The Church of the Spilt Blood
We drove through St Petersburg to our next stop.
We crossed a narrow road jammed with coaches passing each other. Their drivers looking less than happy having to stop to let us cross the road. The space in front of the cathedral was packed with crowds taking pictures, waiting in groups or simply sheltering out of the sun.
While we waited outside the church for Svetlana to pick up our tickets to enter, I was approached by a couple dressed in Imperial clothes and asked if I wanted a take a picture – this would probably have been for a fee.
On our previous visit we had walked to the church at the side of the canal. We were now on the other side of the church and to enter we simply crossed the square in front of the church. Looking down the canal was busy with boats.
Dire warnings!
Just inside the entrance is the place where the Czar was blown up, the cobblestones had been put back once the church was built.
This visit we all made sure that our free time to wonder was clear and where we were to meet Svetlana was just as clear for all of us.
We had to queue to get to the front to view some of the magnificent walls. While I waited I used the phones in front for inspiration.
Another warning.
Outside we were at the side of the canal where I joined the other tourists taking pictures. This is the view of the canal with the pedestrianised road full of stalls.
Walking back around the church we passed artists displaying their paintings on the fences of the park.
The crowds at the front of the church with just as big. The couple in period costume were still trying to get tourist to take pictures of them. We crossed the busy road still jammed with coaches then in to a side street where Valeri was waiting. This cartoon was on the back of one of the coaches.
