PUSHKIN PALACE(CATHERINE'S PALACE) and more!!!

Catherine's Palace was built by her daughter, Elizabeth. Catherine entertained the most famous architects, painters, and craftsmen of the time here. It became the summer home of royalty. You can't get the whole palace in a picture; it is too massive. Each room is more beautiful than the next. Gold, marble, precious stones and paintings are everywhere. One whole room housed many of Rembrandt's paintings. The decorated floors and walls, the painted ceilings, the porcelain pieces--all were magnificent.
The people of St. Petersburg hid what they could from the Nazis. Sculptures were buried and paintings were rolled up. Most treasures have now been restored and are here for the world to see.























Saturday is a big wedding day as we saw brides all over the city and even a pink limo!









Next was the Smolney Cathedral and school built for Elizabeth who was going to be a nun but changed her mind. It was the first school for girls in Europe.




We then went to the most famous The Church of the Resurrection of Christ(the Savior on-the-Spilt-Blood). It was built to honor Alexander II who freed the peasants and died at this spot. Inside and out, it was UNBELIEVABLE!















On the way back to the boat we saw St. Isaac's Cathedral and more canals,
statues, a souvenir shop and even another bride.















The evening ended with a lively and colorful Cossack show!