Peter and Paul Fortress from Saint Petersburg, Russia

Lyuba from Russia sent me an official postcard with the view of Peter and Paul Fortress, Saint Petersburg!

Once a desolate swamp, Saint Petersburg is considered to be one of the most beautiful cities in the world, being an important center of tourism in Russia. It was named in honor of St. Peter and not Peter the Great, the founder of the city. The name can be translated as "The City of St. Peter". Sometimes it is called "The Northern Capital of Russia" (referring to the centuries-old rivalry between St. Petersburg and Moscow). Saint-Petersburg is the second largest city in Russia with a population of about 5 million people. This is one of the most breathtakingly beautiful places on earth and virtually any building in the large historic center, threaded with canals dotted with baroque bridges, can be considered an attraction—and indeed, it is a UNESCO World Heritage site. From the mysterious twilight of the White Nights to world-beating opera and ballet productions on magical winter evenings, St. Petersburg charms and entices in every season.

On the postcard – one of the main places of interest in Saint Petersburg, Peter and Paul Fortress. The Peter and Paul Fortress is the original citadel of St. Petersburg, founded by Peter the Great in 1703 and built to Domenico Trezzini's designs from 1706-1740. In the early 20th century, it was still used as a prison by the tsarist government. In the middle of the fortress stands the impressive Peter and Paul Cathedral, the burial place of all the Russian Emperors and Empresses from Peter the Great to Alexander III. The Cathedral was the first church in the city to be built of stone (between 1712-33) and its design is curiously unusual for a Russian Orthodox church. Other buildings in the fortress include the City History Museum and the Mint, one of only two places in Russia where coins and medals are minted.

The stamp is dedicated to the 175 anniversary of the first postal stamp (Black penny).

The link is here:

https://www.postcrossing.com/postcards/RU-3826653

Thanks a lot, Lyuba!

A postcard from Russia! (cats in love)

Russia is a very familiar to me country, as we are neighbors. Russian Federation is a country in the northern Eurasia. The capital is Moscow. The population is about 140,702,000. Official language is Russian, though there are 35 co-official languages in various regions. In terms of land area, Russia is the largest country in the world. Russia is the only country in the world washed by 12 seas. Russia contains a lot of national resources and over 40 national parks and 100 wildlife reserves. Moscow is the one of the world’s expensive city. Kremlin in Moscow is the official residence of the Russian president. There are 221 museums, 2,000 libraries, more than 80 theaters, 100 concert organizations, 45 galleries, 62 cinemas and 80 club establishments of culture only in St Petersburg. What concerning people, hospitality plays a significant role in the Russian mentality. So when you make friends with Russian people you will value this amazing and unique feature the so-called «Wide Russian sole».

Here is a hymn of this vast country:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cNornahj0OQ

At the back of this wonderful gentle postcard there is a cute poem, called «The meeting»:

To see.

And to rub a nose with a nose,

And to listen to the beating

Of the dear heart.

At the stamps there are 2 wonderful dogs, a reproduction of a painting by a Russian artist and a Ryazan Kremlin.

Thanks a lot for the postcard, Natali!