St Petersburg celebrates the birthday of its founder – Peter I the Great

anastasia — Sun, 09 Jun 2013 18:18:22 +0000

THE STORY OF AMBER ROOM

anastasia — Sat, 01 Jun 2013 10:36:03 +0000

The idea of creating a room of amber belonged to a German jeweller Andreas Schluter. He reported this idea to the Prussian king Friedriech I, and promised to create a room full of golden light. In 1701 they invitied the best stone carvers, who worked 12 years. They made 22 carved amber panels for a room of 70 square meters.

In 1713 Friedriech Wilhelm I, the son of Friedriech I, was hoping to sign a secret treaty with the Russian Emperor Peter I, according to which he could occupy Near Pomerania. Peter I met him and signed the treaty, and for this the Prussian king offered him the Amber room as a gift.

During the WWII the Amber room was not taken out of the palace with other valuables, as the details were too fragile. The Germans transported it to Konigsberg, the amber panels were used to decorate one of the rooms in Konigsberg castle and became the gem of its museum. When the German troops were retreating, it was taken out to unknown destination no later than 6 April 1945. In late 1970s the State Council ordered to reconstruct the Amber Room.

So collecting of amber and long and careful works began. Architects and designers made significant effort, unlike anything in the world restoration practice. They recreated the Amber Room, and the specialists say it is now even better than before.

310TH ANNIVERSARY OF ST PETERSBURG! HAPPY BIRTHDAY, OUR BELOVED CITY!

anastasia — Sun, 26 May 2013 21:28:49 +0000

проверка

anastasia — Mon, 20 May 2013 13:47:33 +0000

9 May – Russia celebrates Victory Day

anastasia — Thu, 09 May 2013 18:53:11 +0000

FACTS ABOUT THE HERMITAGE YOU DIDN’T KNOW

anastasia — Sun, 05 May 2013 19:14:14 +0000

— The Hermitage is enormous. The Tzar of All Russia ruled the territory of more than 22 square kilometres, 1057 rooms, 117 stairs, 1945 windows. To see all the things displayed in the Hermitage, you need to spend 11 years and walk 25 kilometres.

— The number of sculptures on the roof of the Winter Palace – 176. You can count the vases yourself.

— The main Palace of the Russian Empire was built by more than 4000 builders, marble and sculpture specialists, parquet makers and artists. They earned very little money and lived in poor housing.

— The palace was built in the period from 1754 to 1762, and at that time it was the tallest dwelling house in St Petersburg. The Empress Elisabeth, for whom the Palace was built, died before the construction was finished, so the new Palace of 60 000 square metres was first owned by Peter III.

— When the construction was finished, the whole Palace square was full of rubbish. Peter III decided to clean it in a very unusual way. He announced that anyone can take anything from the square for free. A few hours later the square was perfectly clean.

— The rubbish was removed, but soon there arised another problem. The palace was burnt out in 1837. The whole Imperial family was homeless. However, 6000 unknown workers fixed up the situation – they worked days and nights and the Palace was reconstructed in 15 months. Although the price for this were a few hundreds of ordinary workers…

— The Winter Palace was repainted several times in different colors. It was red, pink, and a few other colors. It acquired its green color in 1946.

— The Winter Palace is a very monumental structure. It was made to represent the power and glory of the Russian Empire. The length of the main facade is 150 metres, the hight is 30 metres.

FOUNTAINS IN PETERHOFF – THE SEASON OPENS!

anastasia — Sun, 21 Apr 2013 20:12:00 +0000

27 April in Peterhoff the fountain season will be open.

in the morning, at 11 am the start of fountains will take place, accompanied by the music of the Anthem to the Great City. It will be the first fountain start of the year. From that day, the fountains will function daily.

The official Fountain Opening ceremony will be held 18th May.

The fountains will function weekdays 10.00 – 18.00
Weekwnds and public holidays – 10.00 – 19.00

COLLECTIONS OF THE HERMITAGE

anastasia — Tue, 16 Apr 2013 10:11:18 +0000

Madonna with the Baby (Madonna Litta)
Leonardo da Vinci
Milano 1490-1491
Was a part of Litta’s collection in Milano.
The painting was most likely performed in Milano, where the artist moved in 1482. It is one of those paintings which marked the new period in the art of Renaissance – the establishment of the High Renaissance style. The beautiful woman with the baby at her breast represents the mother’s love as the greatest value of the humanity. The composition of the painting is reserved and balanced. The figures of the Virgin Mary and the Baby are performed with the most subtle chiaroscuro. In the symmetric windows we can see the landscape with mountains, reminding us about the harmony and grandeur of the universe.
The painting was brought to the Hermitage in 1865 from the collection of Antonio Litta – hence the second name of it.
The sketch for the painting is in the Louvre, Paris.

Bridges of St Petersburg

anastasia — Mon, 15 Apr 2013 05:49:16 +0000

ANNIVERSARY OF ST PETERSBURG

anastasia — Sun, 14 Apr 2013 09:58:19 +0000

In 2013 St Petersburg is turning 310 years old. It will be one of the biggest anniversary celebrations.

This year the ST Petersburg Day will be celebrated in 2 days.

Apart from the traditional public events, on the first day 26 May, there will be a performance of choir singing on the steps of St Isaac’s Cathedral. The choir will consist of 4000 people. It will be the biggest choir performance in the world, and it is planned to be listed in the Guinness book.

The next day, 27 May, there will be a flower ceremony at the monument to Peter the Great – the founder of St Petersburg.