Saint Petersburg Things to Do Tips by starship

Saint Petersburg Cathedrals and Churches

Church on the Spilled Blood

Locally known as the "Church of the Savior on the Spilled Blood", the Church of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ marks the spot where Tzar Alexander II was murdered by a member of a terrorist group called the "People's Will" on March 1, 1881. His son & heir, Alexander III was determined to erect a church on this site in memory of his father and furthermore to have it built in the "traditional Russian" style to counter what he saw as the "contaminating Western influence of Petersburg." Construction began in 1883. Inspired by St. Basil's in Moscow the church is quintessentially Russian and the church is lavishly decorated inside and out with mosaics.

After the Revolution of 1917, the church was seriously abused and deprived of much need maintenance. Thankfully, the church was made a branch of St. Isaac's Cathedral around 1970 and it was through funding from St. Isaac's that the "Church on the Spilt Blood" was able to be so beautifully restored for all the world to appreciate. The restoration took 25 years and cost 4.6 million rubles, not an insignificant sum considering the relatively unstable Russian economy. Thus, an architectural & cultural masterpiece was saved and reopened in August, 1997.

We were not allowed inside the church, (probably because of time constraints) but apparently one of the most impressive works inside is the shrine built on the spot where Alexander II was mortally wounded! As you can see from the accompanying photo, it is quite a busy place and one of the main attractions in St. Petersburg. If you have time, look for the flea market located behind the church for souvenirs. We missed that!

A postcard of the "Church on the Spilt Blood" was sent to me by Natalya2006 who lives in St. Petersburg and who gave me my first look at this magnificent church. It was wonderful to see it in person.

Admission to the church is quite expensive because restoration is expensive and still on-going. Additional fees apply for use of cameras & videos.

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Address: Naberezhnaya Kanala Griboyedova 2, St. Petersbu
Directions: Use Metro stop Nevsky Prospekt/Gostiny Dvor

Hermitage: The Hermitage ~ Winter Palace

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on Jan 21, 2008

The Hermitage

The Hermitage Museum is one of the most prestigious art museums in the world. It occupies the Winter Palace & 4 more buildings. So grand and stately is the edifice of the Winter Palace that it can only be seen in its entirety from the opposite banks of the Neva River or the Spit of Vasilyevsky Island. The fourth palace of this name, the eminent architect Rastrelli designed the main building in the Baroque style, the last of its kind. The Winter Palace was built for Elizabeth Petrovna, a daughter of Peter the Great; however she died before its completion. It subsequently became the seat of the Imperial Dynasty and a focal point of St. Petersburg. In 1922, the Winter Palace was handed over to The Hermitage Museum.
The original green and white, gold trimmed Winter Palace houses priceless works of art thought to number 2.7 million individual items!! So large and impressive is the collection of the Hermitage, it is said that if a visitor stood before each work of art for one minute, it would take the visitor 7 years or more to see the collection in its entirety!!! Even though we spent only a few hours visiting here, we were able to see some wonderful works of art.

The Hermitage takes its name from 'hermitage' or the several rooms that Catherine the Great set aside in the palace as a place of retreat. That it became became known as a museum in its own right took place about the year 1764.

There is a charge of US $4 (2005 price) for using a camera, and you must display the appropriate sticker. To use a video cam is at least twice that rate. No flash photography of paintings allowed. I believe the rule also held for non-flash cameras & video cams. Here as in the Yusupov Palace, women attendants in each room watch for rule-breakers and will confront you.

Do not wear anything heavier than a long sleeved shirt inside during the summer as it can become rather stiffeling in The Hermitage. Bathrooms are few & far between but there are several gift shops!

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Phone: Ph: 571-8446
Address: 34, Dvortsovaya Embankment, St. Petersburg
Directions: On the banks of the Neva River, across from the Spit of Vasilyevsky Island and next to the Hermitage. Adjoins Palace Square where you will find Alexander's Column.

Palaces: Yusupov Palace on the Moika River

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on Jun 14, 2007

Felix Yusupov & Grigory Rasputin

The Yusupov Palace, once owned by the very wealthy & powerful Yusupov family, is probably most well known as the setting of the death of the mysterious Grigory Rasputin on the night of December 17, 1916. The peasant-monk Rasputin reportedly had a trance-like attraction & healing powers. He was able to stop the suffering of Tzar Nicholas' hemophiliac son. The alleviation of the boy's anquish, a miracle in particular to Tzarina Alexandra, earned him the dubious indebtedness & undue influence on the royal family of Tzar Nicholas II. The tzar's loyalists, including Prince Yusupov, felt that Rasputin was therefore a threat to the state. A plot was fomented in the yusupov Palace to poison Rasputin at dinner but it did not succeed and he was subsequently shot, then drowned in the Moika River just outside the palace.

The palace has an exellent wax exhibit portraying a scene in the private apartments where Felix Yusupov (the Younger) and Rasputin are having dinner

Notice that the palace, as is the Hermitage, is attended by women, one stationed in each room of the palace, who watch for tourists who become too inquisitive with the palace or its possessions!! They also wield power to move tourist groups into and out of rooms as they see fit, which greatly diminished the necessary time to enjoy each room. Their authority seems unquestionable & is not challenged by tour guides or guests. An incident in the Moorish Drawing room proved this when a tourist in our group apparently touched something. The attendant virtually flew to the man and screamed "Don't touch!!" I suppose she thought the man was an American, but actually he was Dutch! I understand that this type of incident could actually be blamed on the tour guide who is held responsible for the actions of the tourists in her group!

If you wish to use videos or camera, you must pay a special fee of $6 for camera and $12 for Videos (2005); everything including paintings can be photographed in the Yusupov!! THE PALACE IS OPEN BY SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT.

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Phone: 314-9883
Address: 190000, Naberezhnaya Reki, 94 Moika
Directions: Not far from the Mariinski Theatre and Palace. The palace faces the Moika River.

Palaces: Yusupov Palace ~ Another Look - Part 1

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on Jan 28, 2007

The Henri II Drawing Room

by starship , 3 more photos

We arrived at the Yusupov Palace by boat after a scenic cruise beginning in one of the canals and ending on the Moika almost directly in front of the palace!

The somewhat austere exterior of the Yusupov Palace belies the richly decorated and furnished interior of this palace. Today the golden colored, colonnaded facade of the Yusupov still sits on the banks of the Moika River after almost two and a half centuries, and by all appearances it remains in excellent condition.

This property (originally a wooden building) was once owned by a niece of Peter the Great who then sold the property to the rich and powerful Nikolai Borisovich Yusupov. It is said that the Yusupovs' were a supremely wealthy family, perhaps more so than the Tzar. This palace is excellent evidence of that rumor and to imagine that this palace is but one of the Yusupov palaces. In fact, Prince Yusupov amassed one of Russia's largest, private collections of paintings, sculptures, and rare artwork.

I was amazed at sublime beauty of the palace, the ornate architectural details, some of which you can see in the accompanying photo. It was all quite fantastic, if not a little overwhelming. I believe we saw virtually everyroom in the palace!

I am not sure what the entry fee is to the palace as it was included in our excursion. Remember there is an additional fee if you wish to use your camera, or video-cam.

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Phone: 812-314-9883
Address: 94, Moika River embankment, St. Petersburg
Directions: On the banks of the Moika River
Other Contact: FAX: 812-314-3239

Palaces: Yusupov Palace ~ Another Look ~ Part 2

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on Jun 14, 2007

Yusupov Palace Theatre

Though each room, each staircase, each ceiling seemed grander than the next, the area which really impressed me the most was the theatre. Not even in the mansions of Newport, Rhode Island, do I remember such a theater.

Originally designed by architect Andrei Mikhailov in the 1840's, the theatre has been reconstructed twice, the last time being in 1980 by Alexander Stepanov. As the brochure states, "Its appearance is a compact imitation of a big European Theatre." However, I have never seen any so grand! Among those to have given concerts here were Franz Liszt and Frederic Chopin.

Seating boxes and balconies are embellished with gilt on ornamental carving, yards of velvet drapery frame the stage and rear balcony, and the ceiling features a magnificent painting, "Morning Banishing Night" by artiist: Liphart.

The theatre hosts concerts of classical music, chamber operatic works, and evening of vocal music. In fact, one excursion offered was a formal attire, evening gala with concert and folkoric dances for those willing to part with a not insignificant ticket price! This astonishing theatre is but one work of art and one room of this breathtaking palace.

Our ship offered a FORMAL evening excursion to the Yusupov Palace for a concert and performance by local artists probably assembled for ship passengers only, but it was quite expensive. When we, hopefully, return to St. Petersburg by ship, I would like to attend this performance and I am sure it will be a night to remember.

There is a small but well-stocked gift shop in the palace which sells many nice souvenirs and of course, I could not pass this up. One of the items I purchased would a full color brochure detailing the history and treasures of the Yusupov Palace.

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Phone: 314-4053
Address: 94, Moika, St. Petersburg

Theaters and Concert Halls: Mariinsky Theatre

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on Jan 28, 2007

Saint Petersburg Theaters and Concert Halls

The beautiful Mariinsky Theater

The beautiful green & white Mariinsky Theatre of Opera and Ballet is the present day home of an opera company, an orchestra, and of course, a very famous ballet company. Also once known as the Kirov during the Soviet era, for anyone who has studied or loves ballet, this building might be likened to a shrine!! The Mariinsky has played a significant role in the history of Russian ballet. Upon its stage, ballet "supernovas" such as Anna Pavlova, Nijinsky, Rudolph Nureyev, Galina Ulanova, and Michail Baryshnikov have danced!! It has also featured the works of Jerome Robbins and Balanchine. The great Marius Petipa was the Ballet Master at the Mariinsky in 1869. This may be meaningless I absolutely love ballet and studied it myself for quite a few years!

But as the Mariinsky is the home of the opera company as well, a fortunate few will be able to see & hear the opera, "Queen of Spades" a work by Alexander Galibin, this coming September, 2005. Check the website for the current performance schedule of this opera and other performances. The "Backstage Restaurant" is just steps from the Opera House.

A Brief History The Mariisnky Theatre today is an architecturally ornate and imposing building, but its origins were much more humble. Now situated on what is known as Theatre Square, carnivals and amateur performances took place in a wooden building on the site in 1765. Later a stone building was erected known as the Bolshoi, but it was subject to repeated fires. The current building was completed in 1859 by architect, Albert Calvos, and it was named the Mariinsky Theatre in honor of Empress Maria Fiodorovna, wife of Tzar Alexander II. The theatre was heavily damaged during the 900 days Seige of Leningrad, but restored in 1944.

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Phone: Tickets - 7-812-326-4141
Address: 1, Teatralnaya (Theatre) Square, St. Petersburg
Directions: Also quite close to the Yusupov Palace (slightly to the north) and St. Nicholas Cathedral (slightly to the south).
Website: tickets@mariinsky.ru
Other Contact: fax: 7-812-314-1744

Other Attractions: THE AURORA ~ SIGNALED THE START OF THE REVOLUTION

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on Jan 28, 2007

The Cruiser Aurora

Permanently docked near the Nakhimov Naval School on the Petrovskaya Embankment of the Neva River, the Aurora is famous for being the ship from which a blank shot was fired signaling for the Bolshevik attack on the Winter Palace to start which began the Russian Revolution of 1917. The Aurora appeared by all accounts to be in excellent condition considering she was built between 1897 - 1903 at the Admiralty wharf right in St. Petersburg. Unfortunately for me, the sun was not shining brightly when the accompanying photo was shot which makes her appear more drab than she really is. Now part of the Naval Museum, the Aurora is an armor-plated cruiser which saw action in the Battle of Tushima against the Japanese fleet.

She's a proud-looking ship and I think a significant piece of Russian history has been lovingly preserved in her.

As you can see in the picture, the Aurora now hosts guests on a paying basis. There was quite a large tourist group on her bow when we arrived, and our group did not have enough time to tour her.

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Phone: 230-8440
Directions: On the riverbank at the end of Petrovskaya, not far from the "Cabin of Peter the Great."

Admiralty: THE ADMIRALTY

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on Jan 28, 2007

Only one part of the Admiralty now

a naval college

The accompanying picture is only one part of the historic & beautiful Admiralty. (Thank you Natalya2006 for giving me accurate information about this building!!) The Admiralty is one of the oldest buildings in St. Petersburg, and the original Admiralty was built for Peter the Great. It was first built as a fortified shipyard in 1704 and was surrounded by a moat, four bastions at its corners, and a tower and later a spire were added to the center of the front facade. The Admiralty was fortified because it was meant to be an extra defense for the newly won Neva river delta.

The building we see today is an example of the Russian Empire style, and the gilded spire topped with a weathervane "korablik" (little ship) is a famous landmark. The tiered tower is adorned with statues, and friezes portraying Neptune, the Roman god of the sea, handing Peter the Great a trident. Sadly many sculptures were destroyed in 1860 when clergy "allegedly insisted upon all so call PAGAN statues removed." This was carried out with the approval of Tsar Alexander II and 22 ornate figures were removed and crushed and used as rubble under new buildings or so the story goes.

The spire can be seen from 3 streets, the Nevsky, Gorokhovaia and Voznesensky Prospect which radiate out from a point in front of the Admiralty like 3 tines from a trident to carry out the naval theme on ground level. It seemed that we drove by at least some portion of the yellow-hued admiralty 3 or 4 times in our tour of St. Petersburg and it is quite a striking building. The Admiralty used to be headquarter of the Russian Navy until 1917, but today it serves as a naval college. Our guide told us that many of the men of the ill-fated Russian submarine Kursk had been educated here.

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Things To Do: A FORMER KGB BUILDING

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on Jun 14, 2007

Former KGB building on the Neva

I think we were somewhere on the other side of the Neva River when we saw this building and our tour guide told us it was a former KGB building. When you enlarge the photo you can see 3 huge antennas on this somewhat blocky, non-descript building. She told us that it formerly housed the KGB, and as the rumor goes, everything that happened in Moscow could be seen from this building! In other words, Big Brother was always watching!

The KGB has now been renamed something with a less threatening connotation, and (supposedly) moved into new quarters which happen to be an older, apparently smaller, but architecturally more significant building. I'm not really sure if the move was for lack of funds, or some other reason or to give the impression of a dimished presence.

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Cathedrals and Churches: Resurrection Cathedral at Smolney Convent

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on Sep 7, 2005

Smolney Convent