Russia: Russia is the largest country in the world covering 1/8th of the Earth's inhabited area. Part of the country is in Europe and part is in Asia.

Russia Trip

St. Petersburg to Moscow July, 2013

ST. PETERSBURG (POPULATION 4,661,219)

Russia’s largest seaport and second largest city. It was founded in 1703, and has a rich and exciting history. It was founded by Czar Peter I at the mouth of Neva River and Gulf of Finland. He had a liking for the Dutch baroque style and in later years, the French and Italian influences prevailed. It has been described as a city of water bridges, rivers and canals. Palace square is impressive with the Alexander column in the middle and a memorial crowned by an angel crushing a snake …symbolizing Russia’s victory over Napoleon.

Areas where we spent time:

The Hermitage (former home of the czars), one of the most splendid museums in the world where Catherine the Great began her private art collection; Nevsky Prospect (famous avenue); Peter and Paul Fortress; Peterhof (a Versailles by the sea); Catherine Palace and park; Church of our Savior on Spilled Blood….magnificent with its spires; riding the canals…..and so much more.

Since we had the boat as our hotel, life was comfortable. We sailed from St. Pete, stopping at a few ports along the way…Svir Stroi, Kizhi Island, Petrozavodsk, Goritsy and Uglich, with Moscow as our final destination.

THE HERMITAGE

This amazing museum has more than 400 galleries. It’s known to house the most outstanding art collection from ancient years to present time. There are artworks by Da Vinci, Rembrandt, Raphael, Michelangelo, El Greco , Matisse and a famous collection of impressionists.

The exterior of the building was initiated by Empress Elizabeth in a Baroque design; However, Catherine the Great altered this with Neoclassical design. The Hermitage is at least 1000 ft. long and parallels the Neva River.

CATHERINE THE GREAT

Catherine was the most renowned and the longest-ruling female leader of Russia. She reformed the Administration of Russian govern- ment and many new cities and towns were founded by her. This period is considered the Golden Age.

Her palace is in a flamboyant Rococo style and became the summer palace of the Russian czars. She had a passion for antique and Neoclassical art, and also used some Greek revival structures throughout the palace.

PETER & PAUL FORTRESS

In 1703, when Peter the Great reclaimed the lands along the Neva River, he made a decision to build a fort to protect the projected capital city from attack by the Swedish army and navy. The fortress never really saw any action because the Russians defeated the Swedes before its completion.

The ornately decorated cathedral has been the burial place of all Russian emperors and empresses from Peter the Great to Alexander III.

TOMBS AT PETER & PAUL FORTRESS

All tombs are white marble, except Alexander II and his wife; he was assassinated; their tombs are jasper and marble (green and wine color). The 5 across tombs are those of Nicholas II’s children; the entire family was executed by the Red army.

PETERHOF

This is the magnificent summer residence of Peter the Great and Russian royalty. Peter wanted it to resemble Versailles in France. It is a grand palace atop the hill surrounded by a park with 150 fountains shooting more than 2000 jets of water, plus statues and sculptures gracing the gardens.

PETROZAVODSK (PETROSKOI)

We visited the port city of Petroskoi, the industrial, cultural and scientific center of the Republic of Karelia which is known for its canon factory and foundry. It is rather dismal looking and has a gloomy Soviet appearance…the old USSR life-style.

KARELIAN FOLK SHOW

National music and costumes of the Karelian Republic in North Russia which is known for pristine lakes, thick forests, and frigid climate

KIZHI ISLAND

Our ship docked here at one of the most ancient inhabited sites in Russia. An early pagan center, now it hosts an open- air architectural museum and reserve, offering more than 80 wooden monuments and churches, representing folk wooden architecture, ancient Russian pictorial art and cultural items.

GORITSY’S KIRILLO-BELOZERSKY MONASTERY

The biggest and most famous in Russia; Preserved since ancient times it has an austere beauty; it houses an impressive collection of Russian icons and rich medieval paintings. It was shut down during Soviet period and later became museum

SVIR STROI

We visited this port, a remote village on the Svir River, 280 mi south of St. Petersburg. A children’s orphanage is located here. The small shops are filled with home-made items and crafts

Moscow (population 10,382,754)

Russia’s largest city and capital is located in the center of European Russia and along both banks of the Moskva River. Moscow has been the heart of Russia and in 1812, it became the main target of Napoleon’s attack; most of it was destroyed by fire. The heart and soul of Moscow is the Kremlin, a citadel on the river bordered by Red Square and Alexander Gardens. It is maintained today as a historical reserve of Russian art and architecture. The Kremlin is also the center of the political and public life of the country. It is where the president lives. The name Red Square has nothing to do with communism; it gets its name from the red walls and red buildings surrounding it. It is most beaqutiful. Most of our time in Moscow was spent in Red Square and the Kremlin.

Areas where we spent time:

The state armory and museum; their incredible metro; churches; cemetery; Nat’l Russian show; Moscow circus.

This was an amazing and very educational trip. We learned a great deal about Russian history, and viewed two truly beautiful cities and areas. All the myths that we grew up with no longer appear to exist in this modern-day country.

ST. BASIL’S CATHEDRAL

Built in the mid-1500s by order of Ivan the Terrible to celebrate victory over the Tatars. It has 9 spires and each interior chapel is dedicated to the saint on whose day the men won battles.

NATIONAL RUSSIAN SHOW

A very professional dance ensemble who performed stylized folk dances of Russian, Ukranian, Cossack, and other nationalities that inhabit the Russian federation. It is a very colorful show with beautiful costumes and out- standing dancing and acrobatics.

MOSCOW CIRCUS

The circus, founded in the 1880s, which was already important became an even more prominent piece of culture during the Soviet period and a point of pride in Russia.

RED SQUARE

Located in the center of Moscow, this square dates back to the 15th Century when it was an open marketplace. It became the principle location for city ceremonies, festivals. parades, religious and special events. The square is bordered by the Kremlin wall, state history museum, Kazansky Cathedral, Gum Dept Store & St. Basil’s Cathedral.

GUM DEPARTMENT STORE (GOOM)

Originally built in 1892 with 200 market stalls it was renovated in 1950s; now is one of the largest and most upscale malls in the world with many expensive European shops

THE KREMLIN

This was the site of Ivan the Great’s fortification in the 16th century… and it has remained unchanged. The Kremlin wall is reinforced by 20 towers. Four of these towers are also gates. The word Kremlin means a fortress within a city. It was here that Ivan carried out his reign of terror; Napoleon watched Moscow burn; Lenin fashioned his dictatorship; and Stalin ordered mass genocides. Today the Russian President's office is located here.

The Kremlin Palace has been the stronghold of power from day one. Those who ran the country lived in their royal, princely chambers inside.

NEW MAIDEN CEMETERY (Novodevichy)

Important politicians, poets, actors, generals, ballerinas, and writers are buried here.

RUSSIA

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