Springtime in Russia: My Remarkable Journey - Day 2: A Fleeting Encounter

The first morning in St. Petersburg was a bit strange. As we visited during the summer, the sky was already bright at 2:30 am, waking us up a little confused. Fortunately, we had napped during the long journey, so we didn't feel tired. We woke up around 4:00 am and talked, prepared breakfast, and planned our day's itinerary. However, we had to wait for our host to return our passports and visa registration documents before we could confidently explore the city. While the checks were random, we didn't want to risk encountering an official without proper documentation. Communication could be difficult in a foreign country, and we wanted to avoid any potential complications.

Due to our late arrival the previous night, we were unable to explore the surroundings of our accommodation. Upon venturing out the next morning, we discovered that our modernly renovated room was situated within an ancient building. The residential complex featured a central green space with a public park and playground, offering a tranquil and peaceful atmosphere. The convenient location provided easy access to the subway station and a 24-hour supermarket, ensuring a comfortable stay.

The antiquity of the structure is evident from the very first step on the stairs.

This is the entrance to our accommodation. Last night, I couldn't see anything.

The front of the building is adorned with beautiful flowers.

After waiting half a day for the host to return our passports and documents, we spent the afternoon relaxing and recovering from our hectic journey the day before. Our plans for the day were scaled back to a leisurely subway ride into the city center to soak up the atmosphere. We weren't aiming for anything specific, but if the opportunity arose to visit a particular attraction, we would. Our focus was on enjoying ourselves rather than ticking off sights. We had already pushed ourselves during the journey, so we were taking it easy from now on.

The nearby street outside the accommodation has a tram running through it.

We set off from the Novocherkasskaya metro station (Новочерка́сская) to Nevsky Prospekt (Не́вский проспе́кт), changing from the orange line to the green line at Ploshchad Alexandra Nevskogo station (Плóщадь Алексáндра Нéвского).

Stained glass windows inside the subway station

Stylish interior decoration of the station

To get to Gostiny Dvor station (гостиный двор), which is connected to Nevsky Prospekt station on the blue line we wanted to reach, we had to walk on our own. However, we ended up getting lost and emerged from the station onto the street. Fortunately, we were already on Nevsky Prospekt.

The walkway around Gostiny Dvor shopping mall

The first place we visited to admire its beauty was Kazan Cathedral (Каза́нский кафедра́льный собо́р), a Russian Orthodox cathedral built in the 18th century with a blend of Neoclassical and Romanesque architecture.

Rear View of Kazan Cathedral

The Kazan Cathedral boasts a semicircular design with 96 Roman columns arranged in orderly rows. Its massive dome, reaching a height of 90 meters, draws inspiration from St. Peter's Basilica in Rome. The cathedral commemorates Russia's victory in the war against France in 1812. The remains of General Mikhail Kutuzov, one of the most skilled military leaders during the Romanov dynasty and instrumental in the fight against the French, are interred within its walls.

Large Roman-style stone columns

The text describes a visit to a religious site in Russia. The author advises visitors to be respectful of the local customs, such as covering their heads and avoiding loud noises. The author also describes witnessing a religious ceremony, which they found to be very solemn and sacred. The author notes that there is no entrance fee for the site.

After a long while, we ventured outside to admire the magnificent grandeur of the exterior. We attempted to capture the full scale of the cathedral in our photographs, but we must admit that this proved to be a daunting task for ordinary travelers like ourselves, equipped with only a humble camera as our faithful companion. We were content with the few mementos we managed to capture.

The building you see is the former office building of the Singer Sewing Machine Company, which is now home to a popular coffee shop.

We then crossed Nevsky Prospekt to the iconic Church of the Savior on Spilled Blood (Церковь Спаса на Крови), also known as the Church of the Bloodshed. Unfortunately, despite the daylight, it was too late to enter as the opening hours are from 10:30 am to 6:00 pm. The entrance fee is 250 RUB. We decided to postpone our visit for another day.

On the way to the Church of the Savior on Spilled Blood, on the left side, is the Griboyedov Canal (кана́л Грибое́дова). Along the way, there are souvenir stalls selling a variety of items, including Matryoshka dolls (матрёшка), also known as Russian nesting dolls. These dolls are a symbol of fertility and longevity. The price of a Matryoshka doll depends on its size, the intricacy of its painting, and the number of dolls inside. The more dolls inside, the higher the price. Traditionally, Matryoshka dolls depicted women, but nowadays, there are also dolls with different shapes and faces, including animals, politicians, and cartoon characters. There are also various handicrafts, scarves, jewelry, Easter eggs, and, since this year Russia is hosting the 2018 FIFA World Cup, there are also many World Cup-related items available.

The Griboyedov Canal, with boat services departing for the Neva River and reaching the Peter and Paul Fortress.

The Church of the Savior on Spilled Blood, a stunning example of Russian Revival architecture, draws inspiration from St. Basil's Cathedral in Moscow. Constructed in 1883 by Tsar Alexander III, it commemorates his father, Alexander II, who was assassinated in 1881. The church stands on the site where Alexander II was fatally wounded by a bomb thrown by revolutionaries opposed to his emancipation of the serfs. The name "Church of the Savior on Spilled Blood" derives from the blood of the Tsar that stained the ground. Currently, one of the domes is undergoing repairs, but the church remains a magnificent landmark.

The side of the church is the entrance to the Mikhailovsky Garden, where many artists sell their paintings along the fence. In the open space near the church, many musicians play music and ask for money from passers-by.

We circled the church and returned to the other side of the canal, opposite Kazan Cathedral, to find a place to sit and soak up the beautiful atmosphere of this important street.

Translated: As far as I can tell, there is no store with a better atmosphere than Café Singer (кафе Зингеръ), as it offers a view of the Kazan Cathedral. This café is located on the second floor of a bookstore called House of Books (Дом книги), which was formerly the building of the Singer company. The building was constructed in the Art Nouveau architectural style.

Let's have an afternoon coffee break.

The table by the large window was always occupied. Every time we went there, all the tables were full. Some tables, even though they were empty, had a "Reserve" sign on them. The other tables in the middle of the restaurant were mostly empty. We chose to sit at a table that was a little further out, thinking that at least we would be able to soak up the atmosphere a little. This turned out to be a good choice.

The table may be empty, but it is not available for us.

The price of food, drinks, and desserts is relatively high, possibly due to the location and reputation of the restaurant. However, if you consider the delicious taste, high quality, and beautiful views, it is acceptable.

Everything is delicious.

We savored the delicious drinks, sweet treats, and visual delights in the tranquil atmosphere of the cafe until we felt it was time to move on. We continued our walk along Nevsky Prospect, crossing to the other side. Upon closer inspection, we noticed flags lining the street, suggesting a recent celebration. This was likely due to the recent National Day on June 12th. Russia's National Day commemorates the declaration of independence from the Soviet Union by President Boris Yeltsin in 1994.

We continued our walk through the bustling streets, observing the city's atmosphere and its people, until we reached St. Isaac's Cathedral (Исаа́киевский Собо́р).

The first striking feature of St. Isaac's Cathedral is the massive granite columns at the front, which signify the grandeur of this magnificent edifice. This alone serves as an immediate testament to its grandeur, living up to its renowned reputation.

Today, we are not prepared for the visit, which will be open to tourists between 10:30 AM and 6:00 PM. However, for this summer season, this time is also available for visits. The fee for the evening admission (18:00-22:30) for both inside the cathedral and the colonnaded walkway is 400 RUB each. It has doubled. So, we would like to change it to the regular time tomorrow. Let's just admire the beauty from the outside.

The front has an automatic ticket machine, but you need to buy with a credit card.

Crossing the street to the opposite side of the cathedral, you will find a public park. Walk past the park, where you will see an equestrian statue of Tsar Nicholas I.

Equestrian Statue of Tsar Nicholas I

Although the sky is not yet completely dark, a glance at the clock reveals that it is already past nine o'clock in the evening. It is strange that at this hour we are still out and about, wandering around. Perhaps because the sky is still light, the general atmosphere still feels safe and not frightening. So we walk comfortably, but we do not forget to be cautious, as is our habit when we are in a foreign city.

Today was a day of exploring the sights and colors of St. Petersburg, taking in the atmosphere of the city and its tourist areas. To end this relaxing day, let's head back and prepare dinner. Tomorrow, we can truly begin to get to know each other. The atmosphere here makes you want to slow down and savor the moment.

Follow their journey, enjoy their photos, and say hello to Piyai and Noolek at https://www.facebook.com/TravelWithPiyaiAndNoolek/