St Petersburg Part 6 - The buildings and canals

A more relaxed tour we enjoyed on our first day in this amazing city was a one-hour boat ride along the canals and the Neva River, which flows through the heart of St Petursburg. Along the banks of the Neva river, we saw the old fortress and many palaces. Another canal city! 

While we did see many tall, old apartment buildings built decades ago - soulless, colourless, crumbling places - we also saw countless beautiful, graceful buildings, many in lovely pastel colours. The distinction between the dwellings of the ‘haves’ and the ‘have-nots’ was really stark. Along the canals and riverfront, however, we saw only elegant buildings and beautiful gardens. The very run-down buildings that we saw were near the port area, though relatively new apartment blocks built nearby looked in better condition.

The canals and the river were lined with solid granite blocks, apparently the initiative of Catherine the Great after seeing how buildings were deteriorating due to the water constantly lapping at their bases. When you see how much granite is involved, you can only stand in awe of the heavy labour and cost that must have involved. The city soon became famous for all these granite embankments. We also were struck by the large number of very low bridges along the canals. Well, not literally struck, but you certainly had to duck down.  

The following photos will give you a snapshot of our very enjoyable tour. (Apart from anything else, it was so good to sit down for an hour!) 

Along the same canal as the Youssupov Palace, where we boarded our boat.

The entrance to the university campus was along the canal. 

An elegant building, but I was amused by all the Russian signs being followed by a sign for Pepsi. 

Another elegant building along the canal.

This is the shortest canal in the system and was the way we took to enter the main river. This archway-bridge and the buildings on either side were used by Catherine the Great.   

A mosque and minarets near the river with their beautiful blue and gold, taken using the zoom function on my camera.

A retired war vessel that is important in the history of the city, permanently berthed next the the Admiralty. 

The Admiralty, taken using my zoom lens.

Some beautiful palace gardens renowned for their lovely fountains. We alighted from our boat here, but unfortunately these gardens were not in our itinerary. 

The lovely garden fencing. 

Peeking through the fencing.

The narrow canal that makes the edge of the gardens.

Outside the Hermitage, taken from the coach.

Another view of the Hermitage, again taken from the coach.