I believe these were members of the Russian Navy.
Originally they once stood in the Alley of Sphinxes in front of one of the Pharaohs, but for nearly two centuries they have been here on the banks of the River Neva rather than on the Nile.
Neva River looking toward the Peter and Paul Fortress with cathedral in center--
The
Narva Triumphal Arch--Erected
as a memorial to the war of 1812 to greet soldiers returning home from
their victory over Napoleon.
Amazingly enough, we were taken to two
sections of the Metro (the city's underground subway system.) The Metro
used to be called the magnificent "palaces of the People" during the
Soviet Union years.
The construction of the subway was started after WWII, and its expansion continues endlessly, new stations opening periodically.
A ride was arranged between the Technological Institute and the Moscow Arch of Triumph stations.
All of the stations are totally different and individually designed--some are luxurious with artwork, statues, sculptures, mosaic walls, and chandeliers, while others are simpler looking.
On the way to our next stop, I snapped this picture of a little lake, but instead of real people fisherman, these were all just statues fishing from the lake!
Our first stop today was Peterhof to see the Grand Palace and Fountains. Peterhof--(suburb of St. Petersburg) Founded
in 1710 as a summer residence for Peter the Great situated 22 miles SW
of St. Petersburg.
We passed the beautiful Church of the Grand Palace.
Peter the Great drafted the layout for the 300-acre park and supervised the design of the palace fountains.
We strolled through the lower parks and gardens.
Oranzhereiny Fountain depicting a triton (a mythological Greek god, the messenger of the sea) grappling with a sea monster.
In addition to the beautiful fountains, there are, also, the ever-popular Joke Fountains, including one which sprays unwary passers-by who step on a particular paving stone.
Bronze statue on marble of Peter the Great...
The palace building was badly damaged by German
troops during WWII, as was shown in these pictures. Painstaking restoration started soon after the war
but was not completed and opened to the public until 2003.
Very funny little sign but with an important message--"Be careful of pickpockets!"
Built to rival Versailles in France, the Grand Palace sits atop of a high hill overlooking the Gulf of Finland.
The most famous ensemble of fountains, the Grand Cascade, which runs
from the northern facade of the Grand Palace to the Marine Canal,
comprises 64 different fountains, and over 200 bronze statues,
bas-reliefs, and other decorations.
Enormous pipes feed all these fountains--originally they were made of wood!
At the center stands Rastrelli's spectacular statue of Samson wrestling the jaws of a lion, symbolizing Peter's victory over Sweden in 1709.
At the center stands Rastrelli's spectacular statue of Samson wrestling the jaws of a lion, symbolizing Peter's victory over Sweden in 1709.
All of the fountains operate without the
use of pumps. Water is supplied from natural springs and collects in
reservoirs in the Upper Gardens. The elevation difference creates the
pressure that drives most of the fountains of the Lower Gardens,
including the Grand Cascade.
The palace overlooks the Grand Cascade and gardens opening onto the Baltic Sea.
Although we didn't get to go inside the palace or any of the buildings here, we were able to see the great care and design Peter the Great took in designing all of the grounds and buildings.
The funny thing is that Peter the Great ended up living in this "bungalow" that was the first building on the grounds, rather than his "too magnificent" palace.
This bungalow was close to the water's edge and close to the island fort that housed his fledgling Russian navy.
We ate lunch at the beautiful new Summer Palace Restaurant.
We then started on our way to our next stop: Catherine's Palace.
This palace was built for the wife of Peter the Great. The facade of the palace extends for almost 1000 feet!
Gold onion domes crown the palace's chapel.
Close-up of 15-foot tall carved Atlas figures supporting the globe on their shoulders.
Surrounding the palace are 1,400 acres
of manicured gardens and parkland. The palace exceeds all the other
palaces with its gigantic size and unique decorations.
White vestibule with an impressive
marble staircase leading up to a hall with crimson curtains and walls
adorned with porcelain pieces and...
...about the only room that isn't gold!
Fancy barometer (one of two) in the large entrance hall
The Great Hall (Also
known as the Grand Ballroom) reminded us of the "Hall of Mirrors" at
Versailles--hundreds of small and large gilded mirrors reflect the light
and make this giant hall seem even bigger.
Each of the numerous gilded carvings that cover the walls is a masterpiece in itself.
Elaborate ceiling paintings in almost every room!
These beautiful Delft porcelain heaters heated the rooms with boiling water circulating through the inside pipes.
State Dining Room--where Catherine the Great entertained her guests.
A Russian couple modeled the period costumes of the time. I laughed when our grandson, Parker, tried to kiss her hand when he came up to her, but she would have nothing to do with it--like she was royalty and he was merely a peon! Hah!
Chess set on marquetry table and floor!
Large portrait of Elizabeth, Catherine the Great's mother-in-law!
Painting of Catherine the Great's massive dress and cape.
We, also, got to visit the famous Amber Room.
Construction on this room began in 1701. After some 18th-century renovations, the
room covered about 180 square feet and glowed with six tons of amber and
other semi-precious stones. The amber panels were backed with gold
leaf, and historians estimate that, at the time, the room was worth $142
million in today's dollars. After looting by the Germans in 1941, it took 25 years to reconstruct and $11 million. It is absolutely one of the most exquisite rooms you could ever see!
Stucco bas-reliefs based on motifs from frescoes discovered in Pompeii were more to the likings of Catherine the Great (Catherine II) than the Baroque style.
With the bombing of Leningrad (St.
Petersburg), the Germans intentionally destroyed the Palace leaving only
the hollow shell behind. This photograph (upper right) looks straight down the
doorways, only this time all of the gold and glitz are gone.
Lower left and middle: Pictures showing where the roof trusses caved in.
Prior to WWII, Russian archivists
managed to document a fair amount of the contents of the palace, which
were crated up! The restoration was amazing, and now the rest of the
world can see how the imperial family lived!!!
As we were leaving Catherine's Palace, Alison and Parker met some people from China and started talking to them in Chinese. It was so fun watching them all interact! I wish I knew a foreign language!
Sites along the way as we returned to our ship.
Returning to our ship, we had to say good-bye to our wonderful Russian guide! We had been with her for two days and we almost felt like family! Hah! I laughed when she told our grandson, Parker, that he could kiss her good-bye on her cheek! We had come a long way from when we first met her and she never smiled!
We soon were on our way to Helsinki, Finland!
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