Tag: Catherine’s Palace

Breaking A Rule in Russia~

On By cindy knokeIn EXTERIOR & INTERIOR DESIGN, MY PHOTOGRAPHS, TRAVEL REVIEWS128 Comments

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Check out these fascinating old fortifications in the Gulf of Finland, off the coast of St Petersburg.
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These abandoned fortresses provide eerie silent testimony to Russian history.

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They are quite beautiful,

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like man-made floating islands in the massive gulf.

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Catherine the Great’s Palace has some remarkable architecture. In Empress Elizabeth’s time these statues were gilded in gold.

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The over-the-top, huge, amber-room in the palace is entirely covered in amber, and taking pics is strictly verboten, probably to entice people to buy some picture books. I did my James Bond best and quickly and secretly, purloined this pic for your enjoyment! It was my Bond moment in Russia……

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The Chinese wall paper and Delft stoves in the palace were very beautiful.

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Catherine’s bath house and reflecting pool were lovely too.
If you are interested in Catherine the Great, you may want to check out: http://cindyknoke.com/2012/07/28/386/
We leave tomorrow for Switzerland, but until then, it’s still…..
Cheers to you from Russia!

From Russia with Love~

On By cindy knokeIn EXTERIOR & INTERIOR DESIGN, MY PHOTOGRAPHS, REVERIES, TRAVEL REVIEWS132 Comments

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It is a delicate time to visit Russia due to the crisis in the Ukraine. Wifi is difficult to access.
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Check out the interiors of the Hermitage in St Petersburg. It has 22 miles of interior corrirdors!
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The Russian Orthodox Church of the Spilled Blood is amazingly beautiful!
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The interiors are solid mosaic.
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A visual feast!
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The Peterhof Palace Gardens designed by Peter the Great, has a channel connecting the palace to the Gulf of Finland.
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The Gardens are lovely!
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We covered a lot of territory, and I will post some photos of typical Russian homes in the city and countryside when I return to better wifi. Until then, excuse my inability to follow your blogs. I miss them!
Cheers to you from Russia with Love~