St. Petersburg, Russia

On October 11, Wednesday, we went to Russia.  You can only visit there on a two day maximum visa.  

We took a tour of Catherine's Palace in Pushkin, Russia. 

 It was the summer residence of the Russian czars.  

 

Chapel

Grand Ballroom

 Amber Room

Tile from Delft, Netherlands

Catherine's Palace was ornate and beautiful.  It was really beyond belief.

Our tour guide

We went to eat at Kaope.

We had beet soup-Borscht.

 

Beef Stroganoff 

Russian Vodka

Then we went to The Hermitage Museum in St. Petersburg.  It was founded in 1764, and is the largest in the world.  It was the winter palace.

The small Italian skylight room 

The Pavilion Hall

Mosaic table

 The Return of the Prodigal Son by Rembrandt.  This was Phil's favorite.

 Raphael's Madonna and Child

Leonardo Da Vinci's Madonna Litta and Benoit Madonna

 Michelangelo's Crouching Boy

The Knight's Hall

 

Kolyvan Vase, the biggest single piece of jasper in the world.  It is over 19 tons.


 The Peacock Clock has a golden peacock, cockerel, and an owl.

It was a spectacular day in St. Petersburg!