Moving along, I mentioned we passed by the Saints Peter and Paul Fortress while at Saint Petersburg. I failed to mention that it was inside this fortress where we saw the tombs of Romanov tsars.
The Peter and Paul Cathedral inside the Peter and Paul Fortress.
(Peter the Great’s tomb is on the right)
I believe that beautiful lady in the photo is Nicholas II’s mother, who is also now buried here (she escaped the Bolsheviks and lived in Paris until her death).
Here are all the imperial tombs, one of them is made of rhodonite, a beautiful pink stone with black specks (Alexander II’s wife’s tomb), while the other is made of green jasper (Alexander II’s tomb)
And of course, the last imperial family of Russia, Nicholas II, wife Alexandra, and the children in Saint Catherine’s Chapel inside the Peter & Paul Cathedral
Their story is world famous. They were captured and were subsequently killed by the Bolsheviks (the short story).
While at Saint Petersburg, we also went to The Church of the Saviour on Spilled Blood (again, another very important place not to be missed while in Saint Petersburg).
Tsar Alexander II was assassinated in this site, and this cathedral was erected (by his son) as a memorial.
Inside, you will see the actual site of the assassination, which is now surrounded by those rhodonite walls.
Yes, those short rhodonite borders cover the actual cobble- stoned floor where Alexander II’s blood was actually spilled.
This cathedral is very well- known the world over. It is probably the most ornate cathedral I’ve ever been to. It has over 7,500 square meters of mosaics!!! This is what I’m talking about:
Everything mosaic! It was really a sight to see. Even the exterior of the cathedral was already a visual marvel.
Tomorrow is the last post on Russia (my last post will be about Ekaterinburg Palace, Saint Petersburg). Perfect timing! Catherine Palace, the summer palace of the Russian tsars, was most associated with Catherine the Great, whose emerald and diamond brooch goes under the gavel two days from now in New York at Christie Auction House! 🙂
Stay tuned for the last Russian post tomorrow!! (Peeps, I tried as accurately as I can to relay what information I can remember based on our lovely guide Tanya’s explanations of these places, so if there are any mistakes or inaccuracies, please don’t hesitate to correct me!!)
x
Mrs. T
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