்சிலின் நந்தவனம்..  தோவாளை... தோவாளையின் அடையாளம் மலர் சந்தை...

தோவாளை சந்தை

பூவ எடுத்து..  ஒரு மால தொடுத்து வெச்சேனே...  என் சின்ன ராசா....

Flower Market Thovalai, Kanyakumari district

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Top 13 Things to Do in Kanyakumari, Tamil Nadu

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Kanyakumari, which was called Cape Comorin during the British rule of India, is a small coastal town in Tamil Nadu , near the Kerala border. It's renowned for being the southernmost point of India and the meeting point of the Indian Ocean, Arabian Sea, and the Bay of Bengal.

The town has spiritual significance as the abode of the virgin Goddess Kanya Kumari, who is an incarnation of Goddess Parvati, the divine Mother Goddess. Kanyakumari is the place where the goddess is believed to have done penance in order to get Lord Shiva to marry her, which means the town is a popular destination for pilgrims and devotees. People come from all over to bathe in the holy saltwater and make an offering at the temple, but there are many more things to do when visiting Kanyakumari. Read on to discover memorials, palaces, and natural wonders that are worth a side trip during your trip to this South Indian town.

Feel the Rush of Water at Courtallam Falls

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If you want to get out of the city, a trip to the roaring waters of Courtallam Falls is a great way to do just that. It takes about three hours to drive the 76 miles (123 kilometers) to the natural park, but once you get there, you'll find nine beautiful waterfalls that have been featured as a backdrop in many classic and contemporary Bollywood films. It was also a subject that the poet Thirukudarasappa Kavirayar sang about in his work, "Kutraala Kuravanji." In the summer, you may be able to witness Saral Vizha, an eight-day festival where people come to bathe in the falls, whose water is said to contain therapeutic properties. The nearest town is Tenkasi, which also has a train station if you prefer to travel by rail.

Savor the Local Cuisine

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Every region of India can proudly present its most treasured dishes, and Tamil Nadu and the town of Kanyakumari are no different. Here, you can try everything from savory appam pancakes, which are made from fermented rice batter and coconut milk, to dishes like maravazhi kilangu, which is a boiled tapioca root with fish curry. You can also expect to find a lot of jackfruit and banana used in the local cuisine, with pazha bajji— ripe bananas dipped in batter and fried in hot oil—a must-try treat. To wash it all down, try some tropical drinks like Nungu Sarbath , a palm fruit-based juice.

Visit Vivekananda Rock Memorial

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Revered Indian poet and Hindu philosopher Swami Vivekananda visited Kanyakumari in 1892, towards the end of an extensive trip across India as a wandering monk. His transformation into an influential leader and reformer is attributed to the three days he spent meditating on a large offshore rock, where Goddess Kanya Kumari is said to have carried out part of her penance by standing on one foot. According to ancient Hindu texts, the Puranas , the rock was blessed by the touch of her foot.

A memorial was built on the rock in 1970 to honor Swami Vivekananda. It consists of a pavilion with a life-size bronze statue of Swami, a hall with information about his life, and a meditation area. There's also a carving of the Goddess' foot on the rock.

Visit the Thiruvalluvar Statue

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A towering statue of the great Tamil poet and philosopher Thiruvalluvar stands on a smaller neighboring rock, just off the coast of Kanyakumari. The foundation stone was laid in 1979 and the work was completed 20 years later, in 1999. Ferries to Vivekananda Rock Memorial stop at the Thiruvalluvar statue afterward if the tide permits. It's possible to go inside the base of the statue and climb the stairs up to its feet for a superb view, as long as it's not closed for periodic maintenance.

Bathe at Triveni Sangam

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The remarkable confluence where the oceans merge, known as Triveni Sangam, is considered to be powerful and sacred. A dip in the water is said to wash away all sins and provide liberation from the cycle of rebirth. Even if you don't want to participate in the ritual, it's still worth spending some time at this unique place and contemplating its essence. Depending on the tide and weather, you may even be able to distinguish the oceans from each other, based on variations in their shades of blue.

Watch the Sunrise and Sunset

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Priceless sunrises and sunsets, on Kanyakumari's watery horizon, are among the finest in India. Sunrise, alongside the Thiruvalluvar statue, is arguably the most majestic of the two. However, sunsets are particularly special on full moon nights, when the moon rises from the sea opposite the setting sun at about the same time. The following morning, it's possible to see the sun rising and the full moon setting together. Seaside sunset views are best enjoyed from the beach between December and February (and are only really visible from mid-October to mid-March).

Pay Your Respects to Goddess Kanya Kumari

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The town's 3,000-year-old Kumari Amman Temple (also known as Arulmigu Bhagavathy Amman Temple) is dedicated to Goddess Kanya Kumari, who is worshiped as a great protector after destroying the mighty demon king Banasura. This important temple sits by the sea near Triveni Sangam and has a beautiful black stone idol of the goddess. The standout feature is her sparkling bejeweled nose ring. Non-Hindus are allowed to enter the temple, but photography is prohibited. If visiting in October, try to visit during the Navratri Festival .

See Where Gandhi's Ashes Were Kept

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Mahatma Gandhi visited Kanyakumari a couple of times, and some of his ashes were scattered into the sea there on February 12, 1948. A memorial was later constructed at the location where the ashes were kept for public viewing, near Kumari Amman Temple. Its architecture resembles that of temples in Odisha and the design is quite exceptional. Every year at noon on October 2, Mahatma Gandhi's birthday, the sun's rays fall through a hole in the temple's roof and onto the place where the ashes sat in an urn.

Browse the Shops and Stalls

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Shells, painted shells, handicrafts made from shells, and products decorated with shells dominate the souvenir selection at Kanyakumari. They're sold everywhere and collectors will love them! You can even get a customized shell with your name engraved on it. Vendors line the seafront walkway with an array of colossal shells. You'll find more in the shops on atmospheric Sannathi Street, which is the main market area that leads to Kumari Amman Temple. This market has shops selling lovely woven handloom saris as well.

Explore Vattakottai Fort and Beach

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About 15 minutes north of Kanyakumari, the 18th-century Vattakottai Fort dates back to the rule of the Venad kings of Travancore who developed the area as a coastal military base. It was the last seaside fort they built and it is now being maintained by the Archaeological Survey of India. The fort provides fantastic views of the Bay of Bengal and the Western Ghats, making it a good spot for photography. There are no entry fees to visit.

Go on a Day Trip to Padmanabhapuram Palace

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About an hour northwest of Kanyakumari, the town of Padmanabhapuram is a popular day trip with regal heritage. It was once the capital of the princely state of Travancore before the king relocated the capital to Trivandrum (now the capital of Kerala) in 1795. The main attraction is Padmanabhapuram Palace, which dates back to 1600. The largest wooden palace in Asia, it boasts admirable craftsmanship and architecture—particularly with the detailed woodwork on the walls and ceilings. The palace complex includes a museum and is spread out over more than six acres within a fort.

Be Dazzled at Thovalai Flower Market

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You probably wouldn't expect one of Asia's largest wholesale flower markets to be in a village 30 minutes north of Kanyakumari. The area around Thovalai specializes in growing flowers, particularly an unusual variety of jasmine, and the market there brims with piles of scented buds. Vibrant roses and marigolds add to the colorful spectacle. The market opens before sunrise, so plan to get there early before all the best flowers are gone.

Drive Through One of the World's Largest Wind Farms

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If you're interested in renewable energy, you can combine a trip to the Thovalai flower market with a drive through Muppandal Wind Farm by continuing about 15 minutes further along National Highway 944. Notably, it's one of the largest onshore wind farms in the world and India's biggest source of wind energy.

Its motley assembly of more than 3,000 turbines stretches for miles, curiously intermingled with palm trees and banana plants. The farm produces 1,500 megawatts of power in total; to put that into perspective, a single 2-megawatt wind turbine can power 400 houses. The fact that the turbines are sponsored and commissioned by private companies accounts for the lack of uniformity in their design.

The town of Kanyakumari is named after the Hindu Goddess Kanya Kumari, an incarnation of the divine Mother Goddess. A popular pilgrimage destination, devotees travel to Kanyakumari to make an offering at the Bhagavati Kumari Amman temple, which is dedicated to the virgin Goddess. Kanyakumari is also famous for being the southernmost point in India.

The best time to visit Kanyakumari is from October to March, when average highs are around 89 degrees F and average lows are around 63 degrees F. October is a particularly popular month to visit thanks to the three-day Cape Festival. In addition to hosting cultural programs like traditional dances, the festival invites people to take a holy dip in the Triveni Sangam, where the Bay of Bengal, the Arabian Sea, and the Indian Ocean meet.

Tamil and Malayalam are the two most commonly spoken languages in Kanyakumari.

Utsav. "Saral Vizha, Courtallam." Accessed October 13, 2022.

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Weaving garlands in Thovalai flower market

The little sparrow chirps away merrily as it hops on and hops off from one mound of marigolds to the other. It is soon joined by another bird as they call out to each other, perhaps sing duets, as they discover another small hillock of flowers, heaped with jasmines.

Thovalai market

I follow them to see long garlands of dark pink roses huddled together, almost touching the ground. More heaps of roses – this time in shades of orange and red fill the eyes. I look around and it feels like an entire playground is filled with flowers here, giving out a heady fragrance.

I am in a little village called Thovalai near Nagercoil in Tamil Nadu, where flowers bring cheer to the locals here. In Thovalai flower market, every tiny shop greets you with a palette of colours filled with garlands of oranges and yellows, whites and pinks. I am in one of the biggest wholesale flower markets watching bargains strike early in the morning. The roses are getting packed, even as the morning dew has not left them, and the pretty white jasmines, referred to as “Pichchi Vellai”, looking fresh and innocent are selling like hot cakes here. Thovalai is a quintessential flower town, where several acres of gardens produce fresh flowers that are even exported today.

Weaving garlands in Thovalai

I am however searching amidst these colourful flowers for a family who has been weaving garlands for the deity in the Padmanabhapuram temple every single day of their lives over the last four generations. I cut across heaps of chrysanthemums and marigolds, jasmines and roses to walk through narrow lanes until I reach the home of Muthamperumal. Sitting on a charpai, an elderly man in his sixties is surrounded by baskets filled with pink and white nerium oleanders as he is busy finishing the garland for the deity. His two year old grandson has just woken up, while his five year old granddaughter is all ready for school in her pretty uniform.

Muthamperumal’s wife soon joins him, bringing him a cup of coffee as she starts helping him with the garland. The flowers are fresh and his fingers work magic on them as they look like gemstones sparkling in the morning light. Five rows of the nerium oleander glow like rubies, giving this type of garland a unique name – “Manikkam Maalai.“ or the garland of rubies. “There is a special technique here, see, you can hardly see the petals or the thread; the flowers are folded in such a way that they look like precious stones,” explains Muthamperumal.

“Manikkam Malai” or the garland of rubies

Muthamperumal was a six year old when he learnt the technique from his father who learnt it from his grandfather and the art has been passed on from generation to generation.  His young granddaughter quickly shows off her skill before running away to school, while her younger brother watches them with curiosity.

This garland is little more than a foot long, but he has woven garlands which are more than even twelve feet in length. Arranged in rows of five or seven or eleven, the design is first sketched on paper and then the flowers are counted and arranged precisely before the fingers start working on the thread. “ It’s an art and a science mixed together, “ says Muthamperumal, who is now ensuring that this technique does not die with his family. Along with the Crafts Council of Tamil Nadu, he has started teaching people on the art of “Manikkam Maalai.”  Recently he was even conferred an award by the Council for his skill as an artist and his contribution to the art.

As we talk, his fingers continue to work while the passion radiates in his eyes as he lovingly puts the finishing touches to the garlands.  Soon three garlands will leave for Trivandrum and we are on our way to Tirunelveli.   As we leave, I wonder how much is packed into a small garland of fragrant flowers as we often take simple arts and crafts like this for granted.

This article on Thovalai flower market was published in my column Inside Story in The Hindu .

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very nicely written and gives a real insights of the life of these people…… http://rediscoveryourdreams.wordpress.com/

Thanks so much..I often realize that travel is not just about places..its about people who make these places interesting

Lovely read. Thank you.

wanted to contact the person for manika malay .please share the contact number

I am Johnlin am the director of Visit Tamilnadu Tourism Development & Promotion Organisation. We are going to release a exclusive travel magazine for Tamilnadu Tourism the name of Visittamilnadu its a monthly .can you write one article for our magazine every month.?

how many rate in yellow sevanthi flower in thovalai

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Next is the tour to Thovalai, the market of flowers.  Thovalai is a beautiful village surrounded by hills and located in the Kanyakumari District of Tamil Nadu.  Thovalai stands first in Asia in the field of generation of electricity from wind.

The main attraction and the major source of income of the place is flower trade.  Majority of the people of this village are engaged in the floral industry.  Thovalai is a place of natural beauty.  Murugan Kovil, a temple on top of the hill, is a famous one.  The village of Thovalai can be seen almost wholly from the top of this hill.  The paddy fields, the flower farms that extend to even the boundaries of each house and the lively Tamil village life are something to be seen and enjoyed.

Thovalai is the main fresh flower source of Kerala.  The fresh flower market that starts early in the morning are something that should not be missed out.  Wild jasmine, Chrysanthemum, Globe Amaranth [Vadamalli], Jasmine, etc. among others create a world of colors in the flower market.

Flowers are sold wholesale as well as retail in this market.  Here, we can see people sitting and making flower garlands; making garlands of different colors and different sizes with hands that move faster than machines needs a tremendous amount of skill.

The scent of the flowers, the bustle of flower bidding, all these create a festival atmosphere when the market is open.  The celebration of colors that can be seen here is the result of hard work that the members each family put in.

Thovalai fresh flower market can aptly be described as a group of hills of varied colors.  Flower farms of different sizes and having different colors that we see on the sides of Nagercoil-Thirunelli highway and the interior regions, as well as vast areas of windmills add to the beautiful morning scenery of Thovalai.

The important flowers of Thovalai are Jasmine and Wild Jasmine.  The festivals of Malayalis are best remembered by the people of Thovalai as the flower farming is based on the festivals and celebrations of Malayalis; especially, the Onam Festival celebrated by Malayalis is a season of plenty for Thovalai.  They take a lot of pain to make flowers of different types available from Atham itself, which is the first day of Onam celebration.

I met with a person in Thovalai who took me to a place saying that he will show me something.  What I saw left me wonderstruck.  I saw a large piece of turf.  Only when I went close did I understand that it is a forest of basil plants [Tulsi].  It extends to around 10 acres of land.  Around 200 to 250 kilos of basil flowers are transported daily from here to Guruvayur Temple.  In Tirunelveli and Kanyakumari Districts, there is around thousand acres of land cultivated with basil.

The flowers available in Thovalai Market are not just the ones cultivated here.  Flowers from Hosur, Rajapalayam, Dindigul and Madurai as well as roses and decoration flowers from Bangalore are also available in Thovalai.  Seeing and hearing the story of colors left me with a smile on my face and I left the place with that smile.

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19 Top-Rated Tourist Attractions in St. Petersburg, FL

Written by Lura Seavey and Lana Law Updated Dec 24, 2023 We may earn a commission from affiliate links ( )

The city of St. Petersburg, known locally as St. Pete and famed for its perpetual sunshine, lies on the Pinellas Peninsula on the central Gulf Coast of Florida, between Tampa Bay and Boca Ciega Bay. Off the western side of the peninsula is a chain of long, narrow islands with some of Florida's best beaches.

The city is compact and easy to navigate. Many of the top attractions are near one another, making visiting more than one in an afternoon an easy task. St. Petersburg is one of Florida's cultural hot spots with a fine selection of world famous institutions, including the Dali, Imagine, and Fine Arts Museums along with the Morean Arts Center.

However, St. Pete's isn't all about culture. Mere minutes away is St. Pete's Beach and the gorgeous soft sands and warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico. Turning inland, the city of Tampa is another fun place to explore, with more things to do and great restaurants.

Explore the best places to visit in the city and surrounding areas with our list of the top attractions and things to do in St. Petersburg.

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1. Soak Up the Sun at St. Pete Beach

2. the dali museum in st. petersburg, 3. see nature come alive at the sunken gardens, 4. head out to the new st. pete pier, 5. explore beaches and history at fort de soto park, 6. check out the colorful chihuly glass collection, 7. st. petersburg saturday morning market, 8. waterfront arts district, 9. imagine museum, 10. museum of fine arts, 11. enjoy some nature at the boyd hill nature preserve, 12. drive the sunshine skyway bridge, 13. run, walk, or cycle the pinellas trail, 14. weedon island preserve, 15. great explorations children's museum, 16. clearwater marine aquarium, 17. visit john's pass village & boardwalk, 18. take a drive to clearwater beach, 19. sand key park, where to stay in st. petersburg for sightseeing, tips and tours: how to make the most of your visit to st. petersburg and clearwater, map of attractions & things to do in st. petersburg, fl, saint petersburg, fl - climate chart.

Just a 20-minute drive from downtown St. Petersburg is the fun beach town of St. Pete Beach. Home to a spectacular wide and long stretch of soft, golden sand lapped by warm, clear water, St. Pete Beach has been drawing legions of visitors for years. The list of things to do in St. Pete Beach is long, and includes lazing on the beach (of course!), parasailing, fishing, jet skiing, and frolicking in the ocean.

An assortment of accommodation is available, ranging from old-school Florida hotels to condos, right through to luxury resorts. Restaurants along the main street all have outdoor patios, perfect for grabbing a light lunch or a pleasant dinner once the heat of the day has passed. St. Pete Beach is just one of many fantastic beaches along this stretch of coastline; others include Treasure Island, Madeira, Redington Shores, and Indian Shores.

The Salvador Dali Museum in St. Petersburg houses a comprehensive collection of paintings by this Surrealist master, with a total collection of more than 2,000 works of art. Dali's entire artistic career is represented, from his early work in Impressionism and Cubism to later experiments in more "Classical" styles.

Oil paintings, watercolors, original drawings, sculptures, graphics, photographs, and prints are among the exhibits. The Dali Museum Library and Center for the Avant-garde are also housed here, which preserve books, magazines, newspaper clippings, and other important documents related to Dali, Surrealism, and Avant-garde influences.

Address: One Dali Boulevard, St. Petersburg, Florida

Official site: http://thedali.org

The Sunken Gardens began as the hobby of a plumber named George Turner and have evolved into a St. Petersburg institution. First conceived of in 1903, Turner transformed a lakebed into a six-acre tropical garden, which eventually became so popular that he started to charge admission.

The Turner family continued to care for and improve upon the garden, and it was finally purchased by the city in 1999, becoming a community effort. Today, you can walk the paths and enjoy the rare plants, some of which are as old as the garden itself.

You'll have a chance to see tropical flora from all over the world, and enjoy the ambience of waterfalls, footbridges, and even resident flamingos. The gardens also conduct horticultural programs and garden tours, as well as host special events, including weddings.

Address: 1060 Gulf Boulevard, Clearwater, Florida

Address: 1825 4th St. N., St. Petersburg, Florida

Official site: https://www.stpete.org/visitors/sunken_gardens.php

The brand-new St. Pete Pier is a far cry from what used to exist in the same space only a few short years ago. Today the Pier is more than just an extension into the ocean; now it's 26 acres of fun, food, activities, and entertainment.

Blending seamlessly into the surroundings, the pier area is an ideal place to spend an afternoon with the family or an evening out with a group of friends. You'll find six different restaurants ranging from Teak, a fine-dining establishment with fantastic views, right through to the more casual Fresco's Waterfront Bistro offering vistas of the incredible array of pleasure craft moored nearby. For a snack by the beach, pop into the Spa Beach Bistro.

The St. Pete Pier is 3,000 feet long and can be a nice place to visit for a stroll, but it can also feel like a long walk in the hot Florida sun. Fortunately, a tram runs from end to end making a walk out and a tram ride back a popular combination.

Spread throughout the St. Pete Pier area are public works of art , one of the most spectacular being the work by Janet Echelman called Bending Arc . Near the end of the pier is the unique Olnetopia by Nick Ervinck. Also definitely worth checking out is the sculpture of the Benoist Airboat first flown by Tony Jannus in 1914.

Don't worry, you can still fish at the new St. Pete Pier – just walk all the way out to the end, where you'll find a platform. Bait and tackle are available nearby.

Address: 800 2nd Ave NE, St. Petersburg, Florida

Official site: https://stpetepier.org/

Five different keys make up the 1,136-acre Fort DeSoto Park, the largest park in Pinellas County. Most people come here to enjoy the beaches, but numerous nature and recreation trails offer great opportunities for hiking, birding, biking, and rollerblading, and there are also two fishing piers.

The park is named for the fort located on the southern end of Mullet Key , built in 1898 during the Spanish-American War. Remains of the fort can be visited on a self-guided tour, and a small museum with historical information is located in the former Quartermaster Storehouse. Other buildings on-site include civilian quarters, barracks, the bakery, and the former hospital, among others.

This is a particularly popular spot for bird-watchers , home to at least 328 species of birds.

Camping is also popular here. The park has 238 sites just a short stroll away from the beach. Sites have electricity and water; central washroom buildings have flush toilets and showers. The campground has special sites set aside for those traveling with pets. The county has recently upgraded the playground in Campground Area #2, with new features that children will be sure to love.

Camping reservations can be made six months in advance for non-residents, seven months in advance for residents.

Address: 3500 Pinellas Bayway S., Tierra Verde, Florida

Official site: www.pinellascounty.org/park/05_ft_desoto.htm

St. Petersburg is proud to be home to the Chihuly Collection. Found at the Morean Arts Center , the collection is spread out over 10,000 square feet and is housed in a specially designed building. To get the best experience and understanding of the items you are about to see, start your visit by watching the short video on Dale Chihuly's life and his creative methods.

The collection has some of the artist's finest pieces, including Ruby Red Icicle Chandelier, Macchia, Ikebana, Tumbleweeds, and many others. The colors are incredible and varied; the shapes formed are unlike anything you've ever seen.

For a peek into how these amazing pieces of art are formed, be sure to visit the Morean Arts Center Hot Shop (additional fee). Here, you'll see the artists hard at work blowing glass into fantastical shapes.

Official site: https://www.moreanartscenter.org/chihuly/

St. Petersburg is considered one of Florida's most livable cities for its mild climate, cultural institutions, and overall quality of life. Part of what makes it an attractive place to live are things like the St. Petersburg Saturday Market. Each Saturday, over 125 vendors set up and showcase their goods.

It's an ideal place to collect all the freshest ingredients such as meats, cheeses, vegetables, and sweets for your Saturday night get-together dinner. It's also a great spot to search out that eclectic or unique piece of artwork for that blank space on your wall. Feeling a bit of hunger coming on? You are in the right spot. Over 15 different cuisines are represented by vendors cooking up the tastiest dishes you can imagine.

In addition to all the great shopping, local musicians fill the air with the sounds of music. The market runs from 9am until 2pm. In the fall and winter (October 2nd to May 28th), the market is located at the waterfront at the address below. In the summer, it is located at Williams Park, 301 1st Ave N.

Location: 100 1st Street NE, St. Petersburg, Florida

Official site: https://saturdaymorningmarket.com/

Just back from St. Petersburg's waterfront area is a delightful area known at the Waterfront Arts District, one of five located throughout the city. Stately old trees line the streets, and several city parks provide public space to rest and relax. Park the car and just wander around; you'll be amazed at what you find.

The area is home to many of the city's most popular cultural institutions, including the Dali Museum, the St. Petersburg Museum of History, The James Museum of Western & Wildlife Art, along with many others. All are within walking distance of one another.

In addition to the museums, the area is full of shops and restaurants, many of which have lovely shady patios, ideal for lunch or dinner. Walk towards the water past South Straub Park, and you'll come across the St. Pete Pier to your left and Demens Landing Park to your right.

The area is roughly defined as a long rectangle running from Beach Street/1st Street South to 3rd Street and 7th Avenue North and 7th Avenue South.

The Imagine Museum is one of the top museums in the United States for art created out of glass. The museum is the proud home of the extensive Trish Joy Collection of over 1,500 pieces, 500 of which are on display at any point in time. In addition, you'll find other interesting collections, including the spectacular 1,000 Buddha installation.

One of the best ways to experience the museum is to take one of the three free tours included with your admission. The first of the three tours is titled Journey of the Imagination. It is a fascinating multimedia and augmented reality experience.

The second tour is the Introduction to Studio Glass, and details the development of this art form starting in the 1960s.

The third tour, Introduction to International Studio Glass, showcases the evolution of studio glass work in Europe. Tours are generally 30 minutes in length and take place on specific days.

Official site: https://www.imaginemuseum.com/

St. Petersburg's Museum of Fine Arts is considered the premiere art museum in the Tampa Bay area, home to over 20,000 works of art that span 5,000 years of human creativity.

The collection includes Greek, Roman, and Asian antiquities, African art, ancient art from the Americas, and European art. Among the better-known artists featured here are Monet, Rodin, and O'Keefe, and the museum hosts traveling exhibits and temporary galleries.

Collections also include a large photography collection, a gallery of glass art, and a sculpture garden. Docent-led tours are available for full museum tours, and visitors can request tours that focus on the areas that interest them most.

The museum is located in a lovely setting in St. Petersburg's waterfront downtown area.

Address: 255 Beach Drive NE, St. Petersburg, Florida

Official site: http://mfastpete.org

This lovely park is a beautiful retreat for those looking for a little nature. The park features six miles of walking trails and boardwalks that explore the area's varied ecosystems, including swamp woodlands and a willow marsh.

The park is also part of the Great Florida Birding Trail and home to the Birds of Prey Aviary, and rangers provide guided tours, which often spot turtles and other wildlife. The park also offers nature camps and picnic facilities and has a playground, picnic areas, and shelters.

A great way to explore the park is to take one of the tram tours. For a modest fee (in addition to your park admission) you'll cover far more of the park in a shorter period of time and learn about the flora and fauna from an expert.

Also on site is a gift shop, and the park hosts annual nature events like a butterfly count conducted by the North American Butterfly Association.

Located on I 275, the Sunshine Skyway Bridge crosses the water at the entrance to Tampa Bay. This spectacular bridge is impressive from a distance but driving across it offers a unique perspective. Stretching 12 miles in total, a little more than four miles of the bridge rises high above the ocean, allowing for large vessels to pass below.

Two main pillars tower above the road, and the high points add some eye-catching drama to the bridge. It took five years to build, and is now considered one of the world's most beautiful bridges. Views of the bridge are particularly beautiful at night when it is lit up.

If the wind is blowing, pull off at the northern Skyway Rest Exit and check out the kiteboarders racing across the water under their colorful kites.

The Fred Marquis Pinellas Trail, created along an abandoned railroad corridor, is a 37-mile-long park and recreation trail, running from the downtown waterfront of St. Petersburg to Tarpon Springs.

This multi-use trail is enjoyed by walkers, runners, cyclists, and skaters, and features a number of shops, restaurants, and cafes along the route. To help visitors navigate, nine sculptures mark the various communities through which the trail passes.

One of the lovely areas along the trail is Dunedin , a quaint town that has preserved its village-like atmosphere. It began as a seaport and trading center, and is best known today as the spring training camp for the Toronto Blue Jays.

Honeymoon Island State Recreation Area and Caladesi Island State Park are located just off the coast of Dunedin and offer opportunities for both nature and water sports enthusiasts.

The Weedon Island Preserve covers over 3,000 acres in north St. Petersburg on the shores of Tampa Bay and can be explored on foot via nearly five miles of paths and boardwalks, and by water on designated paddling trails along the waterways.

A great place to start is the Weedon Island Preserve Cultural and Natural History Center , which houses a variety of exhibits and resources. This is a free attraction, and visitors will learn about the area's ecosystems, habitats, plants, and animals, and how humans have interacted with nature here over thousands of years. From the center, you can walk out on scenic trails.

If you are interested in paddling or fishing, head to the boat launch area. You can set off from here, and the water is quite shallow in areas. People come here to kayak or stand up paddleboard; kayak rentals are available nearby. Next to the launch is a dock where people come to fish.

This is an excellent place for bird-watching, as well as spotting marine life in the water of this protected flood plain, including stingrays and oysters.

Address: 1800 Weedon Drive N.E., St. Petersburg, Florida

Official site: http://www.weedonislandpreserve.org/

The Great Explorations Children's Museum is an excellent place go on a rainy day, providing a variety of educational activities and fun things to do for younger kids. Children can explore and climb on an ocean-themed play structure, Longo's Cove, or dig in the sand in a beach-themed play area.

Young engineers can build using an assortment of materials provided at the "Build It" tables or stack giant soft blocks to create kid-size structures. Kids can try being a grown-up in the kid-size supermarket, help a sick puppy get better at the veterinarian's office, make "pizza" at the local shop, and learn about safety while exploring the firehouse.

Other interactive areas include an art studio, a theater, and a health and wellness exhibit sponsored by Johns Hopkins.

Address: 1925 4th Street North, St. Petersburg, Florida

Official site: https://greatex.org

Clearwater Marine Aquarium is best known as home to film dolphins Winter and Hope who inspired and starred in the Dolphin Tale movies. Among other residents are sea turtles, otters, pelicans, sharks, and stingrays, as well as an assortment of other fish.

The aquarium has regular shows, which are part of general admission, as well as special tours and activities you can choose as add-ons. One of the most popular is a behind-the-scenes tour, which allows you to see rescued and recovering animals awaiting return to their ocean homes and learn about what it takes to care for these beautiful creatures.

Other offerings include guided kayak and boat tours, which explore various topics, including the ecology of Clearwater Bay and a Dolphin Adventure Tour.

Address: 249 Windward Passage, Clearwater, Florida

Official site: https://www.cmaquarium.org/

Tourist trap or fun place to go shopping and hang out; the jury hasn't made a final determination on this popular attraction. If it's a so-so day or you've had enough culture or beach and are looking for something different, swing by John's Pass. You'll find a boardwalk lined by restaurants with good views over the water and constant boat traffic.

Back from the waterfront is an extensive retail area with over 100 retailers consisting of souvenir shops, ice-cream stands, and places selling things you never thought you needed. Many tour boats leave from here on excursions out into the Gulf of Mexico. Note that parking here is not free, and enforcement is stringent.

Address: 12901 Gulf Lane, Madeira Beach, Florida

Official site: https://johnspass.com/

Clearwater Beach is often rated as one of the top beaches in Florida , and even the United States. Miles of pristine white sand attracts tourists and local sun-seekers, and it's all just a 40-minute drive from St. Petersburg. A number of Clearwater's top resorts look over this beautiful beach.

The Beachwalk , Clearwater Beach's seaside promenade, stretches along the sand and is lined with souvenir shops, restaurants, and other attractions. Another popular spot is Pier 60 , a 1,080-foot fishing pier with numerous amenities, including a large bait and tackle shop, which provides rental equipment to tourists.

Family attractions include a huge beach playground and nightly sunset celebrations with entertainment and vendors

Sand Key Park is located on the barrier island of the same name, and is home to both a beautiful beach and a diverse nature area, if you are visiting Clearwater, it's worth a stop.

The park is part of an ongoing effort to create an artificial reef in the Gulf of Mexico, and also works closely with Clearwater Aquarium to ensure the safety of the sea turtles and their hatchlings.

In addition to its walking trails, Sand Key Park is ideal for bird-watching , where heron, roseate spoonbill, great horned owl, anhinga, and common moorhen nest and feed in the salt marsh.

The park's beach area offers a good range of amenities, including lifeguards during the summer months, concessions, and bath houses. Plenty of rentals are available, so you don't need to lug your own - you can get everything from umbrellas and cabanas to bicycles and kayaks. This beach is also one of the least expensive things to do around St. Petersburg, with only a minimal parking fee.

We recommend these highly rated hotels in St. Petersburg, near popular downtown attractions like the Dali Museum :

• The Vinoy Renaissance St. Petersburg Resort & Golf Club : A 4-star luxury resort, this 1925 landmark property features stylish décor, multiple restaurants, a deluxe spa, and heated outdoor pool.
• Avalon Hotel : This mid-range hotel is located in the historic district and has a funky retro feel. The rooms feature Art Deco décor. Guests have access to an adjacent pool and a free area shuttle.
• Hampton Inn & Suites St. Petersburg Downtown : With affordable rates, a lovely outdoor pool, modern room décor, and free hot breakfast, this hotel checks all the boxes.
• The Inn on Third : This budget-friendly hotel offers quaint décor and antique furnishings.
• Segway through St. Petersburg: Tourists can cover plenty of ground while exploring St. Petersburg by Segway on this guided historic tour . Limited to a maximum of seven people, this intimate tour provides an up-close look at some of the city's most historic spots while a knowledgeable guide provides commentary and answers questions. Safety equipment and Segway operation instruction is included.
• Speedboat Adventure: Tourists can take the wheel and feel the thrill of driving their own speedboat on this two-hour guided tour of Tampa Bay . Communicating with your guide via two-way headset, you will be led past some of the bay's top tourist attractions, including Sunshine Skyway Bridge, Fort de Soto, and Egmont Key, as well as several stops at scenic spots where you can spot marine wildlife like dolphins and manatees. Instruction on boat operation is included.
• Romance on the Gulf: Couples will particularly enjoy this 2.5-hour evening cruise by yacht on the Gulf of Mexico . The cruise features live music and dancing, and passengers can enjoy the views from both the outdoor observation deck and the indoor areas, which feature picture windows to ensure a great view. For those who would like to dine during the cruise, a full-service gourmet restaurant has a wide variety of options.
• Marine Wildlife on Shell Key: Tourists can get a great introduction to Shell Key Island on this two-hour small-group Dolphin Watch and Snorkeling Cruise. The cruise, which offers a variety of departure times to fit your family's vacation itinerary, stops on the shores of Shell Key Island where passengers can choose to swim, stroll on the beach, or snorkel using provided equipment. Guests will also get the chance to look out for sea life on the way to and from the island, including dolphins, rays, and even manatees.

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Family Fun in Tampa: Tampa sits about 45 minutes from St. Petersburg and can be reached via either of two bridges, which span Tampa Bay from one city to the other. Tampa's most popular tourist attractions include Busch Gardens and several other wildlife-focused parks, as well as good museums for families, a historic district, and the Franklin Street pedestrian center. Like many other cities on Florida's Gulf Coast, Tampa is home to several excellent resorts.

Orlando Getaway: While Clearwater Beach is a great day trip from Orlando , tourists staying here can just as easily head inland for a day in the nation's theme park capital. The city of Orlando is home to top family amusement parks like Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando, and also close to the Kennedy Space Center at Cape Canaveral.

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13 Things To Do In Saint Petersburg | Russia’s Most Beautiful City

By Author Christian L.

Posted on Published: January 17, 2021  - Last updated: September 11, 2021

Categories Europe , Destinations , Russia

Once known as Leningrad and before that Petrograd, Saint Petersburg, Russia, is the country’s second-largest city. Set next to the Neva River, close to the Baltic Sea, this city is home to over 5 million people.

It’s the world’s northernmost city, founded by Peter the Great and named after Saint Peter the apostle. Once home to the Tsars of Russia, it is today known as the country’s cultural capital.

With iconic sights such as Hermitage Museum, Nevsky Prospect, Peterhof Palace, and so much more, it has a fascinating heritage ripe for exploration. Without further ado, let’s dive into the 13 best things to do in St. Petersburg. 

Top Things to do in St. Petersburg, Russia

St. Petersburg, Europe, has grown into one of the top tourist destinations on the continent. Although it might get very cold in winter, there are still plenty of things to do – and the summers are absolutely perfect! Saint Petersburg is one of the prettiest cities in all of Europe .

Keep reading for some of my favorite choices. 

1. Visit The World Famous Hermitage Museum

One of the city’s most popular attractions (with over 3 million items in its esteemed collection), State Hermitage Museum showcases everything from fine art to ancient artifacts. 

Even if you don’t plan on entering inside, the exterior is an architectural gem in itself. The columns are all in white with green/gold facades that can be viewed from the river or Palace Square.

If you’re visiting St. Petersburg, Russia, your trip would not be complete without stopping past this world-famous landmark. It’s also a great activity to do no matter what time of year you are visiting – and a perfect way to escape those cold Russian winter days. 

There are six buildings in the museum complex in total. Five of which – Winter Palace, Small Hermitage, Old Hermitage, New Hermitage, and Hermitage Theatre – can be accessed by the public.

Within, you’ll be treated to Egyptian collections, artifacts dating from ancient Mesopotamia, and classical Greek jewelry, pottery, and sculptures. This is any historical culture lover’s dream. 

Keep exploring, and you will find collections of prehistoric relics from the Palaeolithic era to the Iron Ages, European fine arts, Impressionist works, Catherine the Great’s personal collections, and so much more.

In fact, you’ll need an entire day or possibly longer to explore this incredible museum complex. If you only have limited time in St. Petersburg, be sure to add this museum to your itinerary! There are also guided tours available if you want a more educational experience. 

Did you know? The Hermitage Museum is the world’s second-largest art museum.

2. Take in a Performance at Mariinsky Theatre

The Neoclassical Mariinsky Theatre is home to Russia’s revered opera and ballet companies.

The theatre – named after the wife of Tsar Alexandra II, Empress Maria Alexandrovna – has been here since 1860 when it was known as the Kirov Theatre.

This magnificent building, since it opened, has hosted stage performances and premieres from Tchaikovsky and Mussorgsky and famous ballets such as Sleeping Beauty, Swan Lake and The Nutcracker. 

Today, in addition to hosting live performances, the theatre has its own record label, which focuses on releasing music by Russian composers Stravinsky, Tchaikovsky, and Rachmaninov.

If you enjoy the arts and are going to be in St. Petersburg for several days, book tickets to see a world-class performance – you won’t be disappointed.

3. See Jewelled Eggs at the Faberge Museum

The House of Faberge was founded in St. Petersburg in 1842 by Gustav Faberge. Originally a jeweler, he became famous for designing jewel-encrusted eggs for the Tsars of Russia and is arguably the most famous goldsmith of the modern era. 

Today, you can view these iconic collection pieces in the Faberge Museum. It showcases 4,000 items in total, including Faberge Easter eggs, jewelry, silverware, home decor, and fantasy-themed objects.

The incredible jeweled eggs are famous all over the world, and there are several museums dedicated to them. But if you want to learn about Gustav Faberge, his family, and how it all began, this is the museum to visit. You can purchase a ticket in person or online. 

4. Spend an Hour Canal Cruising

St. Petersburg is built on 42 islands, and once upon a time (before bridges were constructed), cruising was the only way to navigate the city.

On a Golden Ring boat tour, you’ll see some of St. Petersburg’s iconic sights along the Kryukov Canal, including St. Nicholas Cathedral, Saint Isaac’s Cathedral, and the Mariinsky theatre.

You’ll dip beneath the famous colored bridges on Neva River whilst enjoying views of Peter and Paul Fortress, Vasilyevsky Island, and the Summer Garden. This is truly one of the most breathtaking ways to take in all the beauty that St. Petersburg has to offer. 

This tour also only takes around an hour, so you’ll have plenty of time to revisit your favorite spots throughout the day!

5. Discover Church of the Savior on Spilled Blood

One of St. Petersburg’s architectural masterpieces is the Church of Our Savior on Spilled Blood.

This former Russian Orthodox Church was completed in 1907 and is built in Baroque, Neoclassical, and Russian Revival design. It is one of the city’s main attractions, with ornate domes, intricate frescoes, and 7,500 square meters of mosaics inside. 

If you don’t wish to enter, you can gain incredible views from Griboedov Canal. But if you do venture inside, you’ll be rewarded with interior frescoes and mosaic works depicting biblical scenes and figures created by celebrated Russian artists of the time.

The Church of the Saviour of Blood is built on the spot where Emperor Alexander 2 was assassinated in 1881 – hence the name. So, not only will you be able to appreciate the fine architectural designs, but also explore an important part of Russian history. 

6. Take a Rooftop Walk-in St. Petersburg

If you have viewed the city from canals and rivers, try it from the rooftops! You can take a guided rooftop walk in the city, seeing streets and skylines from an elevated perspective.

One particular tour to highlight is the Official Rooftops Excursion of St. Petersburg. Just a few minutes from Nevsky Prospect, these sites offer vistas of Fontanka River and Trinity Cathedral – and that’s just the first roof.

The second roof boasts views of St. Petersburg’s old center, St. Isaac’s Cathedral, Kazan Cathedral, and the Church on Spilled Blood.

This is a truly incredible way to see the city in all its glory, plus the tour provides you with binoculars so you can see everything in great detail.

7. Admire Nevsky Prospect’s Magnificent Architecture

The main street of St. Petersburg is Nevsky Prospect. Begin at the intersection at Stroganov Palace before venturing to Kazan Cathedral. While you walk, take in the monuments dedicated to Catherine the Great and browse goods at The Passage – Nevsky Avenue’s premier department store.

This store was quite the trailblazer. It opened its doors in the late 1840s and was one of the first buildings in Russia to use gas for lighting. Then, in 1900, an electric station was installed on an underground floor.

Once you’ve finished shopping and enjoyed a fresh cup of coffee, continue to the Russian National Library – the oldest public library in Russia – and Alexandrinsky Theatre (which was built for the Imperial troupe of Petersburg).

8. Visit the Island of Peter and Paul Fortress

Set on an island connected by bridges, Peter and Paul Fortress is instantly recognizable from its needle spire, which dominates the skyline. The fortress was originally built to defend the maritime city from Swedish invaders.

However, Peter the Great defeated the opposition before it was even completed! It has since served as a military center and prison for political dissenters and, latterly, as a museum.

Inside the vast complex, you can see Peter and Paul Cathedral, visit the resting place of the Romanovs, and watch military processions or the firing of the noon-day gun.

It’s a great day trip for anyone interested in Russian, maritime or military history. There are also plenty of group walking tours available. 

9. Sample Russian Vodka in a Ryumochnye

A visit to Russia wouldn’t be complete without sampling the local drink – vodka, and the best place to do this is in a Ryumochnye. This is a specific style of 19th-century Russian drinking house that not only offers some of Russia’s best vodka but also a short history lesson.

You could call it a bar, but it’s more than that – most mainstream Ryumochnye have a definite Soviet vibe and are places for working men to kick back and enjoy vodka with their buddies.

Beverages come in bottles or shot form, and some places offer self-service and snacks.

If that sounds too hardcore for your taste, there are updated versions of Ryumochnye in the city, like Mayak in St. Petersburg, where you can gain a similar experience. 

10. Enjoy local Saint Petersburg Craft Beer

Although most people think of vodka when visiting Russia, you can also enjoy some of the best craft beer in Saint Petersburg . Russia’s second-largest city has an exciting, rapidly growing craft beer scene, in part due to its history and geography.

Historically, the Russian empire was influenced by Northern Europe, and the Dutch & English beer-drinking culture eventually made its way here. Today, Saint Petersburg is home to a growing number of modern microbreweries, cool taprooms, and stylish bars.

Saint Petersburg is also home to Stepan Razin Brewery, the oldest brewery in Russia (now, of course, owned by Heiniken). It opened in 1795, but today the building is known as the Saint Petersburg Beer Museum, showcasing the history of beer in Russia and the Soviet Union.

Russia’s largest and most popular brewery, Baltika, is also located in Saint Petersburg, and it’s possible to take a tour of their huge brewery.

11. See the Majestic Catherine Palace

A stately palace of blue and gold, Catherine’s Palace is located 26 kilometers south of St. Petersburg. Named after the wife of Peter the Great, this place was originally a two-story modest building commissioned in 1717.

The exterior, which stretches for one kilometer in circumference, is surrounded by woodlands, lawns, gilded balconies, and reliefs. However, the interiors are even more impressive.

With great halls, a white dining room, an amber room, and more. It’s the perfect place to step back into history and discover what life was like as a Russian aristocracy.

12. Explore Peterhof Palace

If you’re going to visit Catherine Palace, you should tour Peterhof too. It’s a 40-minute drive away, but you can even take a hydrofoil speed boat from right behind the Hermitage in Saint Petersburg center.

Sitting close to the Baltic Sea, Peterhof Palace was constructed by Peter the Great to be Russia’s version of Versailles. The opulent residence surrounded by sculptures, fountains, and tiered staircases leading to the grand entrance evokes mystery and the history of a bygone era.

Inside it is lavishly decorated with dazzling chandeliers, one-of-a-kind artworks and beautiful ceiling frescoes.

On a guided tour, you can learn more about the palace’s history. Discover the Throne Room, Portrait Hall and Peter the Great’s Oak Study. You’ll see dining rooms set for dinner, grand ballrooms where dancing and gatherings would take place, and décor which defies time.

The palace offers great insight into his life and legacy, and if you are interested in history, art and interior design, you’ll love it.

Want to know more about Peterhof?

13. Spend a Day by the Finnish Border at Vyborg

Just over an hour from central Saint Petersburg by train is the city of Vyborg. It sits on the Gulf of Finland and was first settled back in the 12th century. The city has been occupied by Finnish and German forces and suffered extensive damage during the Second World War. However, it has since been rebuilt. 

It’s a charming center to wander around, with narrow cobbled streets, a medieval castle, and Finnish art nouveau structures sprinkled throughout. An easy day trip from St. Petersburg, it can also serve as a stop-off point if you’re crossing into Finland to continue your adventure.

Want to know more about Saint Petersburg?

Where is St. Petersburg | Is St. Petersburg in Europe?

If you want to know “Where is Saint Petersburg?”, you’ve come to the right place. Beautiful St. Petersburg is located in northern Russia. Russia is a massive country, so it is no surprise that many people want to know “Is Saint Petersburg in Europe?”. The answer is yes. 

How to Get to Saint Petersburg

The maritime city is well linked to Europe by air, sea, rail and road. Depending on where you’re traveling from and the rest of your itinerary, you can use one of the following ways to arrive at St. Petersburg.

You can fly into Saint Petersburg through Pulkovo International Airport. There are around 1,100 international flights a week and 1,200 domestic flights operating in and out of the local airport.

Although many flights from European cities to Saint Petersburg are direct, you may have to change flights if flying from further afield.

It’s also possible to travel to St. Petersburg by train. The most popular (and most frequent) routes operate from Moscow, Helsinki, and Tallinn. However, there are options to travel from other areas in central Europe, central Asia, and eastern Europe by rail.

There is a central bus station in Saint Petersburg, with services to and from Moscow, Pskov, Novgorod, Vilnius, Riga , Tallinn and Helsinki. Some of these journeys can be long and arduous.

Therefore, thorough research and choosing the right bus company is important.

Baltic Sea Cruises also operate to St. Petersburg as part of a larger itinerary, and St. Peter Line Ferry sails from Helsinki in Finland and Tallinn in Estonia.

Exploring Saint Petersburg, Russia

Saint Petersburg is the 5th most populous city in Europe and also a leading tourist destination. Although people sometimes forget about Russia, this city is breathtakingly beautiful and provides plenty of cultural and historical attractions.

Now that you know where to go, I hope you have an amazing time in Russia’s most beautiful city.

Friday 19th of January 2018

Thank you! So great review about our St. Petersburg!

What to do in St. Petersburg in 1 day - Probe around the Globe

Thursday 11th of May 2017

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Friday 17th of June 2016

Which hostel did you stay at? I am potentially thinking of going to Russia for World Cup 2018 after my World Cup trip to Brazil two years ago. Saint Petersburg is one of the host cities, and so I am very interested in learning more about this city and recommendations from fellow travellers who have been.

Christian L.

I stayed at Soul Kitchen Junior, and I will go so far and say its by far the best hostel I have ever stayed at!! Anywhere in the world, no other hostels even get close to it:)

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They all say they’ve got the holy grail. so who’s right.

Wherever you go, the experience is usually the same.

You enter a church or a cathedral, and an ecclesiastical hush descends. You admire the architecture, the artworks, the centuries of history and of faith that have stood the test of time.

And then you enter a special chapel or museum, where the holiest of items resides. Behind a glass case stands the stuff of legend: the Holy Grail.

Or is it? What makes this cup the Holy Grail – but not another?

In Europe alone, there are said to be around 200 cups, each thought to be the Holy Grail – the cup used by Jesus Christ at the Last Supper.

Believers flock to see them and pray over them. But which is the real grail – and does it even exist?

A religious or cultural reality?

One thing’s for certain – the Holy Grail is embedded deep into our collective imagination. The idea of a quest is a constant theme in literature, art and movies, while we routinely refer to what would be our ultimate goals – but usually lie tantalizingly out of sight – as the “holy grail.” Major medical breakthroughs are often called the “holy grail” for the disease in question.

It’s part of pop culture, too. Dan Brown made millions off his interpretation of the Holy Grail in the “Da Vinci Code,” in which he posited that the grail was not in fact an object, but a secret – that Jesus Christ had fathered children with Mary Magdalen. And who can forget Harrison Ford reaching out for the “cup of a carpenter” in “Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade”?

Even stories that have nothing to do with Christianity are often centered around quests – from Harry Potter to “Lord of the Rings.”

Strip away those modern connotations, though, and we’re left with a simple explanation. The Holy Grail is, supposedly, the cup used by Jesus at the Last Supper.

The goblet that Christ drunk from before his arrest, sentencing and crucifixion would of course be of interest to Christians around the world. And the fact that, over the centuries, legends have arisen of “grails” producing miracles, has only added to the enthusiasm.

There’s just one problem, says Joanne Pierce, professor of religious studies at the College of the Holy Cross in Massachusetts.

“I honestly do not think that the actual cup from the Last Supper still exists,” she says.

“Jesus certainly used a cup at the Last Supper, but if you look at some Gospel accounts, the room was already prepared by someone else [before they arrived]. So it may not have been his cup.”

Related article Shroud of Turin still surrounded with mystery and passion

For Pierce, a Catholic, the idea of the Holy Grail is more symbolic than realistic – in her words, “a cultural reality rather than a religious reality.”

But for many people, the grail is a real object – and one that it’s possible to see if you go to Valencia. Or Léon. Or Genoa. Or any of the many places where, tradition says the Grail resides.

You might even be able to feel the mystical power of the Grail if you visit one of the many places it is said to be hiding, just out of site. Up the mountain of Montserrat, outside Barcelona, for example. Or in the Polish countryside , where the shadowy Knights Templar might have hidden it. Or around Glastonbury Tor, the mysterious hill in southern England where, medieval legend declared, Joseph of Arimathea brought the Grail shortly after Jesus’ death.

At Valencia, in eastern Spain, enter the cathedral, and to the right is a chapel, built expressly to house the “Santo Cáliz,” or “holy chalice.”

“Tradition reveals that it is the same cup that the Lord used at the Last Supper for the institution of the Eucharist,” says the cathedral’s website about the “Holy Chalice of the Lord’s Supper.”

They believe that St. Peter took it to Rome, from where it was sent to Spain in the third century CE.

Valencia’s tourist board website also describes the cup as “the Holy Chalice… used by Jesus Christ at the Last Supper.” Announcing that you have the Holy Grail is, of course, a tourism draw. It has been since the medieval period, when Europeans taking part in the Crusades would bring back “relics” from Jerusalem.

From worship to tourism

In fact, relics have been central to Christianity since the start, says Pierce.

When early Christians were martyred, other believers would pray at their graves. “The martyr acted as a patron or intercessory for their prayers to be lifted up to heaven” – a practice taken from ancient Rome, where the “patronage system was an important part of society.” That idea of saints intensifying prayer, or flagging it to the right place, persists in Christianity today.

But it wasn’t just the graves of martyrs that became holy; it was anything to do with their body, or things they had touched. “Objects they might have handled were considered to have that same grace – a connection with the holy,” says Pierce.

Of course, the cup held by Jesus with which he showed the disciples how to perform the eucharist, on the table as he announced that he was soon to be betrayed, would be the holiest of holy objects.

Little wonder that so much effort has gone into finding the Grail.

During the time of the Crusades, interest in Jesus’ life on Earth increased, says Pierce. People were “going back and forth” between Europe and the Holy Land, looking for artifacts that could have been related. That’s why most of the supposed Holy Grails around Europe first arrived on the continent during those centuries.

“It’s similar to the interest in the paranormal we have now,” says Mathew Schmalz, founding editor of the Journal of Global Catholicism and professor of religious studies at Holy Cross.

“In the Middle Ages, it reached a public consciousness that it didn’t have before.”

Related article Lessons learned from hiking the Camino de Santiago in Spain and Portugal

But over the centuries, collecting relics hasn’t purely been about getting closer to God, says Schmalz. There were “various economic interests related to pilgrimage,” he says.

“Relics were taken away from tombs and widely dispersed. You have a variety of places becoming pilgrimage sites which was a very lucrative business for those who had the relics.” Religious tourists would make pilgrimages to these places, boosting the local economy as they did so.

Relics were also political in the time of the Crusades. “Finding items like the lance that pierced the side of Christ was considered affirmation of the divine mission to ‘liberate’ the Holy Land,” says Schmalz.

That’s one of the reasons that some “relics” are so numerous that they couldn’t possibly be true.

“You could construct a city with the wood that’s claimed to be the true cross,” he says.

Jesus or … King Arthur?

The Holy Grail may have started out as a sacred relic for Christians, but over the centuries, it has also come to have relevance to others. For starters, it has been linked to the legendary King Arthur since the Medieval period – thanks to chivalric poetry, says Pierce.

A ninth-century French poem posited that Joseph of Arimathea had caught the blood of Christ in the Grail during the crucifixion and had later taken it to Glastonbury in what’s now England.

“This was conflated with Celtic, Irish, Welsh and pre-Christian narratives about objects imbued with power,” she says.

A “graal” or grail in English originally referred to a deep dish, serving platter or even a cauldron belonging to early British kings, according to ancient myth.

In the 12th century, Chrétien de Troyes’ poem “Perceval, the Story of the Grail” is a romp including King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table, a chivalrous quest, a bloody lance – and a glittering grail, a serving dish with magical healing powers.

By the 15th century, Perceval had become Galahad , the son of Arthurian knight Lancelot, who goes on a quest for the grail, finds it, and chooses to die on the way back after a heavenly vision. Galahad, by the way, was able to heal the sick and perform miracles.

Sound familiar?

How one woman ‘found’ the Holy Grail

So what is it like to have a Holy Grail in your city? Representatives from the Cathedral of Valencia didn’t reply to request for comment from CNN. Neither did anyone from the Italian cathedral of Genoa – home to the Sacro Catino, a beautiful glass bowl, once thought to have been the Grail, made of emerald, but now seen as more likely to be crystal, and work of Islamic art from the 9th or 10th century, brought to Italy in the 11th.

But someone who is convinced she has the grail in her hometown is Margarita Torres Sevilla, professor of medieval history at the University of Léon in Spain.

In fact, Torres was the one to discover that what was thought of as a mere medieval chalice in her city was – she believes – the Holy Grail.

In 2010, she and colleague José Miguel Ortega del Río were working at the Basilica of San Isidoro, a church in Léon that doubles as the burial place for the royal dynasty of Léon and Castile. They were looking at items in the basilica’s museum of medieval history.

“Some objects came from Islamic countries but didn’t have the correct references,” she says. Among them was the “chalice of Doña Urraca” – an onyx chalice that had been adorned in a gold casing and encrusted with precious jewels. It had come to Spain from Egypt in the medieval period, apparently as a diplomatic present.

Torres and Ortega del Río delved deeper into its provenance, asking a colleague in Cairo to look for documents that could explain this gift to the Spanish. What they found astonished them.

“In the middle of the 11th century, there was a great famine in Egypt and the caliph had asked for help from other Islamic countries,” she says.

In the library of Cairo’s Al-Azhar university were two medieval parchments from the 14th century. One – apparently a historical account – recounted that the taifa (ruler) of Dénia had sent a boat full of food to Egypt. Dénia, near modern Valencia, was under Muslim rule at the time.

The parchment goes on to say that in return for the help, the taifa made a request: for “the cup that the Christians call the Cup of the Messiah … used during the celebration with his disciples.”

The cup had been found in “one of the small churches that are on the outskirts of Jerusalem” and possessed “extraordinary medicinal powers” according to Christians, said the document – which also gave the caveat that “men of science and doctrine disregard it.”

Ali bnu Muyahid ad-Danii, the ruler of Denia, requested it so that he could “send to the King of Léon … to strengthen their alliance,” the document continued.

The previous year, Léon had attacked Valencia – war was getting too close to comfort for those in Dénia, and it appeared that the taifa wanted to placate Ferdinand I, the king of Léon. Ferdinand suffered from “the disease of the stones” and the taifa thought that the miraculous cup might help.

The other parchment, also from the 14th century, purports to be a copy of a letter from Salah ad-Din Yusuf ibn Ayyub (known as Saladin), the 12th-century sultan of Egypt and Syria, recounting how he had asked to be sent the “fine shard” of the “holy stone” or “cup” that had been chipped off during its journey to Dénia, for his sick daughter.

She was healed by the “piece of stone placed upon her body,” and the shard had been kept carefully in the Islamic public treasury, states the document.

They went back to the cup in the church in Léon.

“We checked – it had a cut in it, as the parchment suggested,” says Torres. “We knew we had a hot potato in our hands.”

The pair claim to have dated the onyx cup to the first century, and believe that Doña (princess) Urraca, Ferdinand’s daughter, melted down all her jewelry to cover the chalice in riches. They’ve even identified what they think is the onyx cup in a painting of the Last Supper at San Isidoro’s royal pantheon, where the dynasty is buried. They believe that is a hint about the cup’s identity.

Of course, not everybody believes them. One Oxford professor memorably said it was “ idiotic ” to claim that the cup must have belonged to Jesus, even if it’s of Roman origin.

Related article A peripatetic pilgrimage: When travel feels like a secular religious experience

Torres – proving that the Grail has penetrated culture like no other – likens her situation to that of Hollywood’s Indiana Jones taking his leap of faith before finding the Grail.

“He closes his eyes and starts with a step. Our sensation was the same,” she says.

“I’m a Christian, but my colleague is not. My mother was a historian; his father was a journalist.” They were not the type to get carried away.

The idea that a princess would have donated her jewelry to cover a broken cup in gold is, she says, “Like the daughter of Bill Gates melting down her jewelry to cover a broken toy.”

Torres’ claims are certainly persuasive – and although she was Léon’s city councilor for tourism from 2015 to 2019, she says she “put a line between being a politician and a historian.”

Can she guarantee it’s the cup of Christ? “I can offer that the cup venerated in Jerusalem from the fourth century to the 11th century is the same as you see in the chalice of Urraca,” she says.

“But I’m not sure what happened from the first to the fourth century, because I was not in Jerusalem, not with Jesus Christ, and neither were you.”

‘My faith doesn’t depend on this’

For Pierce, who doesn’t believe that the Grail exists anymore, items like the chalice of Urraca are still worthwhile as a cultural phenomenon.

“I’m very skeptical … but what’s important is the fact that these items were venerated – they’re literary objects and cultural reality,” she says.

“My faith doesn’t depend on [this]. To believe in Jesus Christ doesn’t necessarily mean that there are actual physical remnants of his [life].”

She compares the quest for the Grail to the Shroud of Turin. “I’ve seen it, it was fascinating, but analysis shows it’s from a later period. That doesn’t threaten my belief in the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ at all – someone believed in it so much that they fabricated it,” she says.

Schmalz, who’s “doubtful” about whether the Grail still exists, agrees about the shroud. Not that he’s against all relics. He used to wear a piece of Pope John XXIII’s vestment around his neck. “I mysteriously lost it and many people said it was the result of a demonic attack,” he says.

“I believe it was more a result of my carelessness. But I do believe relics are important – they connect us not just with holy people but with God.”

His best bet about what the Grail would look like, if it exists? “I’d agree with the Indiana Jones vision of it as a simple cup – the ‘cup of a carpenter’ who was at a local inn. In some ways, that’s the religious meaning – that something so simple and worldly could hold the blood of Christ.”

Is that the Holy Grail sitting in Léon? Or Valencia? Or any of the other 200 places that claim to be home to it? We’ll never know.

But one thing is for sure. The idea of that simple cup of a carpenter looks set to stay in the public consciousness for another 2,000 years.

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Thearoor (also spelt Therur) is a small settlement in Kanyakumari District, Tamil Nadu. Lying near Nagercoil, the town spans over an area of about 10 sq km. Marungoor is situated in the east, Nallur in the north-east, Neendakara in the south-west and Nagercoil in the west. Suchindram is to the south of Thearoor.

Nagercoil, Sanguthurai Beach, Thovalai, Kanyakumari and Vattakottai are nearby tourist spots.

Trivandrum International Airport is the nearest airport. Nagercoil Junction Railway Station serves the town. Thearoor can be reached from Nagercoil and Suchindram by road.

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Vattakottai Fort

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