Church of the Resurrection
This spectacular onion-domed church
View from Nevsky Prospect
This is a view of the Church of the Resurrection along a canal from Nevsky
Prospect.
The Smolny Cathedral
PhotoMann literally had to run to this side of the Cathedral to get this
shot during the 10-15 minute bus stop.
St. Isaac's Cathedral
As seen from St. Isaac's Square.
Russian Dancer
PhotoMann and family attended an evening Russian cultural
dance performance. The flash here froze the dancer in mid-air.
Inside the Hermitage
The Hermitage, also known as the Winter Palace, offers
a world class collection of artwork. The interior architecture is as
grand as the art it holds. This is the view looking up the massive stairway
to the exhibit area.
Hermitage Ceiling
Hermitage Floor Mosaic
PhotoMann's group is seen here admiring a mosaic inlaid in the floor.
Paintings on Display
Copying a Painting
This artist is making a copy of a painting hanging in the Hermitage.
Van Gough Painting
Many remarkable paintings including this Van Gough are
hanging on the wall with little fanfare. One could walk right up to
the paintings. This image was shot with my digital camera at less than
an arm length away.
Military Band in Palace Square
This military band was practicing for the City Day celebration
to be held the next day.
Grumpy Tourist
PhotoBabe exhibits her reaction to the frantic pace
of the 1/2 day city tour. Her expression mirrored that of other tourists
in the group that only had 10-15 minutes at each bus destination.
Party in front of Hermitage
The area around the Hermitage was crowded with thousands
of partiers celebrating the city's 300th anniversary. The sun was
still hanging low in the sky when this was shot about 10pm.
Palace Square
Palace Square was packed with partiers enjoying the
vast array of entertainment. There were multiple stages for a variety
of entertainers to perform simultaneously. It was a wonderful experience
to be there with the high energy crowd of celebrating the 300th anniversary
of St. Petersburg.
Catherine the Great's Palace
The facade and interior of Catherine the Great's Place
is very European. The architecture and landscaping is typical of what
I expect in Vienna or at Versailles.The only addition is the gilded
domes.
Catherine the Great's Palace
The garden included grass in various patterns.
Grand Ballroom
The grand ballroom was itself a piece of art!
Beautiful Hall
This large hall had beautiful parquet floors. The
wall was covered with magnificent paintings.
Ornately Decorated Room
An intricately decorated room within the palace.
Suggested St.
Petersburg Travel Guides
(Order Through Amazon Books - Click on the book name)
Insight
Pocket Guide St. Petersburg
The Insight Pocket Guide series of books is my favorite
for short stays at any destination. The book highlights the must see
destinations in full day and half day itineraries. This includes detailed
maps and suggested walking routes. This guide is a must have especially
for a short visit.
Eyewitness
Travel Guides: St. Petersburg
Eyewitness guides provide great detail on sights and history. It's
a great reference especially with it's fantastic three dimensional
cutaway views of sites and monuments to point out all the details.
It makes finding things much easier than merely having a bunch of
words and a map.
Lonely
Planet St. Petersburg
Lonely
Planet Russia, Ukraine & Belarus
As with most Lonely Planet guides, these editions are invaluable
resources for planning your journey. They offer you the most up-to-date
information about where to go and where to aviod, how to get there
and get around, where to stay at a reasonable rate. The guides provide
everything you'll need to know for a rewarding visit.
Fodor's
Moscow and St. Petersburg
A lively, graphic, full-color guidebook to Moscow and St.
Petersburg. The author provides solid travel reporting on every region
including what to see and do plus recommended tours. It's rating system
identifies the not-to-be-missed sights.
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