W, X, Y, and Z. The last four letters for the Challenge. Let's go.
The Winter Palace in Saint Petersburg, Russia is THE place to see. As part of the Historic center of Saint Petersburg, the palace in also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Even before you enter the buildings it is just breathtaking. Here are just a few photos.
The view from the Neva River:
Standing in Palace Square:
The Palace Arch on the south side of the square, facing the above, with the Army General Staff Building
Passing through the gates into the courtyard:
The Interiors:
The Peacock Clock It's an automaton. Watch the video (link) to see it move. Astounding!
Tolkien Bonus: W is for the War of the Ring, the subject of the Lord of the Rings. I have two beautiful editions of these books, one with original drawings. The books really are better than the movies, though they were excellent, IMHO.
My son wants to be an architect. He would put the paintings in second place, too. Thanks for sharing. That was simply beautiful!
ReplyDeleteScribbles From Jenn - Visiting from the A to Z Challenge
I had dreams of being an architect too. I hope your son achieves that goal. Lots of beautiful architecture in Russia. Thanks for visiting.
DeleteBrilliant photographs. The red interior is stunning. www.thatspurrfect.blogspot.com
ReplyDeleteWith almost 1,000 photos on this trip, it was hard to choose. Thanks for stopping by.
DeleteI always thought this building was gorgeous, inside and out. Thank you for the amazing pictures! :)
ReplyDelete@TarkabarkaHolgy from
Multicolored Diary - Epics from A to Z
MopDog - 26 Ways to Die in Medieval Hungary
It is just so incredible to stand inside you don't know where to look first.
DeleteThat is some palace! The architecture is stunning. I could go crazy taking pictures there. :)
ReplyDeleteI did go crazy taking pictures. It was so hard to choose what to show.
DeleteWow, that's gorgeous! I bet it's just so overwhelming in person. I can't believe this is the last week!
ReplyDeleteTime flies when you're having fun and A to Z is always FUN.
DeleteDefinitely an overwhelming experience. I remember going through it one day with my Russian host mom and I felt like my eyes were blown out. She asked me how I liked it and I think I blubbered, it was so intense. It's not a museum I have the energy to visit every day! The other cool thing I remember is that there was a little theater to the side of the Hermitage and one could watch very intimate performances of ... plays or musicals. I don't think they did ballet there but it was really a nice space.
ReplyDeleteMaui Jungalow
I blogged about the theatre for Q. It is overwhelming.
DeleteWhat a stunning palace. Words fail me. I watched the video of the clock too. Incredible piece of work. I would so like to visit some of these places you have been showing us, but it will never happen now. The interior is incredible.
ReplyDeleteI think about countries that I will likely never see. Like Egypt. I'm glad and thankful that I've been able to visit so many countries. They only operate the clock during the White Nights so we did not see it in action, but they run the video which I had seen a few years ago on YouTube.
DeleteOh, wow! It really is gorgeous! I felt like I might have seen a picture of it before.... is that the palace associated with the night the princess Anastasia went missing?
ReplyDeleteThe last Royal Family was staying at the Alexander Palace (post for letter Q) at the time they were 'taken'. But, hey, after a while all of these palaces begin to look the same.
DeleteMy mouth dropped open when I saw the first interior shot with the blue columns. I am, what's the British term-Gobsmacked!. This is so precious and beauteous.
ReplyDeleteI have over 100 photos of the palace so I may re-visit this. I walked around with my mouth hanging open for most of the trip. It certainly was awe inspiring.
Deletewish I could teleport and have a private viewing.
ReplyDeletezannierose A-Z
Is there an app for that? Thanks for stopping by.
Deletewow the architecture is stunning. Gorgeous place. Russia is definitely on my list :D
ReplyDeleteMy list keeps getting longer, but at least I can check this off of it.
DeleteHow do they keep these places up? Splendid and beautiful and amazing... the list can go on forever! Lisa, co-host AtoZ 2015, @ http://www.lisabuiecollard.com
ReplyDeleteI cannot imagine what the cost is to the country. Obviously tourism must bring in a lot of cash. And in many places that forbid photos, you can pay a nice sum to use your camera. At least the bathrooms were free, unlike Germany.
Delete