Figs From Thistles: St. Petersburg, Russia

Whatever the political situation may be, we were happy to be able to show the kiddos a part of Russia. St. Petersburg has a rich history and feels almost mystical. We were able to take the kiddos to Peterhof, Catherine Palace, The Hermitage, Peter and Paul Fortress, St. Isaac's Cathedral, and The Church of the Savior on Spilled Blood. We'd very much like to return to this beautiful city!

Peterhof

View of the canal from Peterhof's steps

We took a hydrofoil from Peterhof across the Bay of Finland back to St. Petersburg. The previous day had been the last of a celebration marking Russia's 310 year naval history. Many ships were still docked in St. Petersburg, and we got to see some of them.

Church on the Spilled Blood

Tombs of the last Tsar, Nicholas II, and his family. Contrary to folklore, Anastasia's remains are here; it's her sister, Maria, and brother, Alexei, whose bodies are unaccounted for. Alexei's tomb is out of frame to the left.

Catherine Palace

St. Isaac's, the world's fourth largest church dome behind St. Paul's (London), St. Peter's (Rome), and Santa Maria del Fiore (Florence).

We spotted McDonald's!

Share a coke with Pasha! Log has been studying Russian and was able to read everything even if his vocabulary was limited.

The tomb of Catherine the Great

A ceiling from inside the former Winter Palace and now Hermitage.

Had Hitler been able to take the city during WWII, he would have held his celebratory entrance here at the Astoria hotel.

Littlest wanted to see Catherine the Great's peacock clock while in the Hermitage. See the clock in action by clicking the link.

The Russian Imperial Throne

Nicholas II opened the first State Duma here in 1906.

We thought this sign was particularly funny because the thief is stealing American dollars!

View of the backside of Nicholas I. His daughter, Maria, detested the view so much that she removed herself from the Mariinsky Palace whose facade is directly behind the statue.