...and thus begins part two of seven. How excited are you?! I know, I know.
This entry is about the Петропавловская Крепость (Peter and Paul Fortress). This was the first building in St. Pete. The church steeple shown below is the second tallest building in Saint Petersburg (St. Petersburg has no skyscrapers).
Once again, since I like history, I'm going to throw some quick facts at you. And once again, feel free to skip over this section if you find it boring...you won't hurt my feelings :-) The Peter and Paul Fortress was established on May 27, 1703. It was built at the height of the Northern War (between Russia and Sweden). It was built on the last upstream island on the Neva river to protect the capital city against Swedish attack; however, the fortress never was attacked by the Swedes. It includes a prison that was used mainly for political or high ranking prisoners. The prison is where Peter the Great placed his son for plotting against him to take the power of Tsar of Russia (gotta love the crazy Russian history!)
Alright, enough history. Here are some pictures. Enjoy!
The Peter and Paul Cathedral (Петропавловский Собор) with its bell tower. Once again it is the second tallest building in all of Saint Petersburg at 123.2 meters (over 404 feet).
Inside the cathedral. Simply beautiful//amazing.
Again, the insides. So intricate and beautiful.
Paintings on the ceiling of the cathedral.
Part of the Iconostasis. All gold and all amazing.
The gave of Peter the Great.
Tsar Nicholas II and his family. He was the last Tsar of Russia and was executed by the Bolsheviks.
Me with the church in the background.
View on the outside walls of the fortress across the Neva River.
...and the best for last. O-H-I-O!!! From right to left (Graham=O, Jordan, Hanna=H, Andrea, Katie=I, and myself=O)
Well that's enough for one day. I hope you enjoyed the mini tour thus far. And just remember, still 5 more entries to come ;-) Time for bed.
Спокойной Ночи (Spokoinoi Nochi = Good Night)
Thanks again for the history lesson. It helps my feeble brain. Your photos of the inside of the Cathedral are Spectacular! It looks as if all you had to do was start snapping pictures in any directions and it was going to be a good one. "Beautiful, amazing, intricate, all of those things and more. It make the interior of our buildings over here look rather bland! Very enjoyable stuff! Keep it coming,
ReplyDeletePerry
wow ben! st. petersburg looks beautiful, and I agree with your dad, much cleaner than Moscow. The church is really pretty, are most of them extravagant like that one? is the church still in use or is just a tourist site now? can't wait to see the next 5 posts! love you :)
ReplyDeleteamanda
Commrade Ben...
ReplyDeleteNostrovia...Did Col Klink visit any of these
places....Next time do BEMIDJI....get some
of your Russian delegates involved for that one.
What happened to the Mary....from that Peter,Paul and Mary group....where is her statue.
No womens lib over there!!!
See u on Fathers Day....I've got the OJ...u know
what to bring..
Peace,
Col Klink
Dear Ben-
ReplyDeleteThese first 2 posts are great. The pictures are spectacular (I think someone already said that but I agree). I am truly enjoying the history lesson. I also like the Russian words you throw in...I try to correlate the letters to the English translation...and I don't have a clue...it's all Greek to me!
Take care.
Love, Aunt Patti
PS More pictures of you are always welcomed!
Hi Ben ....
ReplyDeletePeter and Paul Cathedral is just beautiful - no "Saints" in the title? How great that you are allowed to take pictures .... I suppose words could never describe the beauty.
Peter the Great grave's, is that in the Cathedral? Or is he in another location?
Looking forward to Part 3 :)
Have a good weekend.
Be safe, May God Bless, Love, Mom
P.S. Tomorrow A Patti, A Paula and I head to HHI .... we'll try not to get locked out! Did that bring a smile? How about for you, Amanda?