St. Petersburg, Russia, July 2007
Ron and Catherine the Great.
St. Isaac's Cathedral and a portion of the Admiralty Gardens that seemed to be an area where dogs could play off their leashes. Every time we were there, dogs (and owners) of varying sizes and shapes were having a fine time socializing.
When the police in St. Petersburg tow a car from a no-parking zone, they simply lift it onto the truck with a crane!
Along the Neva River embankment.
The Hermitage -- as far as the eye can see!
Dvortsovaya Ploschad (Palace Square), outside the Hermitage, and the Alexander Column, named after Alexander I and commemorating the 1812 victory over Napoleon. In this square tsarist troops fired on peaceful protesters on "Bloody Sunday," sparking the 1905 revolution.
Lions in the Hermitage courtyard; there were about 25 of them, all different.
Gostiniy Dvor (Merchant Yard) was one of the first indoor shopping malls, built 1757-1785, and in its current beautifully restored state, houses many shops. The perimeter measures 1 km.
Cruiser Aurora, built in 1900 for the Russo-Japanese War. The shot marking the start of the October 1917 Revolution was fired from the Aurora, and it was such a hallowed site that the Russians sank it during World War II to protect it from German bombs.
Firing the noon cannons at Saints Peter and Paul Fortress.
Church of Saints Peter and Paul inside the Peter and Paul Fortress.
Altar of the Church of Saints Peter and Paul.
Inside Church of Saints Peter and Paul.
One of four similar statues on the four corners of a bridge over the canal.
Alexandrinsky Theater, where we saw the ballet.
Balcony tiers in the Alexandrinsky Theater.
Ron and Catherine the Great.
St. Isaac's Cathedral and a portion of the Admiralty Gardens that seemed to be an area where dogs could play off their leashes. Every time we were there, dogs (and owners) of varying sizes and shapes were having a fine time socializing.
When the police in St. Petersburg tow a car from a no-parking zone, they simply lift it onto the truck with a crane!
Along the Neva River embankment.
The Hermitage -- as far as the eye can see!
Dvortsovaya Ploschad (Palace Square), outside the Hermitage, and the Alexander Column, named after Alexander I and commemorating the 1812 victory over Napoleon. In this square tsarist troops fired on peaceful protesters on "Bloody Sunday," sparking the 1905 revolution.
Lions in the Hermitage courtyard; there were about 25 of them, all different.
Gostiniy Dvor (Merchant Yard) was one of the first indoor shopping malls, built 1757-1785, and in its current beautifully restored state, houses many shops. The perimeter measures 1 km.
Cruiser Aurora, built in 1900 for the Russo-Japanese War. The shot marking the start of the October 1917 Revolution was fired from the Aurora, and it was such a hallowed site that the Russians sank it during World War II to protect it from German bombs.
Firing the noon cannons at Saints Peter and Paul Fortress.
Church of Saints Peter and Paul inside the Peter and Paul Fortress.
Altar of the Church of Saints Peter and Paul.
Inside Church of Saints Peter and Paul.
One of four similar statues on the four corners of a bridge over the canal.
Alexandrinsky Theater, where we saw the ballet.
Balcony tiers in the Alexandrinsky Theater.