Baltiyskaya Metro Station is one of the seven stations that opened with the first Leningrad metro line on 15 November 1955, and its theme is the maritime glory of the Soviet Union. It is attached to the Baltic Station in the Admiralteysky District, so the vestibule is part of the railway building rather than a separate entrance on the street.
The hall below is faced with bluish-grey marble that recalls the cold waters of the Baltic, and the ribbed ceiling is meant to suggest a swollen sail. At the end of the central hall, a large mosaic called 1917 shows sailors marching on the Winter Palace. It is a busy commuter stop, but it is easy to see in a few minutes.
Quick Facts
| Russian name | Балтийская |
|---|---|
| Built / opened | 1955 |
| Architect(s) | M. K. Benois, A. I. Kubasov and F. F. Oleynik, with engineer S. M. Epstein |
| Address | Санкт-Петербург, площадь Балтийского Вокзала OpenStreetMap · Google Maps |
| District | Admiralteysky District |
| Interchanges | Baltiyskaya (Line 1, the vestibule attached to the east wing of the Baltic Station building) Tekhnologichesky Institut (Line 1, previous stop towards the centre) Narvskaya (Line 1, next stop towards Prospekt Veteranov) |
| Opening hours | The metro runs daily from early morning until shortly after midnight, and the station follows the network schedule; hours can change with works on the line (as of October 2026 – check the official site of the Saint Petersburg Metro). |
| Best time to visit | The station is indoors, so it works in any season and in any weather. For a calm look at the mosaic and the ceiling, choose midday or a weekend rather than the weekday rush, when commuter trains fill the hall. The portico reliefs are best seen in daylight. |
| Last updated | October 16, 2026 |
Why Visit Baltiyskaya Metro Station, Saint Petersburg?
Baltiyskaya tells a naval story with very few elements, and each is easy to spot: five bas-reliefs of Russian naval commanders in the entrance portico, a marble hall in the colours of the sea, anchor-patterned grilles and a big mosaic at the end. It makes a clear contrast with the industrial theme of Narvskaya and Kirovsky Zavod, only a few stops away.
It is also useful. The Baltic Station next door runs commuter trains to the palaces of Peterhof and Oranienbaum. You pay only for a metro ride, and 20 to 30 minutes is enough to look around.
Highlights of Baltiyskaya Metro Station, Saint Petersburg
Five naval commanders over the entrance
The surface pavilion is attached to the east wing of the Baltic Station and faces the forecourt with a porch of six columns. Between the columns, in the niche above the entrance doors, are five bas-reliefs of prominent Russian naval commanders.
They set the maritime theme before you even go down.
Tip: Look up from the forecourt before you enter; the reliefs are easy to miss from close up.
Bluish-grey marble like the Baltic
The underground hall is faced with bluish-grey marble, chosen to recall the harsh waters of the Baltic Sea. The supports of the arches are decorated with half-columns, and the colour is cool and calm, in contrast with the warm marble of other first-line stations.
The hall is deep, about 57 metres below the surface, and reached by escalator.
Tip: Stand mid-platform to see how the colour changes under the lights.
The ceiling shaped like a sail
The ribbed arch of the ceiling is bordered by two zigzag blue ribbons, and the designers meant it to suggest a swollen sail. It runs along the whole central hall and gives the space its sense of movement.
It is one of the best examples of how the first-line architects used a single idea throughout the hall.
Tip: Look up rather than along the platform; the ribbons are easy to overlook.
Anchors on the track-wall doors
Decorative grilles with images of anchors are set into the doors on the track walls. They are small details, but they carry the naval theme into the everyday functional parts of the station.
Like the marble and the ceiling, they belong to the original 1955 design.
Tip: Look across the tracks from the platform to see them.
The 1917 mosaic
The end wall of the central hall carries a large mosaic called 1917, made in the Florentine mosaic technique, with a pattern cut from large pieces of marble and coloured stones. It shows revolutionary Baltic sailors, together with workers and soldiers, marching to storm the Winter Palace, with the silhouette of the cruiser Aurora in the background.
It is the focal point of the hall.
Tip: Walk to the end of the platform for a close look; the cruiser is in the background.
A station attached to a railway terminal
The vestibule was built against the east wing of the Baltic Station, which has been a commuter-only terminal since 1933 and one of the largest in Russia for suburban traffic. The 1955 pavilion covered some stained-glass windows of the light hall and broke the symmetry of the old facade.
From here you can take an electric train to Peterhof and Oranienbaum.
Tip: Step into the old railway building to see the terminal hall next to the metro entrance.
Atmosphere
The station is a gateway for commuters and day-trippers, and the entrance hall is full of people hurrying to trains. Below, the hall is cooler and quieter. The marble is blue-grey, the ceiling flows overhead like a sail, and the large mosaic at the end gives the platform a clear focus.
Rush hours are crowded, with commuter trains feeding the metro. Between peaks the hall is calm, and you can look at the details at a walking pace.
History of Baltiyskaya Metro Station, Saint Petersburg
The first Leningrad metro line opened on 15 November 1955, running from Avtovo to Ploshchad Vosstaniya with seven stations. Baltiyskaya was one of them. During planning it was known as Baltiyskiy Vokzal, after the railway station beside it.
The Baltic Station is much older than the metro. It was reconstructed in 1931 and 1932, and since 1933 it has handled only suburban trains. When the metro vestibule was built against the left wing of the building in 1955, it closed off some of the stained-glass windows of the light hall and upset the symmetry of the facade.
The pavilion and the underground hall were designed by the architects M. K. Benois, A. I. Kubasov and F. F. Oleynik, together with the engineer S. M. Epstein. The design is dedicated to the maritime glory of the Soviet Union. Between the columns of the six-column portico, five bas-reliefs show prominent Russian naval commanders, and reliefs also decorate the wall of the ticket hall.
The underground hall is faced with bluish-grey marble, which recalls the waters of the Baltic. The supports of the arches have half-columns, and the ribbed ceiling, edged with two zigzag blue ribbons, suggests a swollen sail. Decorative grilles with anchors are set into the doors on the track walls.
At the end wall of the central hall is the mosaic 1917, made in the Florentine technique from large pieces of marble and coloured stones to a sketch by the artists G. I. Rubleva and I. G. Rubles. It shows sailors of the Baltic fleet marching with workers and soldiers to storm the Winter Palace, with the cruiser Aurora in the background.
The station sits deep below the surface, about 57 metres, and is entered in the register of cultural heritage objects of regional significance, like other stations of the first stage. The line was laid practically along an existing tram route, and the stations were built to a tight schedule so that the line could open on the planned date.
Today Baltiyskaya is a busy through station on Line 1, between Tekhnologichesky Institut and Narvskaya. It serves the commuters of the Baltic Station and the surrounding district, and the metro has carried out maintenance of the station at various times while keeping it open.
Tickets and Booking for Baltiyskaya Metro Station, Saint Petersburg
Baltiyskaya needs no ticket of its own: you pay for a ride on the Saint Petersburg Metro and can look around the hall while you wait for a train. The fare is a flat one regardless of distance (₽).
- Contactless bank card: accepted at turnstiles marked for bank-card payment, but whether a card issued outside Russia works varies, and the sanctions rules of your own country may restrict the use of Russian payment services, so check this yourself before you travel.
- Podorozhnik card: a reusable transport card sold at metro ticket offices, and usually the simplest option for visitors who plan several rides.
Rates for Russian citizens and concession categories differ from the standard fare. This station is especially busy in the weekday morning and evening rush, when commuter trains arrive at the Baltic Station. The official website of the Saint Petersburg Metro lists current fares, payment methods and categories.
Plan and Book
How to Get to Baltiyskaya Metro Station, Saint Petersburg
By metro: take Line 1 (the red Kirovsko-Vyborgskaya line) towards Prospekt Veteranov. From Ploshchad Vosstaniya the stations are Vladimirskaya, Pushkinskaya, Tekhnologichesky Institut and then Baltiyskaya, so no change is needed.
On arrival: the vestibule is attached to the east wing of the Baltic Station, on the square in front of it (площадь Балтийского Вокзала).
By taxi or train: ask for the Baltic Station or the metro station Baltiyskaya. Commuter trains from the Baltic Station run to Peterhof and Oranienbaum.
Accessibility
Baltiyskaya is a deep station reached by escalators. Whether a lift or other step-free route is available was not verified for this article, so check the accessibility information on the official website of the Saint Petersburg Metro and consider asking staff before you travel.
Food Nearby
There are no verified cafes inside the station. The Baltic Station building and the streets around the square have small cafes and shops, and a wider choice lies towards the centre.
What to Bring
A payment card or a Podorozhnik card, and a camera or phone ready before you go down. If you plan to ride a commuter train to Peterhof, check the timetable first.
Best Views and Photo Spots of Baltiyskaya Metro Station, Saint Petersburg
Forecourt, looking at the portico
The six-column porch with the five naval reliefs above the doors, set against the old railway building.
Best time: Daylight, ideally in clear weather.
End of the platform at the mosaic
The 1917 mosaic fills the end wall, with the cruiser Aurora silhouetted behind the marching sailors.
Best time: Between trains, when the platform is clearer.
Mid-platform, looking up
The ribbed ceiling with its two zigzag blue ribbons suggests a swollen sail running the length of the hall.
Best time: Off-peak, when fewer passengers cross the frame.
Across the tracks to the anchor grilles
Decorative anchors on the track-wall doors show how the naval theme runs into small details.
Best time: Between trains, from behind the platform edge line.
Photography Rules
Casual photography on the platform is generally tolerated, but tripods and professional filming typically need permission from the metro. Do not block the escalators, the platform edge or passengers, and avoid photographing staff or other people.
Family Suitability
Easy for families because the stop is short and the mosaic and ceiling are easy to see. The long escalator ride and the busy platform at rush hour need care with small children, and strollers should be folded or carried. A visit takes only a few minutes.
Russia Vibes Tips
- Start in the forecourt. The portico and its five naval reliefs are easier to see from outside before you enter.
- Read the theme: the marble, the sail-shaped ceiling and the anchor grilles all point to the sea, so try to spot all three.
- Step into the old Baltic Station hall to see the railway building that the metro pavilion is attached to.
- Combine the stop with a train to Peterhof if you are heading to the palaces; the terminal is next door.
- Ride to Narvskaya afterwards to compare the sea theme here with the labour theme there.
- Take photos at the mosaic from a slight angle, away from the platform edge, so you can see the Aurora in the background.
Explore Nearby Baltiyskaya Metro Station, Saint Petersburg
Sights near Baltiyskaya Metro Station, Saint Petersburg
Russian Railway Museum, Saint Petersburgabout 200 m away (~3 min walk) · typical visit: 2–3 hoursMain image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Train stations and river piers near Baltiyskaya Metro Station, Saint Petersburg
Baltiysky Railway Station, Saint Petersburgabout 50 m away (~1 min walk)Main image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
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FAQ: Baltiyskaya Metro Station, Saint Petersburg
Do I need a ticket to see Baltiyskaya station?
You need to pay for a metro ride to enter the platform area. There is no separate sightseeing ticket. See the fares section for payment options.
Why is it called Baltiyskaya?
It is named after the Baltic Station, which stands right beside it. During planning the project name was Baltiyskiy Vokzal.
What does the mosaic show?
The 1917 mosaic shows Baltic sailors, workers and soldiers marching to storm the Winter Palace, with the cruiser Aurora in the background. It is on the end wall of the central hall.
What is the theme of the station?
The theme is the maritime glory of the Soviet Union. It shows in the naval reliefs, the sea-coloured marble, the sail-like ceiling and the anchor grilles.
Can I take a train from here?
Yes, the Baltic Station beside it runs commuter trains to Peterhof and Oranienbaum. It does not handle long-distance trains.
How deep is the station?
It is a deep station, reported at about 57 metres, so you reach the platform by escalator.
How do I get there from the centre?
Take Line 1 towards Prospekt Veteranov; Baltiyskaya is the fourth stop after Ploshchad Vosstaniya. See the getting there section for the stations in order.
Is it worth a special trip?
If you like early Soviet design, yes, and it is easy to combine with a trip to Peterhof or with Narvskaya. With limited time, one of the central stations is easier.
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Last updated: October 16, 2026. Found an error or something out of date? Report it and we will check and fix it.
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