This statue is over 3500 years old and a gift from Egypt.

Rostral Column meant to celebrate naval victories.

View of Peter and Paul Fortress

Peter and Paul Fortress

St. Petersburg was born here in 1703 when Peter the Great began building the fortress to secure territory he had won in a battle with Sweden.

The fortress includes a history museum, prison, and a gorgeous cathedral.

Sts. Peter and Paul Cathedral

Until modern times, this was the tallest building in the city.

Lavish interior of cathedral

 

The church is the final resting place of the Romanov czars who ruled Russia from 1613 through 1917.

These tombs include one for Peter the Great and Catherine II (The Great). They are buried 10 feet below floor level.

St. Catherine Chapel where Emperor Nicholas II and his family are buried.

Tomb of Alexander II

Triumphal Arch celebrating Russia's victories in wars during the 1820's and 30's.

Along the streets of St. Petersburg

Faberge Museum

The museum was opened in 2013. In addition to a collection of Faberge eggs, there are rooms full of beautiful artifacts.

Room holding a collection of 14 Faberge eggs. The eggs were commissioned by Czar Alexander III as a present for his wife.

Each egg holds a surprise inside.

We had lunch at an authentic Russian restaurant. The Borscht soup was delicious.

Mark enjoys a beer with lunch.

We stopped at a souvenir store with hand painted nesting dolls (matryoshka) and other gifts.

Catherine Palace

This was the summer palace built by Peter I for his wife Catherine starting in 1717.

In the following decades, the palace was rebuilt and expanded many times, most notably by their daughter Elizabeth.

Heavily damaged during the war, it has been beautifully restored and is now a museum.

Ceramic Heater

The grounds were equally beautiful

We strolled back to our van through Catherine Park - 100 hectares which surround the palace.

Back on the ship after a long, tiring, but very interesting day.