Travel Thursday - The Baltic Adventure Part 8

Today we wrap up day 2 in Russia. 

The day started in the Yusupov Palace, one of the few homes in St. Petersburg to have the original interior. The Yusupov's were one of the wealthiest families in Russia, believed to be wealthier than the Romanov's and were good friends to the Tsars family from the time of Ivan the terrible. Their palace is known as the place where the murder of Rasputin began.

For those who don't remember the story of Rasputin, here is the abbreviated version. Rasputin was a peasant and a charlatan who claimed to be a healer. He became great friends with the Tsar and his wife and was the personal healer for their son with hemophilia. A group, including Felix Yusupov, did not like the influence he had over the Tsar, so plotted to kill him. They called him over and took him into the basement for cakes. The poison in the cakes didn't work, nor did the poison in the wine. At this point Rasputin was told to pray in front of the cross (pictured below) and shot him. Thinking he was dead the shooter went to get help to remove the body. He was not dead and attacked them, fled from the house and collapsed in the snow, where the conspirators shot him some more.  Finally, Rasputin was dead. 

The upstairs of this palace, where this bizarre story took place, was as beautiful as any Tsar palace. 

They even boasted their own theatre, smaller (seating about 100) but as beautiful as the Alexandrinsky theatre where we saw the ballet. 

After this palace we went to visit the Metro. 

The art in the metro is stunning. 

We took the 400 metre escalator down to it. 

Then we hopped on a train and went over 1 stop to see more art. Each stop has a theme. The one we went to had a sports theme. 

The one we started in had a nautical theme. 

The Man with his namesake St. Andrew

On our walk back to the van we passed McDonald's.

Then on to a stop at Starbucks.

This cup wasn't available to buy:(

This was the building near the Starbucks

Our final stop in Russia was St. Issac's Cathedral.

Showing the grandeur of it

Looking up to the dove in the dome

One last glance of the city before we get on our boat and head to Finland.