Des Français à Saint-Pétersbourg
by Klod5
Depuis Pierre le Grand et la fondation de Saint-Pétersbourg sur les bords de la Néva et ce jusqu’à la Révolution d’Octobre 1917 des architectes, peintres, savants, bâtisseurs, ingénieurs, industriels et banquiers français prirent une part active à la création de la Capitale du Nord, aidèrent à son développement et à son épanouissement.
L’auteur du premier bâtiment de la ville - une forteresse en bois en terre battue - fut l’officier du génie Joseph-Gaspard LAMBERT DE GUERIN, général de France en service en Russie.
L’architecte Jean-Baptiste LEBLOND fut invité de France pour créer un jardin "à l’image de celui de Versailles", jardin que Pierre le Grand qualifia "de vraie curiosité". LEBLOND amena avec lui en 1716 toute une équipe de ciseleurs, de dessinateurs, de fondeurs, de tailleurs de pierre, de bijoutiers et autres maîtres artisans français. Les nouveaux venus devaient non seulement travailler à Saint-Pétersbourg mais aussi former des Russes "sans rien cacher ou taire". Sur l’île Vassilievski, à côté du Palais Menchikov, se forma tout un faubourg français. Pierre lui-même, connaissant bien les arts et métiers, y venait de temps en temps et "daignait s’intéresser aux travaux".
Of the French in St.-Petersburg
Since Peter the Big and the foundation of St.-Petersburg on the sides of the Neva and this until the Revolution of October 1917 of the architects, painters, scientists, builders, engineers, industrial and French bankers took an active part to the creation of the Capital of the North, helped towards its development and its blossoming.
The author of the first building of the city - a fortress in wood in clay - was the genius's officer Joseph-Gaspard LAMBERT OF GUERIN, general of France in service in Russia.
Architect John the Baptist LEBLOND was invited of France to create a garden "to the picture of the one of Versailles", garden that Peter the Big qualified "true curiosity". LEBLOND brought with him in 1716 all a team of carvers, of drawers, of smelters, of stone tailors, of jewelers and other masters French craftsmen. The newcomers had to not only work in St.-Petersburg but also to form some Russians " without hiding anything or to say nothing about ". On the Vassilievski island, next to the Palace Menchikov, formed itself a whole French suburb. Peter himself, knowing the arts and professions well, came there from time to time and "condescended to be interested in works".
US Consulate in St. Petersburg
by sennaya
The US consulate can help American citizens with passports, reporting crime, registering weddings, visas for Russian citizens, register your trip overseas (online) and any other security needs. If you are not American, check out your consulate site before visiting.
How to contact the US consulate in St. Petersburg:
7-812-331-2600 - Telephone
7-812-331-2646 - Fax
acsstpete@state.gov
7-812-331-2600 - Emergency telephone (24 hours)
15 Furshtatskaya Ul.
191028 St. Petersburg, Russia
Working hours
American Citizen Services Section is open to the public: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday, 2-5 p.m.,
Wednesday, 10 a.m. - 1 p.m., except on Russian and American holidays.
Telephone inquiries:
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, 10.a.m. - 1 p.m., Wednesday, 3 - 5 p.m. In the event of an emergency, American citizens may reach the Consulate duty officer after 5:30 p.m. and on weekends by calling: 7-812-331-2600.
http://stpetersburg.usconsulate.gov/citizen.htm http://stpetersburg.usconsulate.gov/citizen.htm
Russian and Cyrillic letters
by HORSCHECK
When travelling to Russia be prepared that almost everything is only written in cyrillic letters. Only at airports, a few main train stations and the main sights you will find some English translations. The metro for example doesn't have any English translations. Apart from that not many people speak English. So when you are travelling without a guided group it is highly recommended to at least be able to read the cyrillic letters.
It is helpful to know a few Russian words:
Thank you = spassibo
Please = poshalsta
Good day = sdraswstwujtje
Entrance = wchod
Exit = wychod
Beer = pivo
Commandants' Cemetery in Peter and Paul Fortress
by grandmaR
I am interested in photographing cemeteries and memorials and statues that are found there. Our guide wasn't able to think of any cemeteries that were near to the normal tourist path except this one. So after we visited the Cathedral, we went around and saw the graveyard where all the commandants of the fortress were buried. It is by the East Wall (the altar wall) of the Peter and Paul Fortress, where 19 out of 32 commandants of the fortress were buried.
The tradition of burying the Commandants here was started when Robert Bruce was buried here in 1720. His tomb is opposite the cemetery gate in the iron fence which was erected in 1842-43. Only those who had attained the rank of Commandant or Chief Commandant were eligible to be buried here. Beginning in the 18th century, commandants were often appointed for life. During the reign of Alexander I, it became a tradition to appoint highly decorated war veterans to this post and that allowed them to end their careers in a relatively peaceful fashion. They were also the Commandants of the city of St. Petersburg. Mostly they served ceremonial functions.
In 1963-64 the cemetery was restored and the soil in the middle of the cemetery where the 18th century graves are was lowered to the original level. New foundations were built for the stones to mark the exact burial places, damaged stones were rebuilt and missing stones were added.
If you take the boat ride,...
by wozzek
If you take the boat ride, most likely they will take you to see this bird. When on the bridge, you have to hit the bird's head with the coin.
Make a wish, hit the head and your wish come true...
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A look from below
Winter Palace (forground) and Palace Square (rear)
making cardboard model of Orthodox Russian Church
All the statues were boarded up for the winter!
