Russia
© Photographs : Bronwyn Preston on her 2013 trip.
© Photographs : Thérèse O’Leary, I managed to find some digital photos, the four autumn ones, enjoy.
My two month trip was in 1999, to the city of canals and bridges, St Petersburg and a train trip to Moscow. This was an amazing experience and I would love to see it all again not to mention the many things I missed. Seeing the jewels of Russian art, architecture and culture included the Hermitage Museum and Winter Palace , Palace Square, Kazan Cathedral, Church of Split Blood, Peter and Paul Fortress, Peterhof, Paul’s Palace and Pavlovsk Park, St Nicholas Naval Cathedral, St Isaac’s Cathedral, Sennaya Ploshchad, Vasilevskiy Island, Aleksandrinskiy Theatre, Bolshoy Moskvoretsky Bridge, Mariinsky Theatre, Lubyanka Square, Catherine Palace and Park, Tsarskoe Selo, The Pushkin Museum of Fine Art, The State Tretyakov Gallery, The Cathedral of the Redeemer or Christ the Saviour, The Kremlin, St Basil’s Cathedral, Red Square, Kremlin Armoury and Royal Treasury, Kremlin Cathedrals and the ballet at the Bolshoj Theatre to name a some of the places. The history can only be imagined when travelling and seeing all these places.
Here are some notes from Bronwyn which go with some of the photos. I am not sure if you realise, Bronwyn took something like 7000 photos , the slideshow is a taste. To see them all maybe a private viewing with Bronwyn or on her website soon.
“Palace Square is between the back of the Hermitage and St Isaacs Cathedral. Breathtaking square. Photos don’t do justice.A great meeting place with buskers, tourists, cycles etc. Also in the past place for demonstrations.”
“The Hermitage is massive. You cannot see it all in a few visits. Here is just a small glimpse. If you ever go be warned… It becomes stifling hot in the early afternoon. Most of the rooms have no air-conditioning. You are allowed to photograph most art works. I noticed the works on display lent to the Museum from overseas were kept out of the direct sunlight from the windows
Even out of focus it is amazingly beautiful
overlooking the Neva River, the rooms for these exhibits were air conditioned and you were not allowed to photograph these works. Next year is the 250th anniversary of the Museum and a lot of rarely seen art will be on display. Also art galleries from around the world will be lending some of their art to celebrate. I think next year the amount of work allowed to be photographed will be limited. I couldn’t believe the humidity, heat and direct sunlight on masterpieces. I think the lending galleries next year will be very strict.”
“The first time you go to the Hermitage all you can look at is the scale and details of the Winter Palace. The second time you go you look at the paintings.”
“The exquisite little cabinet pictured, not my best focus, however it is fun to zoom in on 2195 and move it around to see the delightful animals done on porcelain. You can zoom in to the angle that is your favourite and put as a screen background. My favourite part is the bottom that can be zoomed in and look like a sash at the bottom.”
My Embankment walk started from the park opposite the 4 Seasons Hotel with the scenery going for miles and miles, just beautiful. The small part I did Including seeing the restoration of the magnificent Admiralty and naturally all the magic of the night lights.
Enjoy some youtube videos.
“For more than two centuries, the Hermitage has been adorned by a unique exhibit that never fails to evoke the enchanted admiration of visitors – the famous Peacock Clock. The figures of a peacock, cockerel and owl that form part of this elaborate timepiece-automaton are fitted with mechanisms that set time in motion”
Men’s Chorus at the Grotto Pavilion in Catherine Park
Catherine Palace and Park
3D Mapping on Alexandrinsky Theatre, Saint-Petersburg, Russia
Sennaya Ploshchad the Hay Market
Russian Ark is a 2002 historical drama film directed by Alexander Sokurov. It was filmed entirely in the Winter Palace of the Russian State Hermitage Museum using a single 96-minute Steadicam sequence shot. Wikipedia
A one-take journey through Russia’s iconic Hermitage museum | Shot on iPhone 11 Pro
Therese O'Leary 
Thanks Bronwyn and Therese for sharing these photos….One day I’ll get there
September 16, 2013 at 3:13 PM
Hope these snap shots inspire people to go to Russia… St. Petersburg in particular.
I spent two weeks in St. Petersburg and didn’t see everything. It is a beautiful
historic city with a vigour that is promising of a better future.
September 19, 2013 at 2:44 PM
Hi Bronwyn, Great snap shots, I have enjoyed including them and they bring back lots of wonderful memories. When I was there it was the good old film days, no digital camera for me and your shots have brightened up the blog. It sounds like it is becoming easier and easier to travel in that part of the world. I remember being totally amazed with how much there was to see and do while wondering and imagining about all the culture and history that had taken place. After being there for a couple of months, looking back it was not nearly enough, everyday there was something new to see and discover. Looking forward to reading more about your travels there. Therese
September 19, 2013 at 3:02 PM
Photos are great for remembering details you forget. You’re right, it is easy to get around these days. I spoke to
someone who travels to Russia for business and it has opened right up. As you can see they don’t mind you photographing
almost anything now.
September 20, 2013 at 1:55 PM
That reminds me, I was unable to post a parcel due to different items being included. Each different item was required to be posted separately. The other thing I remember not being able to post undeveloped rolls of film, which defeated the purpose at the time.
September 20, 2013 at 6:23 PM