|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
Church on Spilled Blood (Church of the Resurrection of Christ)
– Not far from the Nevsky Prospect is the Church on Spilled Blood.
You can't fail to notice the sea green, turquoise and white towers, twirled
like a triple-flavor soft ice cream cone. The church was built to commemorate
the assassination of Tsar Alexander II in 1881. Inside, the walls are
decorated with gilded mosaics depicting the life of Christ, the floor
is covered in marble. Don't miss the canopy over the cobblestones, marking
the spot where Alexander was mortally wounded. |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
Boat ride on the canals – Take a boat ride on
the canals, past building facades of yellow, peach, blue and cream, sunlight
glinting on gilded spires and domes as you pass by. You'll explore the Moyka,
Griboedova and Fontanka canals and river. In an open boat, some of the bridges
are so low, it seems you'll bump your head. |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
You can pick up boat tours at the Nevsky Prospect and Griboedova
Canal or Fontanka. Unless you want non-stop commentary in Russian while
cruising the canals, ask at your hotel for an English guide or arrange for
a water taxi (somewhat pricey, but you'll have peace and quiet). |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Russian Museum – This museum is worth
a visit, even in nice weather. The charm of this museum are vivid scenes
from Russian life – paintings of farmers harvesting wheat, ice skating
in winter, armies fighting in the snow, a 17th century merchant family,
a girl with a sickle in her hand, a boy thinking what to write (the painting
is called Composition). |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Wax Museum (Beloselsky-Belozersky Palace) – This exhibit of waxwork figures from Russian history is awesome.
Each section has 50 figures – the first from the 12th - 19th century,
the second group includes the last Tsar, Stalin and other Soviet leaders
to the present. Figures are dressed in authentic costumes and have very
life-like expressions. Request a tour guide in English – you'll get
a detailed explanation of each figure. The wax museum is a wonderful way
to bring Russian history to life and a good background for all the historical
sites in St. Petersburg. |
