Saint Petersburg is another a UNESCO World Heritage City. I will try now to show some of the sights I did not cover in previous posts, or in later scheduled ones.
We arrived in the afternoon and my first historical view of the city was the Moscow Triumphal Arch, commemorating the Russian victory over Turkey in the war of 1828. I learned that Russia has been in a lot of wars, both in the two history books I read before my trip and from our guides.
My first stop in the morning was to the Alexander Nevsky Monastery.
Another attraction in Saint Petersburg is the Church of our Saviour on the Spilled Blood. Here is a street view with the canal and a side view.
Kazan Cathedral below on Alexander Nevsky Prospekt.
The grandeur of St. Isaac's Cathedral with the statue of Nicholas I in St. Isaac's Square below
Saint Nicholas Cathedral below
A visit to the Peter and Paul Fortress is a must-see. There is so much history here.
Here is the Cathedral of Ss. Peter and Paul where the last Russian czar and his family are buried.
The spire on top of cathedral. One interior view below with the burial chamber for Nicholas and Alexandra and their children below that.
Bonus: S is for Sauron and Saruman. They are both so evil, it is hard to think of one without the other. Saruman the White coveted the One Ring. At Isengard he produced the Uruk-Hai. Sauron ruled in Mordor and eventually was defeated in the War of the Rings.
Wow - again. Look at that St. Nicholas Cathedral in all its splendid glory.
ReplyDeleteSo much of being a tourist here revolves around their churches. For a nation that didn't believe in God 25 years ago, they sure are promoting him now.
DeleteBeautiful. The Cathedrals and the churches are just gorgeous over there. Don't think I'll ever find myself in Russia personally, but the pictures are lovely to see.
ReplyDeletehttps://njmagas.wordpress.com/
I am so grateful that I am able to go there and share these pictures. Glad you enjoyed them.
DeleteThe churches are just all so beautiful! :)
ReplyDelete@TarkabarkaHolgy from
Multicolored Diary - Epics from A to Z
MopDog - 26 Ways to Die in Medieval Hungary
That penultimate picture is absolutely glorious. Reminded me of a cathedral I visited in Montreal but more splendid. What stupendous buildings and churches the Russians built. So sad it can't be achieved any more but the money that went into these places must have been staggering. Not surprising there was a revolution really.
ReplyDeleteMost of these had to be restored after the war and after the fall of the Soviet Union. That cost has to be staggering. Which is why I think they encourage tourists.
DeleteThis looks so beautiful and you were so lucky to have seen this city (or at least a little bit of it). The churches are stunning and would love to see the interiors
ReplyDeleteI'll have to show more pictures after the challenge. Of course, when churches are used for regular services, like Kazan, pictures inside are not allowed.
DeleteThis city will remain at the top of my bucket list until I make it there.
ReplyDeleteGood luck with the A to Z Challenge!
A to Z Co-Host S. L. Hennessy
http://pensuasion.blogspot.com/
Well, it was at the top of my bucket list for many, many years. I didn't want to do the one or two-day cruise component, so I had to save to do this nearly private tour, just four travelers.
DeleteSt. Petersburg is probably the Russian city I most want to see. Your photos are amazing. Lisa, co-host AtoZ 2015, @ http://www.lisabuiecollard.com
ReplyDeleteI also wanted to see that city the most. I thought I could skip Moscow. Now that I have seen it, I would tell anyone to go and spend a few days there. The contrast of the two cities and the people is quite interesting.
DeleteThe pictures are fantastic. I would love to see St. Petersburg.
ReplyDeleteI hope you get to see it someday. It is a very beautiful city.
DeleteI hope you do carry on with more of your photos after the Challenge!
ReplyDeleteI've got enough for another A to Z - minus Q and X, lol.
DeleteFantastic pictures. Thank you for sharing the beauty of the city.
ReplyDeleteYou are very welcome. Thanks for stopping by.
DeleteOne of my husband's cousins (a world traveler) took a river cruise in Russia, and raved about it. I would llove to see more of your photos. What a wondeful topic for the A to Z this was for you. My father's father was born in Pinsk, and I've wanted to see Russia ever since the Soviet Union went away. It may be a while, though, due to family circumstances. Thank you for this armchair visit. Alana ramblinwitham.blogspot.com
ReplyDeleteI originally thought I would do a river cruise, but so glad we did the drive. Maybe the cruise is in my future? It would be nice to go back.
DeleteI'm glad I got to see your pics. I know it is a lovely city and probably one I won't get to. Thx.
ReplyDeleteCreating Life Beautifully - A to Z Challenge
I am glad you enjoyed them. Thanks for stopping by.
Delete