Pulkovo Heights: the observatory, the siege-line memorial and the view over the city — half a day on the way to the airport

On the road from Pulkovo airport into the city a ridge of hills with domes rises on the right — the Pulkovo Heights, the highest point of St Petersburg's southern surroundings. The Pulkovo Observatory has worked on the summit since 1839, and the "zero" meridian of Russian maps once passed through it. In 1941–1944 the front line of the siege ran along these slopes, marked by a memorial by the highway. It is half a day that fits neatly beside an arrival or a departure.

The observatory's main building with its domes on the hilltop. Photo: Wikimedia Commons

The observatory

Russia's main astronomical observatory was built on the heights to a design by Alexander Brullov and opened in 1839 under its first director, Friedrich Georg Wilhelm Struve. According to the observatory, the building was destroyed in the war and rebuilt in the 1950s from the old drawings. The grounds hold the main building with its domes, telescope pavilions, a park and a museum of the history of astronomy. Entry is by guided tour only, booked in advance: daytime tours of the museum and pavilions, evening tours with telescope viewing in clear weather. Groups are small.

One of the historic telescopes. Photo: Wikimedia Commons

The Pulkovo meridian

The meridian through the centre of the main building was the zero of longitude on Russian maps until 1884. It is marked by a sign on the grounds and by a line on the floor inside — one of the details that makes the tour worth taking.

The meridian marker on the observatory grounds. Photo: Wikimedia Commons

The siege line and memorials

The heights were a key point of the city's defence: German artillery could not advance past them towards the centre, and the front stood here until 1944. By the Pulkovo Highway is the Pulkovo Line memorial of the Green Belt of Glory — a stele, a mosaic, an alley — with mass graves and obelisks nearby. Traces of fortifications survive on the slopes.

The Pulkovo Line memorial by the highway. Photo: Wikimedia Commons

The view

From the upper terrace by the observatory and from the open slopes you see the whole city, from the Lakhta Center to St Isaac's and beyond. Best on a clear day after rain. The observatory park is fenced, but the lower slopes and paths along the highway are open.

The panorama of the city from the heights. Photo: Wikimedia Commons

A half-day route

Observatory bus stop → Pulkovo Line memorial (20 minutes) → climb to the observatory, tour (1.5–2 hours, booked) → the view (20 minutes) → back to the highway. Without the tour, an hour and a half: memorial, slopes, view.

The alley from the highway up to the observatory. Photo: Wikimedia Commons

Getting there and combining with the airport

From Moskovskaya metro, buses along the Pulkovo Highway to the Observatory stop, 15–20 minutes. The airport is five minutes further on. If you land at midday with a late check-in, or have a late flight, the heights fill the gap. A transfer from the airport with a stop at the observatory and on into the city can be booked via RideClu: fixed price, the driver waits at the memorial.

The Pulkovo Highway at the foot of the heights, the road to the airport. Photo: Wikimedia Commons

Where to stay

The Moskovsky district around Moskovskaya and Park Pobedy metro suits arriving travellers: 15 minutes to the airport, 15 minutes by metro to the centre. Apartments here can be booked on Tutkakdoma for less than the centre — a Stalin-era district of wide streets and parks.

A pavilion dome at the observatory. Photo: Wikimedia Commons

Not for you if you want to walk into the observatory unbooked — you will not be admitted. As the first or last stop of a trip, with the whole city in view, the Pulkovo Heights work perfectly.

Checked on 22 October 2026 against the observatory's website and Kultura.rf.

Cover photo: Фото: SadPetzl, CC BY-SA 4.0, Викисклад