Colonnade of Saint Isaac Cathedral, Palace Square and Nevsky Prospect

Dobroye Utro (Good Morning)
insert my roommate, Angel :-)

On top of the Saint Isaac Cathedral

Hermitage Museum -Winter Palace, Saint Petersburg Russia

Part of the Palace Square, Saint Petersburg Russia

Frozen Canal

Second day Tour -Itinerary Saint Isaac Cathedral Colonnade

Above photos are what we saw on our way to Saint Isaac Cathedral. And yes, it is again the Hermitage Museum and it's Palace Square during the day. Still one of the best architecture in the World.

From the palace, the Tsar ruled over 22,400,000 square kilometres(almost 1/6 of the Earth landmass) and almost over 125 million subjects by the end of 19th Century. It was designed by many architects the most notably is Bartolomeo Rastelli. The reason this style is called the Elizabeth Baroque Style. The green and white palace have an elongated rectangular shape. The Winter Palace has been calculated to contain 1,886 doors, 1,945 windows, 1,500 rooms and 117 staircases.

Well, that's what keeps us to pause and pose for pictures before going to Saint Isaac Cathedral. You might ask why again a Church? It is because on this church we can have the best viewing point in central Saint Petersburg.

It is 43 meters high above downtown. You can see the city in 360 degrees panoramic view with all its major landmarks and landscapes.

View from the top of Saint Isaac Cathedral

Our look after the climb

View of Neva River

To name a few on what we saw on top of the Saint Isaac Cathedral was the Neva River. It is the river flows from Lake Ladoga through the western part of Leningrad Oblast to the gulf of Finland. It said to be the fourth largest river in Europe in terms of discharge despite its size of 74 kilometres (46mi).

Spiral Staircase of 200 steps

 To be able to go on top of the Cathedral you need to climb up the spiral staircases of 200 steps and another staircase which has a 70 cm wide. On the floor, there is the signage of viewing point and binoculars (when we are here a cloth was wrapped around it).

Saint Isaac's Cathedral represents late Classicism Architecture. It is said that it is a result of 4th attempt constructing the Church. It began when Peter the Great intended to build a church named after St. Isaac of Dalmatia, patron saint of the emperor. First, it was a wooded church which didn't survive the flood. Then, later on, Stone successor built in the current Bronze Horseman spot wasn't destined to survive because of fire. Later on, Catherine II commissioned the project to the architect A.Rinaldi and V. Brenna, however, didn't bring to completion. Then finally, the Cathedral we see now is designed by a French Architect A.de Monferrand and constructed mainly during the reign of Nicholas I.

They said that is was a huge project that roughly over 400 thousand people took part in building this, like the stonecutters, carpenters, talented craftsmen and also commoners. They had to work in extremely hard conditions and not so infrequently lost of lives. This grandeur Cathedral that we enjoy and see now was built by self-sacrificing and courageous common people.
Ticket Entrance Price:200 Russian Rubble

After the Saint Isaac's Cathedral climb we walked towards our accommodation. Then we realised that the climb made us hungry, we decided to stop by the mall next to our place and eat lunch.

Late lunch at Passage Supermarket- Cafe

When we arrived at the hotel again we took a rest and nap due to the bed-weather and kinda tired of the climb( wink). I and my roommate got up at around 1800 and wanted to explore the Nevsky Prospect. It is actually the main street of Saint Petersburg. Then, later on, our other Chikas went out to see the same thing and had a drink. Girls want to have fun. This is a way of me saying that it is a safe place to be.

Pizza and  Russian beer

Girls just wanna have fun

Nevsky Prospect

It takes its name from Alexander Nevsky Lavra, the monastery which is at the end of the street from the east and which commemorates the Russian Hero Prince Saint Alexander Nevsky. There so many things to see here from the historical monument of Catherine the great, churches, 18th-century shopping mall, 19th-century shopping mall.

It is now as the main street, shopping area and also for nightlife in this side of the world.

Lunch at Wukapu Restaurant at Nevsky Prospect

My Souvenirs

This actually our day two and day three Itinerary.
Budget Check of the Day

Day Two:

•   Entrance to Saint Isaac  --200 Russian Rubbles (purchase online)
•   Coffee / Fruit tea on the street --- 70 Russian Rubbles / 120  Rubbles
•   Lunch at Passage ----500 Russian Rubbles / 350 Russian rubbles
•   Grocery for Bread ---65 Russian Rubbles
•   Pizza and beer   for other Chikas ---550 rubbles /2 = 275 each 

Total Spent (for me)--- 885 Russian Rubbles 
My other Chikas some less and some more.

Day Three:

• Lunch at wukapu Restaurant --435 Rubbles
• Grocery --- 841 Rubbles
• Coffee and Waffle ---240 Rubbles
• Transportation to Airport - 150 Rubbles
•  food at the airport  ---600 Rubbles

Total Spent (for me)   ----2,266 Russian Rubbles

Again my other chikas less or more.


That's the end of our Russian adventure. And to our surprise, is within the budget challenge that we allocate. However, there was really exactly among the four of us
who have spent only what she exchange without using any cards? She is Ms Angel, my roommate, she exchanges 4,800 and spent 4,845. As for me, I exchange for 4,620 and spent 4,820 rubbles this is with all my souvenirs. Actually, this a good job for me normally
I lavishly spend when I travel however with Chikas like these they are heaven-sent.

Our take-home was experienced and seeing these historical landmarks in person.
Just taking a pause from work, learning about other cultures and their way of life was an unforgettable experience. Seeing and knowing one's country and cultures can change perspective. Like mine, my thoughts about Russia is cold both the country and its people.
To my surprise, they have a rich history and culture and its people are really warmth inside at least the one in Saint Petersburg. They helped us without expecting anything in return.
Saint Petersburg is one of the underrated city in the world. Its beauty, grandeur and people are one of the treasures of the World to see. So what are you waiting for, visit and feel it's warmth and beauty. It is better to see the place in person rather than looking at the photo and stories about it.

This is Jesse Quetz saying Spasibo. Uvidimsya Saint Petersburg.
Click the video below for my Vlog of this day.

See you all in my next adventure...