The former residence of one of Imperial Russia’s wealthiest families, Yusupov Palace is the site of Gregory Rasputin’s murder. Mystic and self-proclaimed healer of Alexei Romanov, the hemophiliac son of the Czar Nicholas II, Rasputin had much influence on the royal family, so much so that a group of noblemen led by Felix Yusupov decided to kill him. Notice the lavishness of Yusupov’s home, especially their home theater, as well as the depiction in wax of Rasputin’s final hours (at the end of the video).
The Cathedral of St. Peter and Paul rests on the grounds of an old fortress and is the burial place of numerous Russian emperors, starting with Peter the Great (1689-1725) and ending with Nicholas II (1894-1917). On July 17th, 1998, the remains of the last Czar and his family (his wife, Alexandra, and his children, Alexei, Anastasia, Tatiana, Olga and Maria), all executed by their Bolshevik guards, were buried beneath the cathedral.
We especially liked the Peterhof summer estate. Its palaces, gardens and amazing waterworks that flow out to the Baltic Sea are jaw-dropping. Built by Peter the Great in the 18th century, it had to be rebuilt after the ravages of WWII. The czar had quite a sense of humor: He installed hidden pop up fountains in the ground, intended to soak his esteemed guests. One of Russia’s most popular attractions, the grounds were crowded with visitors and a wedding party, all enjoying the great weather.
До свидания Da svidania (goodbye) St. Petersburg.
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