I've been doing something I used to make fun of my family for - being "boring,"old and going through museums reading the signs and listening to the audio guides. Well, now that I'm grown up (I think) I really enjoy these things. I've rented/paid for the audio guide at every museum we've visited on this trip. Partly because most of the signage is in Russian and partly because I love the little anecdotes shared through out the guide. I'd rather have a real life guide - maybe next trip I'll splurge on a real guide at a few of the museums.
My favorite museum/palace we visited in St. Petersburg was the Yusupov Palace. This home was huge, but not totally ridiculous for a palace. We weren't allowed to take photos, because we didn't buy a photo ticket (language barrier issue, I'm sure). But we managed to sneak a few.
After ascending the grand staircase (yes please) we went through the ceremonial bedroom. No one actually stayed in this room. But guests had to walk through it to get into the entertainment spaces including 3 parlors, a dance hall, a banquet hall, and a dining room.
I enjoyed the dance hall with its beautiful parquet floors (who knew parquet could be beautiful)! Another group of tourists waltzed through the dance hall, it was quite cute. I also really enjoyed the dining room. The legs of the table were griffons.
This palace had a beautiful theater in it. Many amazing performers have graced its stage including Lizt and Berlioz. We were fortunate to walk into the theater just as a performing group was beginning a demonstration. Amazing. If we had more days/evenings here, I would have love to take in a full concert.
Downstairs we went through part of the living quarter - a spectacular library and a beautiful fountain room and the biggest billiard table I've ever seen.
The best part of the of the palace is the basement. It felt very secretive. We had to ask to go down and it was entirely in Russian. We were escorted through the exhibit by a museum staff member. It was an exhibit reenacting the death of Rasputin. Rasputin was a spiritual advisor/mystic. He was invited over to the palace for a private party. He was then led to the basement rooms for dessert. The desserts had been poisoned. When he was weakened, Prince
Felix Yusupov shot Rasputin 4 times. They thought he was dead, only he wasn't. They dragged him to the river and dumped his body. When he was discovered, it turns out the real cause of death was drowning. The exhibit also included many original documents and articles written about Rasputin and his death.
Felix Yusupov shot Rasputin 4 times. They thought he was dead, only he wasn't. They dragged him to the river and dumped his body. When he was discovered, it turns out the real cause of death was drowning. The exhibit also included many original documents and articles written about Rasputin and his death.
In the basement was also an example of the original kitchen. On display were kozoulya. These are hard cookies that look a lot like gingerbread. They are made in Russia for special occasions like weddings or new babies. They are also made for Christmas. The horse and the deer were historically known as being holy animals with protective powers so the tradition kozoulya are traditionally cut in those shapes. It's considered bad luck to eat the, right away and some people simply keep them and never eat them as to keep their protective powers intact.
On the day we went to the Yusupov palace we did a long self-guided walking tour. We walked past St. Isaac's Cathedral. This is one of the largest cathedrals in Russia. We decided not to go inside. If I ever come back, I will. But, we were feeling a bit churched out. Outside of the cathedral in the square is a monument to Nicolas first. Is was my favorite monument in the city. It features Nicolas on his horse. But around it are 4 women. 1 his wife the other three his daughters. They are holding objects to
represent faith, wisdom, justice, and might.
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