This church, austere by comparison, was built for Catherine's grandson, Alexander.
The center front of Catherine Palace. It is so large it took three photos to capture the entire facade.
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| The floor and ceiling tour continues! Both here and at Peterhof we covered our shoes with booties to protect the magnificent floors. This picture is in the ballroom, the gold that you see reflected is indicative of the gilded brilliance displayed. |
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| ...and yet another remarkable ceiling... |
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| One of the numerous dining rooms, set for a grand meal. The handmade tile stoves were prevalent here. |
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| Our tour day concluded, as did the rain, outside in the garden area of Catherine Palace. Life is Good! Tomorrow: Helsinki, Finland Observations from my journal: 1. The Amber Room in Catherine Palace (photos were not allowed, my memory will need to suffice as my sole souvenir) was spectacular. The walls, literally COVERED with Amber; reflected the light as a warm glow the likes of which I have never seen, or experienced, before. Whoever thinks: "why don't we go ahead and cover the walls with actual Amber?" 2. A "pancake" feast for lunch, in a tent in the rain on the grounds at Peterhof: Ham and cheese crepes as our entree, strawberry crepes for dessert; an incredible, delicious memory. 3. Our spirits are waterproof; refusing to be dampened. |
10 comments:
Stunning!
Wow--it is all so amazing. I just have to ask myself, how did these people justify living like this at the expense of others?
This is what I expect to find in heaven, not on earth for mere mortals! It is breathtaking. I can't even imagine the Amber Room.
Just a small summer place in the country........
So--is there a quilt in your future based on one of these magnificent floors?
The churches and cathedrals pale in comparison to the size of the palace, my goodness! Good thing they had footmen and maids to fetch things they had forgotten in their rooms 1/4 mile away :) Stunning floors and all that glimmer reflected! Amber on the walls must have been amazing.
I googled images of the Amber Room. I'm sure it doesn't begin to compare with seeing it in person, but it looks astonishing!
So spectacular!!! What a trip this was! :-)
Just breaktaking and utterly amazing. I am absolutely inspired... so many graphic designs that will lend themselves to quilt patterns. I can not begin to imagine their lives, and I know there where human costs, but so many artisans were able to craft such magnificence. Thanks so much for your posts about places I doubt I will ever be able to see personally.
Wow!
I thought that some of the churches I saw in Israel and in Italy could not be surpassed in sheer ornateness (is that a word?). But the ones you've shown on this trip are literally breath taking. In my opinion they far surpass the Sistine Chapel, although I must say that it was so crowded that it was impossible to really take in the beauty. There don't seem to be the crowds where you are, and for actually seeing the majesty that is wonderful. Thank you for sharing these photos. blessings, marlene
astounding photos, incredible trip, priceless memories...
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