Senate Square

First built in the 18th century, Senate Square - formerly called Decemberists' Square - was one of the first squares in St Petersburg. It's surrounded by some of the city's most imposing monuments.

A stroll around Senate Square

St Petersburg's Senate Square has several green spaces full of trees and plants, making it a lovely place to enjoy a wander on the hottest days of the year.

One of the main landmarks in the square is the Bronze Horseman, an impressive equestrian statue of Peter the Great leading his country towards a prosperous future. While the sculpture itself is impressive, the rock on which it stands is the true masterpiece: known as the Thunder Stone, it is the largest stone ever moved by humans at around 1,500 tonnes!

A central plaza

While it may not be on our list of must-see monuments in St Petersburg, Senate Square's location opposite the impressive Saint Isaac's Cathedral makes it a lovely place to stroll through after visiting the church to relax and take in the greenery.