Peter and Paul Fortress

Here's looking up at the spiren of the church -- have I mentioned the lovely skies in Saint Petersburg. That isn't edited in -- it's really that gorgeous. Puts a whole new spin on Soloviev's azure empress.


I forgot of whom this is a statue, but you're supposed to rub his thumb and make a wish.


The side of the church.


Another side of the church.


We climbed as far up the belltower as they would let us. Good view of the city from up top.


It's a me at the top.


Here's the ceiling inside fo the church. The columns aren't actually marble, but it's a pretty good paint job.


This iconostasis disturbs me. All of the icons are painted in a very Western European, Italian Renaissance style. And it just feels entirely wrong to me. Icons aren't supposed to be that corporeal. (Click on the photo to enlarge it, you'll be able to see the paintings better.)


You can tell it's just paint here.


It's a big church.


And, look! Dead Romanovs! You knew I would get a photo. Incidentally, the bodies of the family servants who were killed are also entombed here. And, for reasons unknown, but presumed to be good, the king and queen of Thailand are hanging out.