Oto in Motherland: a (huge) photo log

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Otohiko
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Post by Otohiko » Wed Dec 27, 2006 6:04 pm

Don't get too jelaous. As I said, when I lived in Russia I rarely left the city at all, and only been to Moscow once. The only other country I actually visited was Estonia, where I have relatives; and I took a stroll through a town in the Czech Republic once but that's about it. I've never even been to the US.

Travel often = money. I swore to myself that as soon as my expenses stop outweighing my income, I'll dash off to Europe.
The Birds are using humanity in order to throw something terrifying at this green pig. And then what happens to us all later, that’s simply not important to them…

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Otohiko
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Post by Otohiko » Wed Dec 27, 2006 6:08 pm

Heading on another excursion, this time to Peter and Paul’s Fortress, starting again on the bus.

Buildings on Gavanskaya Street (not far from that submarine’s location)
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Along Bolshoi Prospekt
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At the old Stock Market building, there’s a bronze relief at which people leave coins for some reason.
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My coin is strategic!

*to be continued*
The Birds are using humanity in order to throw something terrifying at this green pig. And then what happens to us all later, that’s simply not important to them…

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Otohiko
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Post by Otohiko » Wed Dec 27, 2006 6:09 pm

A big floating fountain on the Neva
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Understandably, it’s under repair. Will be back on in later pictures.

The grass again!
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No translation this time

Peter and Paul’s fortress from afar
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A flowerbed before the Stock Market building
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Thar, my strategic coin:
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*to be continued*
The Birds are using humanity in order to throw something terrifying at this green pig. And then what happens to us all later, that’s simply not important to them…

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Otohiko
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Post by Otohiko » Wed Dec 27, 2006 6:10 pm

The Stock Market building itself. It now houses the central Navy museum.
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That “ship” is semi-floating restaurant.
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Don’t be fooled. It might look okay from a distance, but it’s the ugliest fucking thing ever from up close :roll:

The Artillery Museum from the vicinity of the fortress
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In the walls of the old fortress
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The iconic spire of the fortress’ Peter and Paul cathedral
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*to be continued*
The Birds are using humanity in order to throw something terrifying at this green pig. And then what happens to us all later, that’s simply not important to them…

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Otohiko
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Post by Otohiko » Wed Dec 27, 2006 6:10 pm

The Boat House
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A little building used to store Peter the Great’s personal boat. The boat is now in the previously-mentioned Naval Museum, but its replica is in the boat house too. The building also serves as one of the ticket offices for the museums at the fortress.

The fortress was built in 1703 to defend the entrance into the Neva river from Swedish ships. Here Peter also decided to start building Russia’s new capital, and that’s how the city started. The fortress was never used for its intended military role, and instead housed the country’s central mint (where they make the coins) and prison.

It was a big bummer that one of the coolest attractions in it, the prison, was closed for restoration during my visit :(

I know the fortress rather well since my mother, a historian by education, worked here as a tour guide for a while.


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We stood in line to the ticket office, only to get this before our turn was up:
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We laughed unbelievably hard in front of a rather big crowd, much to their understanding :lol:


Peter and Paul’s Cathedral is, among other things, the resting place of Russia’s imperial family, all the Romanovs from Peter the Great on. Most are buried in graves like this:
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The decorations are gorgeous, but as seen here – the cathedral is under restoration work.
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*to be continued*
The Birds are using humanity in order to throw something terrifying at this green pig. And then what happens to us all later, that’s simply not important to them…

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Otohiko
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Post by Otohiko » Wed Dec 27, 2006 6:11 pm

Peter and Paul’s Cathedral, with lots of tourists
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The grave of Alexander III
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The grave of Alexander II, distinct due to the Tzar’s tragic assassination by revolutionaries and his role as a reformer who finally got rid of serfdom in Russia in the 1860s
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Ceiling ornaments
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The grave of Peter the Great, perhaps Russia’s greatest leader in history and founder of the city
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I believe those are some of the medals issued in his honour.

*to be continued*
The Birds are using humanity in order to throw something terrifying at this green pig. And then what happens to us all later, that’s simply not important to them…

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Otohiko
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Post by Otohiko » Wed Dec 27, 2006 6:11 pm

In the background – the graves of Catherine the Great and her loathed husband, Peter III (whose overthrow and assassination she arranged).
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Altar under restoration
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Far in the background – the grave of another assassinated Tzar, Paul I.
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Interesting Oto fact:
I have a direct genetic link with Paul I via my ancestors in the German nobility.

Peter and Paul’s cathedral, outside
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The Commandant’s House
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With the Commandant’s chicks :o

*to be continued*
The Birds are using humanity in order to throw something terrifying at this green pig. And then what happens to us all later, that’s simply not important to them…

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Otohiko
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Post by Otohiko » Wed Dec 27, 2006 6:12 pm

Inside the Commandant’s house, is a museum of St. Petersburg, starting with its prehistoric past.

For example this prehistoric stone donut:
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Ancient shield.
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A model of the Oreshek (“Tough Nut”) fortress near St. Petersburg on Lake Ladoga, now known as Schlisselburg
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*to be continued*
The Birds are using humanity in order to throw something terrifying at this green pig. And then what happens to us all later, that’s simply not important to them…

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Otohiko
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Post by Otohiko » Wed Dec 27, 2006 6:12 pm

Oreshek model, continued
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*to be continued*
The Birds are using humanity in order to throw something terrifying at this green pig. And then what happens to us all later, that’s simply not important to them…

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Otohiko
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Post by Otohiko » Wed Dec 27, 2006 6:13 pm

Hi, Tiny Peter
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Stone-age bowling ball:
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Bricks. Best exhibit evar.
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Hi, Huge Peter
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Model homes.
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No, they really are model homes. These were the designs for first St. Petersburg homes by the city’s first major architect, Italian Domenico Trezini. Unlike most cities, St. Petersburg was not built “organically” – it was designed from the beginning in an unlikely low-lying, poorly-defended location – but designed for greatness and such.

*to be continued*
The Birds are using humanity in order to throw something terrifying at this green pig. And then what happens to us all later, that’s simply not important to them…

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