Arseny from Saint Petersburg

About me The more I travel, the more I like my hometown. Having founded a small translation agency in St. Petersburg, I also work with some other international companies in Europe (mainly in Germany). I really like it when people from abroad visit my country and my city and not only for specific events like the World Cup, but also for new experiences. Why Saint Pete...
Oct 4, 2025

The Yard of Spirits Saint Petersburg

Smallest well-yard

""The Yard of Spirits" is the smallest well-yard in Saint Petersburg. It's 1.50mx2m and even many locals don't know about it. When you find it, make a wish!"

Have you ever seen the smallest yard in St. Petersburg? It’s such a hidden and secret spot that even not so many locals know about it. The Yard of Spirits is another secret place in the city which is full of legends and myths.

Peter the First, who founded St. Petersburg, understood that there was not so much space in the location that he had chosen to build the city. Therefore, he decided that the architecture should be characterized by solid facades with indoor spaces opening out to courtyards. Due to this “strategic thinking”, St. Petersburg is famous for its numerous well-yards. Some of them look pretty creepy and fearsome.

The Yard of Spirits is only 1.50mx2m. One of the legends says that anyone who comes into the yard can make absolutely any wish. He or she should look above at the sky and the wish will certainly come true.

It is a challenge to find The Yard of Spirits and get in, but you can try. You can get there from the 4th line of Vasilievsky Island – building 5. Turn under the first arch from Bolshoi prospect. Come to the leftmost entrance in the basement. If you are lucky enough, you should be able to open the door. If not, you can wait for someone to open it for you. As soon as you are in, pass through the corridor and finally you will find the Yard of Spirits.

Hopefully you manage!

002-building
Art & culture

About this spot

4-Ya Liniya V.o. 5

RUB

free

Our Saint Petersburg Guide

Find your way with 106 Insider Tips from our Local Spotters

Discover hidden gems and all our locals’ favourites! Get full access to our Saint Petersburg guide.

Join as a Spotter?

Loved this Spot? And love your city? Join your local team. Share your favs and become part of our international community!

Nice place right!? There’s so much more to discover:

Discover all other hidden gems in Saint Petersburg

Berthold Centre

Creative well yard

"Berthold Centre" in St. Petersburg creates cozy and historic vibes with its big umbrella yard. I always have trouble deciding between the pizza & syrniki!

002-building
Art & culture
020-coffee-cup-1
Coffee & tea
021-spoon-and-fork-1
Restaurants

by

Olga

Samoilova

Oct 9, 2025

Chaev Mansion

Dental clinic in a millionaire home

The "Chaev Mansion" in St. Petersburg is a dental clinic that's actually in an old pre-revolutionary mansion! You can't miss it...

002-building
Art & culture

by

Olga

Samoilova

Oct 6, 2025

The Manege

A new old exhibition center

"The Manege" in Saint Petersburg isn't just a place for trade fairs anymore -- the art exhibitions in this historical riding hall are just stunning!

002-building
Art & culture

by

Arseny

Veber

Oct 6, 2025

Human winter walri (Morzhi)

The fortress sun spot

You are likely to see sunbathers and swimmers past St Peters and Paul Fortress on Troitsky bridge on any sunny day in Saint Petersburg -- or ice fishers!

017-plant-1
Relaxing

by

Ben

O'Leary

Oct 5, 2025

Mariniere by Maison de Zhirobas

Best seafood

"Mariniere by Maison de Zhirobas" is one of the best seasonal restaurants, with the best seafood in Saint Petersburg! Not pretentious at all, either...

021-spoon-and-fork-1
Restaurants

by

Ben

O'Leary

Oct 5, 2025

Marshrutka Ride

Wacky Races

Getting a ride on a marshrutka in Saint Petersburg is a small taste of local life, but getting the front seat -- that's a ride to rival a rollercoaster!

017-plant-1
Relaxing

by

Ben

O'Leary

Oct 5, 2025

Doroga Zhizni Memorial

The Road of Life

"Doroga Zhizni Memorial", or The Road of Life, is a memorial to the 900 days of the Siege of Leningrad. You should also check out the famous marathon...

002-building
Art & culture

by

Ben

O'Leary

Oct 5, 2025

Bekitzer

Hip Israeli street food

"Bekitzer" in Saint Petersburg is a cosy bar offering Israeli street food at bargain prices. It's already established itself with the city's 'cognoscenti'.

028-beach-bar-1
Bars
024-burger-1
Snacks

by

Ben

O'Leary

Oct 5, 2025

Eat Market

Gastro paradise

"Eat Market" is a gourmet gastro-bar dining heaven in retail mall Galeria in St. Pete -- brought to you us by the masterminds behind Vasilievsky Market!

021-spoon-and-fork-1
Restaurants

by

Ben

O'Leary

Oct 5, 2025

Dovlatov Statue

City shrine

"Dovlatov Statue" in Saint Peterburg is in the city's unoffical nightlife center. The spirit of this rebel continues to live on this street every day...

002-building
Art & culture

by

Ben

O'Leary

Oct 5, 2025

Stiglitz Drawing Academy

Stunning building

"Stiglitz Drawing Academy" is probably one of Saint Petersburg's most underrated gems. It really makes me feel I've been transported to 19th-century Paris.

002-building
Art & culture

by

Ben

O'Leary

Oct 5, 2025

Yelagin Island Parkrun

Saturday morning fitness

The "Yelagin Island Parkrun" in Saint Petersburg is a 5k run that takes place very Saturday morning, as is tradition in the movement. It's not a race!

017-plant-1
Relaxing

by

Ben

O'Leary

Oct 5, 2025

Heading to Saint Petersburg?

106 Insider Tips from our local Spotters

Authentic Stories by Real People

Escape the Crowd & Travel Slow 🐌

... for just €9.99

Saint Petersburg app Home
Saint Petersburg app Home
Saint Petersburg app Map
Saint Petersburg app Home

Heading to Saint Petersburg?

0 Insider Tips from our local Spotters

106 Insider Tips

✓ Escape the Crowds

✓ Find Spots nearby

✓ Authentic Stories

... for just €9.99

City guides by those who know the city in and out!

Our Locals' Favorite Art & culture

Our team loves Saint Petersburg

Get to know our other Spotters from Saint Petersburg

As featured on:

New-York-Times
the-guardian
mashable
the-sunday-times
[paywall_activator]
false
0
false
7297
Made with the 💚 of 499 Spotters.
Filters