Steps Away: Places to Explore Near ITMO's Lensoveta Dorm

The Lensoveta dorm is located within walking distance of Moskovskaya metro station. And if you live here and love travelling – lucky you! First, it’s the most convenient location to get to and from Pulkovo Airport, as the bus 39 departs right from here. Second, it’s also thestarting point for bus routes to several famous suburbs like Pushkin, Pavlovsk, and Gatchina. Just hop on one, and you’ll get there faster than by suburban train!

But before you rush out of town, there’s plenty to explore right here in the district.

Moscow Square – 9 minutes

If you’d like to get a first impression of the area before exploring it, this is the place to start. Compared to the narrow streets of the historic center, Moscow Square strikes with its immense space. In fact, it’s not only the largest square in St. Petersburg, but also one of the largest squares in all of Europe.

Designed in the 1930s, the district was intended to become the new city center, and the square – a hot spot for demonstrations and rallies. Though the plans failed, the grandeur remained: here, you’ll find the tallest Lenin monument in the city, the imposing House of Soviets, and numerous fountains. Today, it’s a popular spot for walks, photos, and meeting up with friends.

Chesme Church and Palace – 13 minutes 

The signature look of the district was formed by the Stalinist Empire style. However, between this symmetry and muted shades you can find a burst of color and one of the earliest examples of Gothic Revival architecture. The Chesme Palace and Church appeared here centuries before, when there was nothing else around, as a place for Catherine the Great to stop and rest on her way from Tsarskoye Selo to St. Petersburg. While the palace is now a university campus, the pink fairytale-like church is open to visitors.

Pulkovsky Park – 14 minutes

Among several islands of green in the area, the closest one to the dorm is Pulkovsky Park. Developed in the late 1980s, it features not only lush greenery and a scenic pond, but also a few modern churches and memorials dedicated to the Great Patriotic War. It’s a nice place for walks and outdoor sports.

Paradox Books – 17 minutes

Do you think hip bookstores paired with coffee corners only exist in the historic center? Here’s one to prove you wrong! Recently opened, Paradox Books boasts minimalist interiors and an unusual selection of literature: art magazines and books on architecture, design, and photography. And, of course, there’s freshly brewed coffee and delicious desserts from the YNGЯНГ coffeeshop. Located next to the Chesme Palace, the store adds to a diverse walking route.

Pirozhki bar “Hostess” – 25 minutes

If you’d like to get a taste of a Russian granny’s baked goods, there's no better place!

Opened in 1956, the city's oldest pirozhkovaya still adheres to original recipes and reasonable prices, which is why it’s loved by locals from different parts of the city. On the menu are pies of all kinds: baked and fried, sweet and sour, including the vatrushka (cottage cheese pie) and belyash (meat pie). The interior is straight out of a period film: tiled walls, marble surfaces, and a glass chandelier.