This is a few blocks from my apartment at the Hay Square. There are no English signs but it is great to be here.
My guide Anna and I walked a few blocks to St Isaac's Square.
To the left is the monument of Nicolas I from around 1850.
The corner building on the right is the Astoria hotel where Hitler wanted to celebrate his victory over Russia in World War II. He even had sent his invitations to his friends but guess what....He LOST!!!
This palace was built for Maria who was Nicolas I daughter. Now it is the city council building. This is behind Nicolas I statue and Maria didn't want to live there because she looked out the window at the back of her father and horse.
This shows Nicolas I on the horse and Maria's palace.
Issac lived in the 4th century and the cathedral was built in the 19th century.
It is funny that this mosaic of him has a picture of the cathedral.
The two blue columns were made of Lapis, which is very rare. The stones were a gift from the ruler of Afganistan to Nicolas I in the 1850s. Most of Russian churches, Christ is wearing blue. He is wearing red here because the architect was Catholic and French (tough mix) and so wanted to depict Christ in the Roman Catholic way. The stained glass was made in Munich.
I loved this Cathedral. This is the fourth largest Cupola in the world. I have been to the first three. They are St. Peters in Rome, St. Paul's in London and Santa Maria in Florence. Bellisema. St Issac was a monk in the 4th century and Peter the Great who found St. Petersburg was born on his name day. So St Issac was a patron saint of Peter the Great. The cathedral was built between 1818-1858.
This view is from the top of St Issac
which you can only get to by climbing 300 steps in a circular staircase which only goes on way up.
You can't go half way and go back down.
You are shot on the spot.
Couldn't wait to get my big glass of Vodka. Of course you can't mix it with juice here. Straight vodka, pretty crazy. Had an awesome bowl of hot Borscht and very good veal and potatoes. Also had a good Russian Beer.
These two guys told me so much about Peter the Great since they lived at the same time of Peter. Cheers with the Vodka!!
In 1881, Alexander II was assassinated on the spot where I am standing. (Don't shoot me, please) His wound was fatal. Afterwards, the government built this incredible church on spilled blood.
Anna's husband owns a boat tour company. I was lucky enough to do a private tour of St Petersburg for an hour. Luckily, Anna called her husband beforehand and he got me some great large dark Russian beers called Baltic #4 and #6. #1 is lame light blonde beer so #6 was GOOD!
I really enjoyed this boat tour. We are coming up the canal to the church on spilled blood. Anna had a good idea with my palm.
This first day in St Petersburg was just incredible.
