Hermitage

We don't have that many pictures inside the Hermitage. They wanted an extra 200 rubles to take pictures (about $6 that I could better invest in pastries). But I did sneak this room in. It's remarkable...all walls are guilded and the floor is hand carved with several different types of woods. Just like home

And speaking of Tsars and Tsarina's, here are two of my favorites! Taken next to a huge fountain in the courtyard of the Hermitage.

Across from the Winter Palace in Palace Square there is this huge semi-circle building called the General Staff Building that was the center for the Russian Army at one point. Frankly, it looks larger and more overwhelming than the Winter Palace that is located across from it. This picture does not due justice to the statue located over the arch. Obviously, it's a chariot with driver. I took this shot from over 100 yards away and it's still massive. Across from this is Alexander's Column, dedicated to Alexander I who helped defeat Napolean. This Square is also the site where troops stormed the Winter Palace in both 1904, and 1917 that effectively started the revolution.