Embankment +

The Palace Embankment hugs the Neva River and showcases the symbols of Imperial, pre-revolutionary Russia.  It is an elegant area of the city, but contains few restaurants and shops.  Dominating this area is the Winter Palace which is housed in the Hermitage, Alexander Column, Palace Square and many cathedrals and statues.

Left to right:  Winter Palace of Peter I and the Hermitage Theatre, 

Large (old) Hermitage, New Hermitage (behind), 

Small Hermitage, and Winter Palace

From a vantage point across from the Neva River looking at the Hermitage.

The Winter Palace on the Neva River

The Hermitage on Palace Square

The Hermitage came under frequent attack during the WWII siege.  The Nazis had pledged to completely destroy Leningrad (as St. Petersburg was then known) and the Hermitage soon became a symbol of the city's resistance.  Although many museum workers died of starvation, and snow piled up inside its lavish halls, the Hermitage continued to support the city's cultural life.

The original stone decorations were replaced with lighter metal substitutes, 1892-1902.

Alexander Column

This column is the focal point of Palace Square and is the world's largest freestanding monument.  It was dedicated to Alexander I who ruled Russia, 1801-1825.  It was erected in 1834 as a monument to Russia's military victory in the war with Napoleon's France. It is made of red granite, is 155 feet tall, weighs 600 tons and features an angel holding a cross. 

Palace Square

This imposing square, designed by Carlo Rossi, is flanked by the Hermitage and the 19th-century General Staff Building.  Palace Square has witnessed many historical events over the years, such as the massacre of "Bloody Sunday".  Before the Revolution, the square was the setting for military parades, often led by the tsar on horseback.  It is still a favorite venue for political meetings and public events such as rock concerts. 

The General Staff Building on Palace Square

It is a neoclassical building, 580 meters long, opposite the Winter Palace.  When built, the west wing housed the Headquarters of the General Staff of the Russian Army.  The east wing was home to the Ministry of Finance and The Ministry of Foreign Affairs.  In 1933 the east wing was transferred to the State Hermitage Museum to house the 19th and 20th century collections.

This landmark building's two wings are connected by a magnificent double arch topped by Victory in her chariot (1829).

The exact title is 'Glory in Her Chariot of Victory' and is pulled by six horses with two warriors at the sides.

The double-arch, or triumphal arch, separates the two wings of the General Staff Building and leads to the street called Bolshaya Morskaya Ulitsa.  It also leads to Subway!

Interesting architecture and features along Nevskiy Prospect.

http://www.saint-petersburg.com/

visited:  Thursday, November 26, 2015