St. Petersburg – First Day

Briefly, getting to St. Petersburg from Kiev was a challenge.  Our ticketed flight left 2 hours before we got to the airport.  They didn’t bother to let us know!  So….a lot of phone calls later, (glad Greg knows a fair amount of Russian, has Ukrainian friends and a local cell phone) and a very helpful Aeroflot agent, we got booked on the last flight to Moscow, then the last flight to St. Petersburg.  Not a direct flight to St. Petersburg, but nonetheless a flight to St. Petersburg.  We pulled in at 2AM.

St. Petersburg was the capital of Russia during the Czarist period until the Revolution of 1917.  They really enjoyed themselves during this time in history!  Although neglected during the Revolution, abused during Socialism, partially destroyed during the 900 day German Siege of WWII and only used functionally during Communism, the heart of St. Petersburg has emerged as one of the most beautiful cities in the world.

Also, fortunately, our apartment reserved for us was within walking distance of everything we needed/wanted to see!  First on our list is the Church of the Resurrection of Christ, also known as Church of the Savior on Spilled Blood

 

This was built to commemorate the death of a saint, hence the “spilled blood”.  It was financed by commoners and the inside is decorated exclusively with mosaics.  Phenomenal.

Next, the Kazan Cathedral, inspired by St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome. Another stunner on the inside.  Note: During Soviet times they renamed this The Museum of the History of Religion and Atheism.  Right.

Our host today is Svyetya, one of the leaders for Young Life in St. Petersburg.  Excellent English doesn’t surprise us, she has a degree in Linguistics and has lived off and on in the US.  Great gal, lots of fun to be with.