St.Petersburg’s benchmark is not only spacious palaces for former noble people but also for the tiny well-yards of the apartments-for-rent for poor ones. Having been a capital for 300 years, St. Petersburg had the most expensive land in the country. Thus, 19th-century owners tried to maximize their wealth by building rental houses very close to each other without any greenery or parks, and that’s how the famous well-yards appeared and still exist in some city center districts. Nowadays, locals try to make these yards cozier and try to decorate them with paintings or even sculptures.

One of my favorite well-yards is at Pravdy street 2-8 which is devoted to the American fairytale “The Wonderful Wizard of Oz” which is also very popular in Russia. Start from the yard at bld.8 and try to find all the characters: The Good Witch of the North on the wall of the house, sculptures of Dorothy, Toto, Scarecrow, Tin Woodman and   Cowardly Lion in one yard. Follow the yellow brick road at bld.4 to see the Winged Monkeys at the vizor over the entrance in the other yard (on the photo), the Wicked Witch of the East and the Wizard Oz himself (only during spring-autumn period as he is made as a flowerbed). In the middle of the kids playground, you can find Glinda the Good Witch of the South and make your wish!

If entrances are closed, just wait for some locals to let you in (bld.2 is normally open).