Church on the Spilled Blood 6/19/10

The actual title of this church is "The Church in the Name of the Resurrection of Christ on the Site of the Mortal Wounding of His Honoured Majesty Alexander II" but most often called "The Church on Spilled Blood". It stands on the exact spot where the emperor was killed on March 1, 1881. The church was built in 1883 and is decorated inside & out with mosaics which are very brightly colored. These photos really don't do it justice.

But this close-up of one of the cupolas gives you a better idea of how brightly it is colored.

There are no paintings inside, only the beautiful bright mosaics, bright enamels and coloured tiles.

It was hard to get a good picture of the entire building but this gives an idea of the size.

And across the street there was an area of quite a few little shops filled with things that the tourists of the world might want to take home! Please note on the top shelf the leaders of the world including our president! We found a nice small watercolor of the church to take home for our travel wall.

St Peter & Paul Cathedral, St Petersburg, 6/19/10

The Saints Peter and Paul Cathedral is the center of the Peter & Paul Fortress built about 1712. At the time it was built it was the tallest building in Russia.

The spire of the cathedral is a major point in the city skyline. We had a 30 minute stop here.

This is the tomb of Peter the Great. His bust and flowers are at the head & there are additional flowers around it. The cathedral is the imperial burial place with all of the Emperors & Grand Dukes.

The cathedral was very opulent & beautiful. But jam packed with tourist groups so we had to try to take our photos over the heads of the other tourists.

This is just one example of the gilted ornaments in the cathedral. Many angels which I loved. Wish I could share more photos!