Spotlight on St.Petersburg
St.Petersburg.The very name brings to mind some of Russia's greatest poets,writers and composers The very name brings to mind some of Russia's greatest poets, writers and composers :Pushkin,Dostoevsky,Tchaikovsky.The 19th century was a golden age for St. Petersburg's wealthy classes. It was a world of ballets and balls, of art and literature, of tea and caviar.
St. Petersburg, the mere mention of its name reminds one of the greatest Russian poets, writers and composers: Pushkin, Dostoyevsky, Tchaikovsky. The 19th century was a golden age for St. Petersburg's wealthy class. It was a world of ballets and balls, art and literature, tea and caviar.
The golden age ended with the advent of World War 1.Working people were growing more and more discontented.In 1917, Communism came, promising peace and prosperity. In 1917,Communism came,promising peace and prosperity.
The golden age ended with the advent of World War 1. The discontent of the working class grew.In 1917, Communism came, promising peace and prosperity.
Stronger and stronger discontented.
In 1917, Communism came, promising peace and prosperity.
St. Petersburg had become Petrograd in 1914.People wanted a Russian name for their city.Ten years later, the city's name changed again, this time to Leningrad. Ten years later,the city's name changed again,this time to Leningrad.Then in 1991,Leningraders voted to restore the city's original name.Some people opposed the name change altogether.Others thought it was just too soon. Some people opposed the name change altogether.Others thought it was just too soon.Old,run-down Soviet Leningrad,they said,was not the St.Petersburg of 19th-century literature.
St.Petersburg became Petrograd in 1914. People wanted to give the city a Russian name. Ten years later, the city's name was changed again, this time to Leningrad. Then in 1991, the residents of Leningrad voted to restore the city's original name. Some people were completely against the name change, others thought it was too fast. They say that the old Soviet Leningrad is no longer the St. Petersburg of the 19th century.
What, then, is St. Petersburg?In the confusing post-Communist world, no one really knows.The quiet, if Soviet-style, dignity is gone. The quiet, if Soviet-style, dignity is gone.The Communist sayings are down, and gaudy advertising up.Candy bars and cigarettes are sold from boxy, tasteless kiosks.And clothing?Well, anything goes. Everyone wants to be a little different.But many people do not know the true meaning of freedom.Personal crime has gone up,up,up in the past few years.
So what exactly is St. Petersburg? No one really knows the answer to that in the baffling circumstances that followed the end of the ****ing Proletariat's rule. That quiet but boring Soviet-style dignity is a thing of the past. The ****producer slogans were replaced with tacky advertisements. Those four-square, tasteless stalls sold candy and parsnips. And as for dress? Well, any style was available. Everyone wanted to be a little different. But many people still don't know what freedom really means. Personal crime has been rising steadily over the past few years.
Yet in spite of this, you can still find some of the city's grand past.Stand at the western tip of Vasilievsky Island. To the right is the elegant Winter Palace, former home of the czars.Its light blue sides and white classical columns make it perhaps St. Petersburg's most graceful building. Its light blue sides and white classical columns make it perhaps St. Petersburg's most graceful building.It houses one of the worlds most famous art museums: the Hermitage.Inside,20km of galleries house thousands of works of art.Look over your right shoulder. The massive golden dome of St. Isaac's Cathedral rises above the skyline.You'll see,too,why St. Petersburg is called a "floating city. "Standing there, nearly surrounded by water, you can see the beautifully crafted buildings of the worlds most famous art museums:the Hermitage. Standing there, nearly surrounded by water,you can see four of the city's 42islands.
But despite this, you can find some of the city's glorious past. Standing at the western end of the island of Vyslivarsky, on the right is the elegant Hermitage, the former residence of the tsars. Its light blue facade and white classical garden columns make it probably the most elegant building in St. Petersburg. It houses the most famous art museum in the world: the Hermitage. Inside, the 20-kilometer-long gallery houses thousands of works of art. Looking towards the back of your right shoulder, the huge gold dome of St. Isaac's Cathedral reaches into the sky. You'll also understand why St. Petersburg is also known as the 'floating city'. Standing there, almost completely surrounded by water, you can see four of the city's forty-two islands.
Cross the bridge and turn behind the Winter Palace.In the middle of the huge Palace Square stands the Alexander Column.It commemorates Russia's victory over Napoleon. It commemorates Russia's victory over Napoleon.The 650-ton granite column is not attached to the base in any way.Its own weight keeps it upright. Hoisted into place in 1832, it has stood there ever since.
Cross the bridge and turn to the back of the Hermitage, where the Alexander Column stands in the middle of the huge Hermitage Square. It commemorates the victory of Russia in the war with Napoleon. The base of this six hundred and fifty ton granite column is not fastened in any way and there is no support at the bottom. It has been standing there since it was erected in 1832.
Continue to Nevsky Prospekt,the heart of the old city.Let the crowds hurry by while you take your time.Admire the fine carving on bridges and columns,above doorways and windows. Admire the fine carving on bridges and columns,above doorways and windows.Cross over canals and pass by smaller palaces and other classical structures.Let your eyes drink in the light blues, greens, yellows and pinks. greens,yellows and pinks.
Continue to Navasky Street, the center of this old city. Let the crowds rush past you as you take a leisurely stroll. Admire the elaborate carvings on bridges and columns, doorways and above windows. Walk through the canals and past smaller palaces and other classical buildings. Let your eyes feast on the light baskets, lime greens, yellows and pinks.
Take time to wander among Kazan Cathedral's semi circle of enormous brown columns.Or, if you prefer Russian-style architecture, cross the Or, if you prefer Russian-style architecture, cross the street and follow the canal a short distance.The Church of the Resurrection occupies the site where Czar Alexander 11was assassinated in 1881.
Take time to wander among Kazan Cathedral's semi circle of enormous brown columns. Take some time to stroll around the semicircle of huge brown columns in the Kazan Cathedral. Or, if you prefer Russian-style architecture, cross the street and walk a short distance along the canal. The Church of the Resurrection is located on the exact spot where Tsar Alexander II was assassinated in 1881.
Travel outside the city to Petrodvorets Palace for a taste of old imperial grandeur.After a visit to France in the late 17th century, Peter the After a visit to France in the late 17th century, Peter the Great decided to build a palace for himself better than Versailles.His dream never came true in his lifetime.It took almost two centuries to complete the palace and park complex. It took almost two centuries to complete the palace and park complex.
Leave the city and head towards Peter's Town to get a taste of the grandeur of the old palace. After Peter the Great visited France at the end of the 17th century, he decided to build himself a palace better than Versailles. During his lifetime, this dream was never realized. The composite building of the palace and park took almost two centuries to complete.
Seldom does any city have the chance to reinvent itself.That chance has now come to St. Petersburg.A few people might hope to return to the glory of A few people might hope to return to the glory of the past,but most know that is impossible.They want to preserve the best of past eras and push ahead.You can bet the city won't be old St.Petersburg, but You can bet the city won't be old St.Petersburg, but something altogether different.
Few cities have the chance to reinvent themselves, and that chance has now come to St.Petersburg. Some may wish to return to the glory of the past, but most know that's not possible. They want to keep the best of the past and move forward. You can bet that the city will not be the old St. Petersburg, but a completely different one.