St. Petersburg's past is inseparably linked with the history and heritage of the Jewish people. From the 19th century this city became the centre for Jewish publications, organizations and social and cultural services. Out of the St. Petersburg Jewish community came brilliant persons, such as, Simon Dubnov, Marc Shagall, Yasha Heifetz, Isaac Babel and many others.
You’ll visit Theater Square, closely associated with the composer Anton Rubinstein, and stop by the Academy of Fine Arts, where Jewish painters, such as Isaac Levitan and Marc Chagall studied.
During this tour you will visit the Big Choral Synagogue which is not only a magnificent monument of architecture, but has always been the centre around which Jewish life in St.Petersburg takes place.
The Big Choral Synagogue is located in the Kolomna quarter which used to be a thriving Jewish neighborhood. Here you will find important educational centers such as the Conservatoire, founded by Anton Rubenstein, the State University and the Academy of Fine Arts, all of which were attended by many Jewish students and served as Jewish cultural focal points.