Day 2 started at 0800, not as early as the day before but early enough. We were late getting to our meeting place with the rest of the group. The first day was long. We left the ship around 0700 and didn't return until after 2100. This is a view from the boat down onto the Russian customs house, where they inspected our passports and visas before entry into Russia.
Getting started with a photo op at St. Isaac's Cathedral. The Germans intended to blow it up after the Russians surrendered St. Petersburg (thankfully that never happened). It was not bombed during the war because it was used as a navigational point in the city, although the dome was painted over in gray to detract attention from it.
Statue of Peter the Great in front of St. Isaac's. The statue is supported on on the horse's two back legs.
Portrait Gallery - Inside the Hermitage Museum, one of the largest and oldest in the world. 3 million item in the collection, not all on display, we arrived an hour before the general opening time. There were other tour groups in the museum as well, but it was walk and look.
The interior of the building (formerly a palace) was just an impressive as the art.
The queue for a look at a work by one of the masters.
Sculptures
Sculpture
Outside the Hermitage, looking out on Palace Square and the Alexander Column, the tallest granite column in the world. When it was first erected, people were afraid it would fall over so no one got too close to it.
Door to St. Isaac's
Inside St. Isaac's, it was a full house.
Incredible
On the way to the Yusupov Palace in the center of the city. The Palace was the place where Rasputin finally met his end.
St. Nikolas Cathedral
Getting started with a photo op at St. Isaac's Cathedral. The Germans intended to blow it up after the Russians surrendered St. Petersburg (thankfully that never happened). It was not bombed during the war because it was used as a navigational point in the city, although the dome was painted over in gray to detract attention from it.
Statue of Peter the Great in front of St. Isaac's. The statue is supported on on the horse's two back legs.
Portrait Gallery - Inside the Hermitage Museum, one of the largest and oldest in the world. 3 million item in the collection, not all on display, we arrived an hour before the general opening time. There were other tour groups in the museum as well, but it was walk and look.
The interior of the building (formerly a palace) was just an impressive as the art.
The queue for a look at a work by one of the masters.
Sculptures
Sculpture
Very impressive
Outside the Hermitage, looking out on Palace Square and the Alexander Column, the tallest granite column in the world. When it was first erected, people were afraid it would fall over so no one got too close to it.
Door to St. Isaac's
Inside St. Isaac's, it was a full house.
Church dome
Incredible
On the way to the Yusupov Palace in the center of the city. The Palace was the place where Rasputin finally met his end.
Again, I wasn't awake for the last picture. On the way to Tallinn, Estonia.
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