Our last day in St Petersburg was still chilly, but bright and sunny. We took advantage of the excellent visibility by climbing to one of the higher points in the town.
Smolny Cathedral and the Smolny Institute
Smolny Cathedral
Smolny Cathedral
Smolny Cathedral and the adjoining Smolny Institute are a little way from the centre, overlooking the river.
For 100rubles each it’s allowed to climb a dusty staircase up the bell towers to an iron viewing platform. From there the view is as breath-taking as the 278 step climb.
Looking down from the bell tower
Looking down from the bell tower
Looking down from the bell tower toward the river
Inside the Peter and Paul Fortress
Peter and Paul Fortress
This is the first city fortress, literally the “Old town”, which also serves as a burial vault for the Romanov Royal family.
Gates of the fortress
Church inside the fortress
The fortress is also home to a number of bronze rabbits
Rabbit by the access bridge
Rabbit by the bench
Rabbit by the gift shop
Peter the Great’s Wooden Cabin
Cabin of Peter the Great
300 years ago this wooden hut was the first building erected in St.Petersburg, from which Peter the Great founder the whole city.
Dining Room
Peter the Great’s Canoe
Office
Looking back toward the fortress over the frozen river
