to lead-in page

Saint Petersburg

© 1998 by Hugh D. Cox

St. Petersburg is the most "European" City in Russia. It also has unique culture, art and incredible history. The Hermitage is one of the best museums in the world. Many Europeans come to the city in bus tours and tourists are treated as honored guests. I was fascinated by the street artists and musicians. These paintings, sketches and recordings make great gifts for friends.

The Czars' Summer Palace

One of the interesting stories I heard in St. Petersburg was the continuing story from the siege during the Great War from 1941 until 1945. St. Petersburg (then Leningrad) was virtually surrounded by nazi German forces for 900 days. More than 300,000 people died. Those who fought or worked received two pieces of bread daily. Those who did not received one piece of bread. During the winter, bodies could not be buried. The city botanical garden had very rare palm trees which survived the war because citizens kept fires going to warn the trees in the winter. Fuel for the fires was mostly individual furniture. In 1997, the palm trees died when the city utilities cut off the electricity and gas for non-payment of utility bills by the botanical gardens.

I was impressed with the professionalism, discipline and restraint of the national militia police in Saint Petersburg. At the city's annual celebration day (May 31), there were approximately 30,000 to 50,000 "drinking" people gathered to watch fireworks. The crowd was similar to a "college" crowd, but was superbly managed by respectful policemen. This professionalism, loyalty and respect for ordinary Russians of the security forces of  Russia are the keys to Russia's future.
For a recent story on human rights and the State Militia in Saint Petersburg, see the Human Rights page.