Helsinki Finland

Helsinki Cathedral

Helsinki Cathedral is the Finnish Evangelical Lutheran cathedral of the Diocese of Helsinki, located in the neighborhood of Kruununhaka in the centre of Helsinki, Finland. The church was originally built from 1830-1852 as a tribute to the Grand Duke of Finland, Tsar Nicholas I of Russia. It was also known as St Nicholas' Church until the independence of Finland in 1917. It is a major landmark of the city. 

Clouds make great photosl 

Photos taken with my big camera. 

and my phone.

St. Petersurg, Russia

A few more random pics from around St. Petersburg. 

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St. Isaac's Cathedral

 Just when you think you are done we visit one last church. St. Isaac's Cathedral which has a gold dome that is said to be the largest dome in the world. When it is raining and not sunny you won't get those glowing gold dome photos. But when you go inside your mouth will drop open at all the impressive ceillings, mosiacs and murals. By the time we leave it is raining pretty hard and the clouds are a dark grey.

St. Isaac's Cathedral

St. Isaac's Cathedral was originally the city's main church and the largest cathedral in Russia. It was built between 1818 and 1858, by the French-born architect Auguste Montferrand, to be one of the most impressive landmarks of the Russian Imperial capital. One hundred and eighty years later the gilded dome of St. Isaac's still dominates the skyline of St. Petersburg. Although the cathedral is considerably smaller than the newly rebuilt Church of Christ the Savior in Moscow, it boasts much more impressive fades and interiors.

We now head over to their office which is set up in a gift shop. They share services so you go to the 2 little desks in the back to pay and when you are done and waiting you can buy souvenirs and drink free vodka samples.

Back to the ship and say goodbye to our wonderful driver Anthony (who got us a up front parking space every time ) and Victoria (who knew everything about every piece of history and palace and got us to move quickly to the next place to squeeze it all in. It was a busy 2 days but the most incredible, surprisingly unexpected wonderful port with beautiful architecture, clean streets and friendly people. Everyone's takeaway was the same and I would love to go back another time.

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St. Petersburg, Russia Day 2

Moving on to Yusupov Palace there is a charge of €3.00 for taking pictures. Me and my husband are the only takers on this one, but this could be my once in a lifetime chance of being there and I don't want to miss anything. This is where Rasputin is murdered after 3 tries. So they have used these wax looking figures for the re-enactment. But beyond that the most impressive part for me was the secret theatre room he created for his daughter who played music and this was a place for her to preform. It was just like what you see in the movies. I think it would of killed me if I was going through that and couldn't take pictures. Sure I didn't take pictures in every room, only things that I think are worth it but the pictures that you take are worth €3.00.

Wax figures reenactment the night they were to assassinate him.

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The balcony

The stairs he was shot on, however they have been refinished.

For more history of Yusupov Palace

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