in General

Novosibirsk II

We’re at St. Petersburg. After a nice night’s (or is it day?!?!) rest we prepared for a days walking. The bed and breakfast called “Agora” is on the sixth floor of a relatively non-descript building. You wouldn’t even know it was a B&B unless you went in. The owner is helping establish the Anglican church in St. Petersburg. We had nice rooms and had a delightful breakfast of porridge, toast, and french press coffee.

Media_httpdizzysoundn_sdpao

St. Petersburg has a number of rivers. Its a moderate climate due to its proximity to water. I never got my bearings but we stayed on the south part of this map. North of the big river are other cities.

Media_httpdizzysoundn_ruohe

Our guide, Tamara, said that this is a fence that men would come to visit. It was around the Summer Garden, which we didn’t get to go into, but was full of stautues. Tamara is a 73 yr old retired history teacher. We all had a hard time keeping up with her:), but she gave us lots of good and interesting information.

Media_httpdizzysoundn_dlagd
Media_httpdizzysoundn_egecz

Here is a view of Our Savior on the Spilled Blood with the edge of the 1917/18 revolution memorial. It is called Spilled blood because one of the Alexander (II?) died there. His son built the church in the russian style on the same location. St. Petersburg is bizzare because they emulated or imported italian, baroque, french and other styles. They emulated and weren’t afraid to put mixed styles on the same block. The Russian style really didn’t develop until the 18th century.

Media_httpdizzysoundn_trujs
Media_httpdizzysoundn_trcjq
Media_httpdizzysoundn_tgcpq
Media_httpdizzysoundn_vbgci

This is the famous St. Peter’s Lutheran that got turned into a swimming pool during Communism. The Germans have restored it somewhat.

Media_httpdizzysoundn_rddgx
Media_httpdizzysoundn_inlxd

Here is a picture of it originally.

Media_httpdizzysoundn_tbati

Now… to the Hermitage. The closest thing to the Hermitage is the Louvre. It was the Winter Palace commissioned by Peter but he didn’t get to use it. Later Catherine turned it into a private gallery and museum, adding many buildings.

Media_httpdizzysoundn_cgyvm
Media_httpdizzysoundn_xxhzf

They love their guilding. Gold everywhere and use of many mirrors.

Media_httpdizzysoundn_cudqc
Media_httpdizzysoundn_czaza

Our guide says this is a sacred room. It is the history of the generals. The green squares are for the ones who died in the battles before their pictures were painted.

Media_httpdizzysoundn_efpuc

Here is the main throne for the palace.

Media_httpdizzysoundn_mghdf

The main appeal of the Hermitage is the collection. We barely skimmed it (just like the Louvre.) Here’s a sampling of what we saw.

Media_httpdizzysoundn_ubfvu

Rembrandt

Media_httpdizzysoundn_igufb

Da Vinci.

Stairwells, hallways, and the name plate.

Media_httpdizzysoundn_xbexd
Media_httpdizzysoundn_hjcia
Media_httpdizzysoundn_xofun

Peter extending his hand over the territory.

Media_httpdizzysoundn_ffcbg
Media_httpdizzysoundn_pufig

This is St. isaac which seats 12,000. We didn’t go in.

Media_httpdizzysoundn_vobfw
Media_httpdizzysoundn_iksdz

After stopping back at the B&B, we had a brief panic that our flight would be in 1:30. It turned out to be in 2:30 and thank goodness for that. There was a major traffic jam. We drove around it by a couple methods but in the end it was the only way. Our driver was fantastic. We went off-road following delivery trucks also trying to make it to the airport. Quite a few people gave up on the traffic and just parked. After a fun security check, we made it to the gate five minutes after the flight was supposed to leave. Thankfully the flight boarded late and left late. It was a simple four hour flight in a little plane that seats 150 with a three hour time change.

Media_httpdizzysoundn_chbpc
Media_httpdizzysoundn_cnbxc
Media_httpdizzysoundn_vjtdq

Novosibirsk airport is very modern in comparison to St. Petersburg. We arrived at 3 a.m., picked up our luggage, and made the hour drive to the flat we’re staying here. (We’re staying in Prof. Ludwig’s flat who has been in Ft. Wayne this last semester.) It’s a comfy place in the “projects” where normal people live. We went to bed.

Media_httpdizzysoundn_vgxia

Leave a Reply for Tom Bartzsch Cancel Reply

Write a Comment

Comment

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

  1. Hey, I’m glad to hear y’all made it all right. Also glad to hear you get to enjoy good coffee!!Lord’s Blessings

  2. Thank you for the postings, and for giving us a way to confirm that my brother is still alive and survived the plane trips!May you all continue to have an exciting and enriching time over there.

  3. Wow, we thought you were taking the LONG train ride to Novosibirsk. The pictures remind me of my trip to Russia (USSR) in 1974. According to the internet, you are 11 hours ahead of us. So, do you start classes on Monday or Tuesday at the seminary? We have a looked at a satellite view of Novosibirsk. My birthday was quiet with lots of good food! Becky starts her new job today on her birthday. Uncle Tom is in Japan while you are in Russia, he asked how you are doing. Blessings on a once-in-a-lifetime adventure!