A city willed into being (out of a swamp) by Peter the Great, St. Petersburg is a very European city. It showcases palaces, gardens, statues and arched bridges over graceful waterways. Three wonderful churches define the skyline as one enters the city.

The gold dome of St. Isaac’s Cathedral glitters over the city. While perhaps reminding Americans of the US Capital building, the dome is the 4th largest in the world. The church built between 1818 and 1858 emphasizes the one piece granite columns shipped from a Finnish quarry 150 miles away. A beautiful sight even on a rainy day – –

St. Isaac’s Cathedral towers over the city.

The Church on Spilled Blood is perhaps the more anticipated look of the Russian church. It is built on the place where a revolutionary assassinated Czar Alexander II in 1881 – thus the name. Exuberantly decorated with its gilded top of onion domes, it is a perfect photo opportunity – EXCEPT for all the electric and phone lines;-(

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A REALLY rainy day – but it didn’t stop us!

Third is the Kazan Cathedral – a functioning house of worship (the prior two are basically museums today) for the Orthodox. The sweeping exterior portico is patterned after St. Peter’s in Rome and is another city landmark.

One of the most stunning and notable sights along the Neva is the Peter and Paul Fortress, with its slender golden spire. This is the sight of the birth of St. Petersburg when in 1703 Peter the Great began building this fortress to secure territory he had won in battle with the Swedes. The centerpiece of the fortress is the cathedral, whose dome can be seen behind the spire. This was the first church built in St. Petersburg and is the final resting place of the Romanov czars, who ruled Russia from 1613 – 1917.

An awesome fortress protecting the city.

This early 18th century cathedral was designed in Baroque style by a Swiss-Italian architect imported by Peter the Great to introduce European culture to Russia. Therefore, not surprisingly, the interior is NOT typical Russian. Here rests Peter the Great in the lower right corner and Catherine II the Great in the upper left. Elizabeth (ruling between Peter and Catherine) is in the lower left corner.

Back outside in the rain, one is able to see the watchtower frequented by Catherine as an escape to watch the ships go by. Also, from this deck the cannons shoot at noon daily and can be heard around the city!!

Beware the noon blast!!

One more stop along the Neva to catch a glimpse of the St. Isaac’s Dome towering over the Winter Palace and the Hermitage (to be seen on another day).

So ends the first day in St. Petersburg. A Grand – very European – city created by Peter the Great and enhanced by Elizabeth and Catherine the Great.

E & G looking excitedly for more