St. Petersburg and Petrozavodsk, two cities of Peter’s creation

2007. On our trip to Russia last time we found out that there are two cities of Peter the First’s creation: St. Petersburg and Petrozavodsk. Both towns are beautiful, both celebrate the czar Peter as a founder as one can see the two monuments dedicated to him. What is special about each of those cities? A new feature of the latest days is an open church service, even forty forty bells ringing at 6 o’clock evening sermon,as for example, took place in the Church of the Vladimir Icon  in St. Peter’s. People stood still, and we were caught by the moment at the Square of 5 corners near the last apartment of Dostoevsky. For half an hour all city was transformed in a wonder of Sounding Beauty. You can listen to it later.

The particular moment in the city of Petrozavodsk was Obshepit cafe which Janko appreciated very much: the food was substantial and hearty, the excellent service, the only drawback being the heat as there were no air conditioners, but this was of very minor irritant which we gave no thought to. We ate there every day.

In St. Petersburg we enjoyed time in Peter and Paul’s fortress where Gleb accompanied us having fun there. Look at the photo and you see for yourselves.

On the grounds of Peter and Paul’s Fortress there was a traveling museum of Horror Exhibits, this encluded torture, hauntings and other scary events, Gleb wanted to see it but even for him it was too graphic and frightening. Him and Granny left quickly, Janko decided not to go into the musem, instead he listened to the melody of the Fortress Church bells as well as purchasing some souvenir plates to bring home to Canada.

Russian orthodox bell ringing