Catherine's Palace Continued

Earlier I mentioned that we had the best tour guide in life. Well, meet Maria. She is from St. Petersburg and not only was she kind of adorable to be around, she knew more about Russian History that we ever could have imagined. And every decade, revolution, change, etc. This picture is Lori, Hillary, Maria outside of Catherine's Palace. There's a really great story about that small Turkish mosque behind us, but for the life of me, I do not remember it. At all.

This was an amazing display right in the palace. It was Peter the Great's Chess Set. Yep. Right here, in bold red and white. Don't know what it's made of but if you can zoom in on the pieces, they are all patterned after Chinese figures.

I only put this picture in for one reason. It looks like a mirror reflecting back an image of doorways. And kind of ad infinatum. Actually, we are looking through a door to other doors. And more doors. And then a few more doors. All guilded. This is along just one hall of the palace. Remember, too. This place was used about 2-3 nights per year.

Remember how I mentioned previously that the palace had been virtually destroyed during WWII? In the basement of the palace they had lots of pictures that showed before and after shots of rooms destroyed. The room to the left which held this bomb has already been restored. Remarkable. Of note, for those Dr. Strangelove fans, I did not see Slim Pickens anywhere in the room:)