The hidden side of St.Petersburg, the secrets of ancient mansions and communal apartments and rooftop tours. More and more tourists in Russia choose personal guides. Special excursions are led by professional historians, taxi drivers and even the homeless. What secrets are residents of the northern capital willing to share with their guests?
Evgeny Davydov took this tour.
Homeless man, Viacheslav Raster: Where are the guests from?
- From the south.
Every day and in any weather, he stands near a metro exit by the Dvortsovaya Square. Homeless man, Viacheslav Raster is a local celebrity and offers passersby tours along the Nevsky.
Viacheslav Raster: Hopefully, I'll earn something!
A geography teacher in the past, he tells each house's story from the time that it was built. He dazzles tourists with his knowledge of architectural terms and famous names. Our guide admits, that he once found books on the city's history in a trash can, and started reading them.
Vyacheslav Raster, tour guide: I decided not to give up after I became homeless, especially since I'm the city’s most famous bum.
An excursionist: I'm amazed by him, he's an amazing tour guide.
Irina Severova, tour guide: The future tenant was displeased with the condition of the stairwell. Darkness, dirty walls, and railings with metal griffins.
Irina Severova reveals the informal side of St.Petersburg.
Irina Severova, tour guide: One should get to know a city starting with grand staircases, and wealthy houses, since it was here that our city's history has begun.
The main stairwell of one of the wealthy mid 19th-century houses, nothing has changed here, and you definitely won't see things like this during a regular tour.
A metal figure, in a well-courtyard, the smallest St.Petersburg monument, the size of a fist.
Sergey Nakonechny, a guide: As of today the only memorial to Kharms in St.Petersburg.
Sergey Nakonechny, a guide, shows residents and visitors the places where writer Daniil Kharms, lived and worked.
Sergey Nakonechny, tour guide: I myself wanted to take a Kharms tour, but it didn't exist, I had to organize one myself.
A huge street-art portrait on a wall of a building has become a new local attraction. During a 2 hour-walk, she tells stories about who the writer used to visit and about the heroes of his short stories. The guide is convinced that such authentic tours really do make you fall in love with a city.
Sergey Nakonechny, a guide: Read Kharms and best of luck to you!
Evgeny Davydov, Gaina Orlova, Alexander Burushkov, and Alexey Sasirin. From St.Petersburg — Vesti
