top

"Dostoevsky's "Crime and Punishment" walking tour

Dostoevsky in prison Discover the details of Fyodor Dostoevsky's novel "Crime and punishment" live, in real. You will be able to see many of the places, mentioned in the book and even make those 730 steps from where Raskolnikov lived to where he murdered the old lady. Some shots of vodka on the way.

Dostoevsky was born in Moscow in 1821, but he spent 28 years of his life in St. Petersburg. He came here as a 16-year-old boy in 1837 to study. His first novel written here was "Poor people". In 1849 Dostoevsky was arrested for being a member of Petrashevsky's club, which pushed revolutionary, socialist ideas into the public. He was condemned to death but then later was sent into exile instead, until 1854.

In 1859 Fyodor Mikhailovich wrote to his elder brother Mikhail that he wanted to create a novel which had been sitting in his head since the prison times. This novel would absorb his latest thoughts and feelings. He made a little comment at the end of the letter: "This one will make me famous…."

Dostoevsky’s writing During the 1860-s Dostoevsky was gambling a lot, he was a card player. He owed more and more money and as a result tried to run away from creditors. In June 1865 Dostoevsky sold the publishing rights of all his works to Stellovsky and accepted obligation of writing a new novel by November 1st, 1866. He also agreed that if he did not make it for any reason, Stellovsky would be the owner of all Dostoevsky's novels, including the future ones. The writer had to start "Crime and Punishment" but finished it only in 1867. He gave the other novel to Stellovsky, the "Gambler", which was in many ways an autobiography.

The action in most of Dostoevsky's novels takes place in St.Petersburg, but "Crime and Punishment" is the most Petersburg work. The time described in this novel is summer of 1865.

You will have a chance to recollect the following scenes from the "Crime and Punishment":

  • Sennya Square, where the conversation between Elizabeth and some lady merchant took place and from which Raskolnikov found out that the old lady (pawnbroker) would be alone in the evening in her house….
  • Stolyarniy lane, famous for having 18 taverns in 16 houses…
  • Houses, where Dostoevsky lived…
  • Radion Raskolnikov's house, where a wardrobe-like apartment was in….
  • Ekaterininsky canal…. with Sonya's place…and pawn-broker Alyona Ivanovna's house…
    18.01.2020