The White Nights of Saint-Petersburg
by Francois Hagnere on 09/07/09 at 4:07 am
There is a moment when day is longer than night in Russia. It will leave you more time to discover one of the most beautiful towns of our planet.
Palace Square at night.
Image source: http://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fichier:PalaceSquareNight.jpg
During more than 50 days, between May 25 until July 17, the day is longer than the night in Saint-Petersburg. The town is located on the 60thNorth parallel. The longest day is on the Summer solstice (June 21-22), it then lasts 22 hours and night does not seem to exist any longer. The sun is not far under the horizon and lights up the night. The city suddenly turns unreal and reveals the splendour of the Czars. No one wishes to lose a minute and everybody strolls on the banks of the Neva. The long ice-blocked bridges open to let the boats in. They are coming from the Gulf of Finland and Lake Ladoga. The bridges remain open, so be careful not to stay on the wrong side of the river. Else you will have to walk kilometers in the City of Peter the Great and Catherine II. Of course, everything here truly is an enchantment for the eyes.
The natural phenomenon of the « White Nights » is the occasion of many concerts and exhibitions in the sumptuous edifices of the Venice of the Baltic. Fireworks are even shot from the Neva. The monuments, theatres, museums, and palaces are so many that I prefer to let you discover by yourself all these beauties in pictures. The Hermitage itself offers more than 3 million works of art. Only 30 kilometers away from Saint-Petersburg, the château of Peterhof can be reached by hovercraft. This is the Russian Versailles.
Enjoy your holidays in Russia.
Winter Palace.
Image source: http://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fichier:WinterPalace.jpg
Catholic Church of Saint-Catherine.
Image source:
http://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fichier:%D0%9D%D0%B5%D0%B2%D1%81%D0%BA%D0%B8%D0%B9_32-34.jpg
Zimny Canal.
Image source: http://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fichier:Zimny_Canal_in_Saint-Peterburg.JPG
Hermitage Museum.
Image source: http://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fichier:HermitageAcrossNeva.jpg
Russian Museum.
Image source: http://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fichier:Russian_museam.JPG
Typical architecture in Saint-Petersburg.
Palace Square.
Image source: http://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fichier:Palace_Square,_St._Petersburg,_Russia.jpg
Fortress of Saint-Peter and Saint-Paul. Grand Dukes Mausoleum.
Image source: http://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fichier:Neva-StPetersburg2.JPG
Church of the Savior on Blood.
Image source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:St._Petersburg_church.jpg
Interior of the Hermitage Museum.
Image source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Eremitage_Interior3,_St._Petersburg,_Russia.jpg
The Grand Cascade at Peterhof.
Image source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:The_Grand_Cascade_-_Peterhof.jpg
Liked it
HelloSiti
Jul 9th, 2009
Beautiful images. Have you visited Russia?
Aaron Paul Hicks
Jul 9th, 2009
Fantastic architecture, beautiful photos, it was a truly enjoyable read thankyou Francois for showing me all this,
I have often thought about visiting there and would love to see it in winter time,
best wishes friend,
from Aaron
California Dreamer
Jul 9th, 2009
nice article, and the photos are beautiful.
clay hurtubise
Jul 9th, 2009
Stunning, night or day!
Thanks,
Clay
PhoenixRox
Jul 10th, 2009
Superb images.Loved reading your article too. The architecture is truly stunning. I especially loved, the St.Petersberg church. Have you ever been there, to Russia that is.
Warm Regards,
Phoenix.
chris73
Jul 10th, 2009
Thank you for this. Travels are great anyway
Lostash
Jul 10th, 2009
What a beautiful city! Just look at those stunning buidings. Great piece Francois.
prince charming
Jul 11th, 2009
YEAH I AGREE WITH EVERYONE, SPLENDID BUILDINGS MARVELLOUS SCENERY
KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK!!!! =]
Rana Sinha
Jul 11th, 2009
Lovely article about one of the grandest cities on our planet. White nights is the best way to experience St.Petersburg.
BrandonGates
Jul 11th, 2009
My firend works at St. Petersburg… She says that it’s immposible for her to sleep during the white nights because she can’t get used to it.
R J Evans
Jul 12th, 2009
Some day I will make it there!
Ruby Hawk
Jul 12th, 2009
So beautiful, and I would love to see it in person. Tell me, when the days are so long, when do you sleep?
Hasham
Jul 13th, 2009
Very nice articles. The pictures are amazing.
Ruby Hawk
Jul 13th, 2009
I give you another I like.
rizzei
Jul 15th, 2009
that’s awesome! cool pics too..i wonder when will be the time i’ll be seeing that place
Tanya Wallace
Jul 16th, 2009
A very interesting piece with some great imagery added.Looks like a lovely place to visit!Cheers
Ruby Hawk
Jul 17th, 2009
another I like.
Pastor Curtis Barnett
Jul 20th, 2009
This was an awesome piece! Makes me want to visit.
Very well put together
MJ Sunderland
Aug 15th, 2009
Great work, my friend. I’ve always wanted to go to Russia. Your article has convinced me that St.Petersburg is the place to visit first.
JoeLopy
Jan 21st, 2011
Great article, Francois. I have been lucky to have had the opportunity in life to see the white nights in S. Petersburg. Beautiful………………………Thanks for this article. I feel like going back there again. Take care.
Sharif Ishnin
Jan 21st, 2011
Lovely article Francois. I used to sketch the church St Petersburg church for a set display. Seeing it again makes me remember those days again. Russia is an awesome destination with a very long history. Another great post.
SharifaMcFarlane
Jan 21st, 2011
The Church of the Savior looks like something from a fairy tale.
Thank you for this lovely share Francois.
Starpisces
Jan 21st, 2011
I wonder why you are so good in this, Francois, well written again, friend.
Helenaspb
Jan 21st, 2011
And I live in this city since the birth!
All greetings from Peter!!!
The Bling
Jan 21st, 2011
Same with Star, I wonder how you get all your data and great pictures. Great work.
Likha
Jan 21st, 2011
Thanks for having this re-published. This gets me thinking, have been around the world, Francois? You are such an expert. I am really blessed. Hats off!
Likha
Jan 21st, 2011
Typo, sorry .. have you been around the world?
albert1jemi
Jan 21st, 2011
nice share
MJ Sunderland
Jan 21st, 2011
Just revisiting. Incredible examples of Russian Baroque.
Francois Hagnere
Jan 21st, 2011
Thank you my friend for such lovely comments. Take care.
Patrick Bernauw
Jan 21st, 2011
What a marvellous article, and such beautiful pictures!
overwings
Jan 22nd, 2011
Piter as magnificient as ever. During the white nights, even more when everybody goes out and there is music everywhere.
bluemagic29
Jan 22nd, 2011
amazing..i like this article…informative and wonderful..and beautiful russia.:)))
albert1jemi
Jan 24th, 2011
great share
Marco22331
Mar 15th, 2011
Very nice articles. The pictures are amazing.