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After a hearty breakfast, we set out on the Nevski Prospektiv. Admiralty and naval school (with Alexander Park).

Built also by Peter the Great in 1704, the admiralty enlarges, strengthens over the years and becomes in 1823 thanks to the architect Zakharov what it is now. From the top of its golden 73m spire is the Korablik, the representation of Peter the Great's personal ship.

In front of the Admiralty is Alexander Park (in honor of Tsar Alexander II), which is home to several bronze statues, including that of the geographer Nikolai Mikhaylovich Przhevalsky (who gave his name to the famous Przhevalsky horse).

Continuing a little, here we are at the huge statue of the Bronze Horseman, in honor of Peter the Great. It is a commission from Catherine II of Russia to which the French sculptor Étienne Maurice Falconet worked for twelve years. The statue is erected on a monolith of granite barely worked, one of the largest stones ever moved by man. The stone is 14m long, 9m wide and 7m high, weighing more than 1'500 tonnes!

We will then go past the basilica saint-Isaac and cross the Place of the Hermitage.

To finally go up the Millionaires Street where are the new Hermitage (currently the House of the scientists) and the house of Balzac (with a chaaaat!), In direction (distant) of the Champs de Mars, where Lilacs bloom.

In the center of the field of Mars is also the Memorial to the fighters of the revolution, including the French of the various revolutions (but especially that of 1789)...

A little nod to a Prague-style tram... and a weird fairy...

Crossing the Mikhailovsky Garden, we arrive at the Cathedral of the Savior-on-the-Blood-Spilled and its typical market. We really find everything and nothing on this market, pink chapka, matryoshka of trump, poutine, macron, harry potter, etc ...

A small photo of safety rules on construction sites of Saint-Petersburg... And the lunch in a restaurant restaurant worker. It takes a solid meal to visit the Hermitage this afternoon.

Built from 1754 to 1762 by Peter the Great (again it!), The Winter Palace, or Hermitage, was thought to show that the Russian Empire was a major power and to dazzle.

250m long, 30m high, planned for 1500 pieces, 117 stairs, the palace in turquoise and white has many different styles in interior, but the Rococo premium as a general style.
The palace is filled with magnificent pieces, the malachite room, collectibles, sculptures, paintings, goldsmith's work. There are several pieces dedicated to the paintings (one for the Romanovs (Tsar) and their families, one for all the officers of the Russian Empire and his allies against the army of Napoleon (including 2 paintings in general). Kutuzov in the snow), a portrait of Catherine II dressed as a general on horseback, to establish his power after the death of her husband the tsar (because a woman to lead a country, surely not ...) and others, and those versed in the art will recognize certain known works.

Whoever says Tsar's main palace also sits enthroned, with the little throne for special appointments, and the great throne with a huge hall for everyone. Ballrooms to dream Disney princesses, and gilding everywhere and a work of goldsmith for floor marquetry! The private apartments are just as sumptuous (especially the library of Peter the Great, what a dream !).

There is also the famous gold peacock, which plays the hour every day, fully animated mechanically thanks to a winder.

We finished a little at a charge at a temporary exhibition on the French impressionists.

For the evening meal, we come across a restaurant dedicated to Yuri Gagarin, the decor is great! I also discover bear ravioli (with bear meat in it).

Then we take the subway to return quietly.

And our day ends, big visit today and a lot of walking. To bed !

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