Peter and Paul Fortress

View across the River. Behind that building in the middle is the Church on Spilled Blood

The first permanent bridge in Saint Petersburg. They restore it in wood so that it looks as close to the original as possible.

Peter and Paul Fortress in on Hare Island. Many people make a wish and throw a coin to the hare. If it lands on it or next to it, your wish will come true.

Saint Petersburg was established in 1703, not 1740, but before 1740, they made this wall out of dirt and rocks. It wasn't until 1740 that brick was used.

Some of the original brick from 1740

The group with the hare (Sabrina, Michala, me, Frances)

Bird's eye view of the fortress

The group in front of the inner wall (Sabrina, Michala, me, Frances)

First glimpse of the cathedral

Our panoramic view of the river

This angel is actually a weather vane. And for a long time, it was a law in Saint Petersburg that no building could be taller than the angel at Peter Paul Fortress

The building in the middle of this picture is the Winter Palace and it is connected to the Hermitage

These are ALL palaces! Saint Petersburg has more than 500 Palaces. This is called the Palace Embankment

First steps into the cathedral, absolutely breathtaking!

The tomb of the Romanov family. All but two of the Romanov 's remains are buried here.

The Russian Otthodox Cross

When these are found on a tomb it means that they were either a Czar or Czarina 

These are the tombs of Nicholas II's mother and father. (Alexander III, and Maria Feodorovna)

Alexander III parents, Alexander II and Maria Alexandrovna. (Alexander II is the one who was assassinated and the Church of Spilled Blood was erected for.)

The front of the cathedral. Everything is made of wood and then gold leafed. It is absolutely breathtaking!

This is the scariest prison in all of Russia. It was a prison for Political prisoners