St. Petersburg is gloomy!
St. Petersburg is bleak!
My underwear got frozen standing here all week!
Oh, since the revolution our lives have been so gray!
Thank goodness for the gossip that gets us through the day! Hey!
Have you heard There's a rumor in St. Petersburg?
Have you heard What they're saying on the street?
-Rumor in St. Petersburg, AnastasiaPeter the Great, the founder of St. Petersburg.
Though, despite the similar name the city was actually named after St Peter one of Christ's diciples and not a tribute to it's ruler.He was especially interested in the latest techniques of shipbuilding and seamanship, particularly navigation. He also wanted to study the way navies were organised, and recruit specialists to travel home with him.
The above statue looks over the beautiful river and was given to the City by the Netherlands to celebrate Peter the Great and aknowledge his love of Amsterdam.
Peter the Great actually spent two years traveling around Western Europe desguised as a apprentence to investigate and learn about new technologies and sciences.
(Ok, breif history lesson over let me tell you about my wonderful stay in this magnificent city.)
We spent our first day exploring the Nevsky Prospect the main street in St. Petersburg.
The streets are full of a mix of both old and new. As H&M & Mcdonalds stand side by side with cathedrals and historical palaces.
The canals are reminiscent of Amsterdam with small bridges, beautiful water ways and charming boats.
Enter the Church on the Spilled Blood...
This exquisite memorial built in 1883 on the site were Tsar Alexander II was assasinated.
The inside is meticulous decorated with mosaics.
No paintings!
Each wall is covered cornor to cornor with thousands of tiny tiles to make the angelic images.
The church was built by Tsar Alexander III for his father. The place his father was killed is clearly marked out with the original cobblestone flooring.
The church is absolutely stunning!
No doubt it is the most amazing, bright and beautiful interior of a church
I have ever seen or witnessed in Europe.
After our visit to Our Saviour we stopped for another delicious Russian Lunch.
I decided on buckwheat, a Russian meatball, a pork kebab, Russian salad, bread and raspberry pastry.
D e - l i c - i o u s! !
At the end of Nevsky Prospect you come to Admiralteyskaya. This is the main square in Russia.
On one side you face the Hermitage Museum, once a palace now a large collection of artefacts. It is said that if you were to spend a total of 3 minutes in every room you would need 10 years to visit the museum.
The buildings continues, going down and around corners.
At the old entrance stands men holding up the foundations of the building.
Making a wish while rubbing their toe, makes your wish come true.
The Alexander column was built in Palace Square to celebrate
Alexander’s victory over Napoleon's French Forces. On top of the column the
snake's face has been created similar to Napoleon's and the angel bears the face of Alexander.
At the time it was unveiled in 1834 it stood as the tallest monument in the world at 47.5 meters. However, the public feared it may fall and never approached it. The architect, Auguste Montferrand, walked his dog around the column every day till his death to prove how safe it was.
Let me introduce you to Cinnabon...
An American franchise that Russia has adopted as their own...
Reminds me of the days working in my Parent's Pretzel Shop!
Yummy!!!!!
St. Petersburg (unlike sunny, hot Moscow) was mostly grey and rainy while we were there.
Medieval Torture Museum....
Let me tell you about a few of my (am I allowed to say favourites) more interesting torture techniques:
Spiky shoes...
If the prisoner presses down with his heels, large metal spikes come through and pierce his skin,
forcing him to stand on his tiptoes for as long as possible.
This mask directed your eyes to a small piece of ham or beef hanging at the end of the hook nose.
Forced to wear it for a few days, staring at food you cannot eat.
This just looks painful as all hell...
A chastity belt (I thought this only existed in Robbin Hood Men In Tights)
My new mate Vladimir.
We feel the same pain?!?
Afterwards we explored more of the Peter and Paul Fortress.
and then as always it was time for more food!
Borscht soup, bread and potatoes. YUMMY!
WE LOVE RUSSIA!!!
That night I bought an ice-cream treat from the grocery shop...
Pre-made, Ice-cream cone!
Russia, you be crazy!
The next day we headed to the Smolny Cathedral.
A beautiful Orthodox Church that is now used as a concert hall.
One of the most gorgeous buildings I have seen. It reminded me of large scale Wedgwood.
Afterwards, we stopped for brunch, mince blini and coffee. Russian food is amazing!
With majority of the sites out of the way it was time to enjoy more of that Russian ambrosia know as Vodka...
The Russian Vodka Museum!!
The original masterminds, working hard on the liquid gold!
Did you know, Russian Vodka is always 40% no more, no less? #themoreyouknow
The evolution of shot glasses.
Vodka in a tube.
Did you know many Russian brands we love, such as Smirnoff and Stravinsky are no longer made in Russia but have been sold off. #themoreyouknow.
This bottle of wine found in a German camp during WWII is believed to be poisoned and as such has never been opened.
Then came the best time...
Tasting time...
Three shots of Vodka...Thank You!!!!
After all that Vodka it was time for some dinner!
This time we visited a neighbouring country by going to a Georgian Restaurant.
Khinkali, are dumplings ours were stuffed with meat or cheese.
Georgian bread is a delicious cheesy bread, despite it looks it its not a cheese pizza.
For main Fiona had a Chicken stew
and I had lamb shashlik.
Afterwards I visited the palace were the traitor Rasputin was killed.
St. Isaac's Cathedral has been renovated and redesigned as each new Tsar came to power in St. Petersburg.
Now it stands with it's history showing to the world as two columns still stand displaying wounds from Hitler's siege in WWII.
We also were able to climb up the bell tower to the rooftop of the cathedral.
All in all we had a ball,
in St. Petersburg!
I would have to say now Russia is one of my favourite places and one of my best trips.
Beautiful country, beautiful people, beautiful produce.
And a beautiful travel companion too - Thanks Fiona!!!!
I'll just have to keep drinking White Russians and imagining I am there until I am able to visit again!
Joey
xxx
