St Petersburg, the second day.

Thursday 25^th September, our second day in St Petersburg.

St Petersburg was founded in 1703 by Peter 1^st  (Peter the Great) . It was built to be a gateway to western Europe and allow Russia to experience a new era of grandeur. It was built on the marshy delta at the mouth of the river Neva. Reclamation developed a series of harbour frontages and canals that are still in active use today. For this reason, it is often called the Venice of the North. Having a defined beginning, it has always been well laid out with large squares, grand avenues and majestic buildings.

It has suffered its fair share of historical and natural disasters including massive floods in 1724, 1824 and 1924. Even a blockade of 872 days by the German army in WW2 could not break the resolve of the inhabitants.

It was the capital of Russia under the Tsars up to the rising of the Soviets. Today it is a modern city, a centre of shipping and trade and a city with a wonderful historic heart.

We were met by Ksenia, our guide at the foyer of our hotel and taken on a walking tour of the Tsar’s Winter Palace. The building has developed over many years. Catherine the Great constructed a new building in1764 connected to Peter the Great’s Winter Palace to house her growing collection of artworks. This was known as The Small Hermitage. Then, as her collection grew, in 1771 she started the second building known as The Old Hermitage. This was followed in 1839 by The New Hermitage. The whole structure is now known as The Hermitage.

The palace was traditionally the home of the Tsars but has always housed a massive collection of internationally acclaimed works of art.

The building is extravagantly designed and decorated and is being restored to its former glory.

After taking lunch in the Palace (sandwiches and soft drinks bought at a kiosk) we had a cruise in a “barge” around the canals and the Neva River.

The Saints Peter and Paul cathedral with its 123 metre high tower sparkled in the afternoon sun. We would visit this church tomorrow and see it in more detail. Ksenia, our guide met us at the end of the cruise, walked us back to our hotel and arranged to meet us tomorrow.

There will be more to tell so we will keep in touch.