Blog about Urals

The first part of our New Year holidays was described here, so as the amount of photos is quite big, I decided to make a separate review of St. Petersburg.
3rd of January, Sunday
Upon the arrival we left a luggage in a cloak chamber and hurried to the Hermitage. This was the only possibility to visit it (the next day was a day off). On the way we took photos with Peter the Great and Ekaterina, saw The Kazansky Cathedral and walked over Nevskiy avenue. To get into the Hermitage was a bit difficult. After we arrived there we saw long queue of visitors. But undoubtedly it was worth staying in the queue for an hour and a half. The Hermitage has the right to be a world’s cultural heritage. Walking through luxurious halls you suddenly find yourself in the past and see the culture of different countries.
After the second floor and a half of the 3rd floor we left the museum and met with our friends from St. Petersburg. They showed us the evening city with its main sights changing fast behind the window.

the Kazansky Cathedral

our friendly company

inside the Hermitage, I

inside the Hermitage, II

inside the Hermitage, III

4th of January, Monday
It was the last day of our journey, that’s why we woke up early in the morning and set off to the excursion to Petropavlovskaya Krepost (Peter and Paul’s Fortress). This place is considered as the historical core of the city. The first stone of the fortress was laid in 1703 to “close” the Neva river and protect the city. But it was never used for these goals and rather held political prisoners.

On the fortress’ territory there is a cathedral where russian monarchs are buried and also a set of museums. The prison and the museum of city’s history seemed to us the most interesting to visit.

The Petropavlovsky Cathedral

view from the other side

inside the cathedral

prison cell

inside the museum

car from the past

view from museum's window

When we left the territory of the fortress we decided to see the famous Spas-na-krovi Cathedral (Saviour on the blood). Our route came through the Marsovo pole (Mars field) and Mikhailovskiy Sad (the Mikhailovskiy garden).

Saviour on the blood

near the cathedral

Unfortunately we didn’t have time for St Isaak’s Cathedral with the panorama of the city as it was time to get on the train home.
Somebody can say that it’s better to see St. Petersburg in spring or in summer and I agree with him. It’s so because of its wet climate. Therefore I think we’ll visit it again.
In conclusion several pictures of evening St. Petersburg:

the monument for empress Ekaterina II

rostral column

frozen Neva river

Aurora cruiser

And my favourite:

So, I can say that the trip impressions are the best one. I liked everything, saw a lot of beautiful places and got a mass of positive emotions.
Oh, I forgot! Happy New Year to everyone!