Chapter 22: St. Petersburg

We reached St. Petersburg before sunrise. In the city center, countless elaborate light decorations were still shining.

After a hearty breakfast, we visited the main attractions of the city on foot. The city center consists almost exclusively of historic, magnificent buildings.

The most famous landmark is the Church of the Savior on Spilled Blood, also known for its colorful onion domes.

The interior of the church is covered with mosaics.

In the nearby Kazan Cathedral, which is modeled after St. Peter's Basilica, we happened to witness an ordination ceremony.

The Hermitage was the former residence of the Russian tsars and now houses one of the largest and most significant art museums in the world.

In the evening, the impressive light installations illuminated the city once again.

Late in the night, the streets filled with people and the people with vodka.