MASTER RALLYE: THE STARTING POINT
The 8th edition of the "Master Rallye" invites our
friends to the fascinating journey along the roads of Sovereign
Russia. If you want to see the most famous and beautiful ancient
Russian towns, the sparkling diamonds in the crown of the Russian
Empire, follow us. There is no coincidence that St.Petersburg was
chosen to be the starting point of our journey. Next year it will
celebrate its 300th anniversary, and for over 200 years it had been
the capital of the Russian Empire. St.Petersburg has given Russia
the great number of prominent statesmen including current president
of Russia Vladimir Putin.
 St.Petersburg was founded on May 16, 1703 in the mouth of the Neva
river. Its founder Emperor Peter I supposed it to become "window to
Europe" and to promote Russia's entering the European civilization.
St.Petersburg is properly considered one of the most beautiful
cities of the world. It stretches out over 42 islands in the delta
of the Neva river and it justifies its name of "Northern Venice" as
it claims world's number one in number of bridges, rivers and
islands. There are over 300 bridges in the city, thus it is a true
"museum of bridges". St.Petersburg's unique beauty is recognized all
over the world, and in 1990 it was
registered with UNESCO as
"museum-city in the open air".
One of the most well-known symbols of St.Petersburg is the famous
"Bronze Horseman" - a monument to Peter the Great. The brilliant
creation of the French sculptor E. Falconet, it was erected in 1782
on the embankment of Neva next to the Admiralty. The "Bronze
Horseman" is one of the world's most expressive equestrian
monuments. Many legends and traditions have been told about it, one
of which says that as long as the monument is in St.Petersburg no
enemy will invade the city.
Behind the "Bronze Horseman" stands St.Isaac’s Cathedral - a
grandiose creation of the French architect Auguste de Montferrand.
This gorgeous piece of art is Montferrand's best creation (according
to his own words).
On a small island in the Neva delta Peter and Paul Fortress is
situated. Its main cathedral has been the burial place for all
Russian Emperors, and every day at noon since the fortress'
foundation up to now its main cannon makes a shot by which the
citizens check their watches as their ancestors did 200 years ago.
 The State Hermitage - one of the world's biggest museums - is
located at the Palace Square in the building of the Winter Palace -
former main residence of all the Russian Emperors. 1764 is
considered the year of the museum's foundation, when the Empress
Catherine II placed a collection of paintings in one of the palace's
apartment called in French manner "l'hermitage" meaning "place of
solitude". The name "Hermitage" was later extended to the whole
picture gallery. Along with the paintings the Hermitage collection
grew with the collections of engravings and drawings, carved stones,
books, coins, medals, porcelain, ancient Greek and Roman sculptures
and everyday life goods. In the 19th century the Hermitage
collection was enlarged with the wealthiest collection of the
Scythian gold from the tumuli of the Russian South. After the 1917
revolution multiple private collections were nationalized and
transferred to the Hermitage museum. Nowadays the Hermitage
collection contains about three million exhibits including
masterpieces of such great artists as Leonardo da Vinci, Raphael,
Rodin, Rubens, Rembrandt etc.
On the banks of Moyka and Fontanka rivers gorgeous palaces - former
residences of Russian city nobility are situated. You can't walk
without thrill past the majestic colonnade of the Kazan Cathedral,
where famous Russian commander M.Kutuzov was buried and the ancient
icon of the Kazan Mother of God is preserved.
 There is another outstanding creation of A.Montferrand on the Palace
Square in front of the Winter Palace - the Alexander Column, that
has also been a permanent symbol of St.Petersburg.
The famous
St. Alexander-Nevsky Lavra (Monastery) that holds the
ashes of Russia's first generalissimo A.Suvorov, is also worth your
attention.
The tourists attracted to St.Petersburg from all over the world
dreaming of night promenade about the city must keep in mind that
approximately between 2 and 5 AM all the bridges in the city are
raised to let the sea ships through. During these hours there is no
possibility to get to the other side of the river except taking a
small boat, but it will cost you quite a sum.
Most famous Russian poets and writers, such as A.Pushkin, N.Gogol,
L.Tolstoy, F.Dostoevsky appealed to St.Petersburg in their works.
Even in a thick volume of a guidebook you couldn’t possibly describe
all the sights of this marvelous city and its suburbs, but even if
you could how would you express the feeling of admiration and
veneration overwhelming everyone who comes to St.Petersburg? It is
impossible! So welcome to your own St.Petersburg experience.
Photo: Rodion Vlassov
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