Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
276
out from the second-floor cafe is exceptional. Nearby is the newer
Grand Palace
(44
Nevsky Prospekt), with rows of Italian and French couture boutiques and a staggeringly
expensive chocolate shop. Only slightly less decadent is
Vladimirsky Passage
(19 Vladi-
mirsky Prospekt). The less appealing but more affordable type of shopping center is the
torgovy tsentr.
These glass-and-chrome constructions have sprung up around Russia in
recent years, feeding Russians' hunger for consumer goods. The most convenient, clean
one for most tourists is DLT (see listing below), though it's often quite crowded. There's
little historic or unique about these centers, but they're your best bet for basic needs such
as shampoo, camera batteries, or umbrellas, and they offer a way to see how average city
residents spend their money.
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SHOPPING A TO Z
A few personal shopping ideas and hints:
AMBER
The Baltic Sea coast from Kaliningrad up toward St. Petersburg holds nearly all of the
world's amber. This strange gem of petrified tree sap is ubiquitous in Russia's imperial
capital. Rings, necklaces, brooches, cigar holders, pens, and other souvenirs made of
amber are widely available. Although they're not cheap, they cost much less than in other
countries farther from the source. Any souvenir market, crafts store, or jewelry shop is
bound to have a decent selection (see reviews below). Keep an eye out for the more
unusual shades of pale green or yellow.
Amber House
(Yantarny Dom) A broad and reliable but pricey selection of jewelry
made from amber and Siberian stones can be found here. The really unusual items are
usually the better buys.
24 Nevsky Prospekt.
&
812/571-8810.
Metro: Nevsky Prospekt.
ANTIQUES & COLLECTIBLES
Abim Plus
This spacious and eclectic gallery on the Fontanka embankment offers paint-
ings, china, and knickknacks.
5 Fontanka Naberezhnaya.
&
812/314-0080.
Metro: Gostiny Dvor.
Belazh
This is an old standby on Nevsky, whose prices are higher because of its loca-
tion but whose quality and selection of artworks and porcelain remain good.
57 Nevsky
Prospekt.
&
812/310-6688.
Metro: Gostiny Dvor.
Panteleimonovsky
Paintings, furniture, and tabletop collectibles may be found
here, with an emphasis on Art Nouveau objects.
13/15 Ulitsa Pestelya.
&
812/579-7235.
Metro: Chernyshevskaya.
Russkaya Starina
Its focus is on Russian crafts and antiques, as opposed to the
western European collectibles carried by most other antiques shops.
27 Baskov Pereulok.
&
812/273-1847.
www.rusant.ru. Metro: Chernyshevskaya.
ART
Art Modus
This informal market in front of the Lutheran Church on Nevsky has
been almost institutionalized in its many years parked here. A broad selection of paint-
ings, watercolors, sketches, and photos is on display by the artists. The more original and
less expensive pieces are usually displayed at the booths in the back. Prices are negotiable,
and range broadly. Vendors speak English.
32-34 Nevsky Prospekt.
&
921/871-7973.
Metro:
Nevsky Prospekt.
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