Statue of Three Graces in Gallery of the History of Ancient Painting in Hermitage Museum. Saint Petersburg, Russia, June 10, 2009
Replicas of ancient art in Gallery of History of Ancient Painting in Hermitage Museum. Saint Petersburg, Russia, June 10, 2009
Hall of Twenty Columns (ancient art) in Hermitage Museum. Saint Petersburg, Russia, December 16, 2005
Replicas of ancient Greek sculptures in Pavlovsky Palace. Pavlovsk, a suburb of Saint Petersburg, Russia, June 14, 2011
The Hall of Twenty Columns (ancient art) in Hermitage Museum. Saint Petersburg, Russia, July 22, 2005
Gallery of the History of Ancient Painting in Hermitage Museum. Saint Petersburg, Russia, July 17, 2012
Monolithic granite columns of Twenty-Column Hall (Ancient Italy) in Hermitage Museum. Saint Petersburg, Russia, June 10, 2009
Gallery of the History of Ancient Painting in Hermitage Museum. Saint Petersburg, Russia, February 7, 2013
Ancient art in Hermitage Museum. Saint Petersburg, Russia, February 7, 2013
Ancient Greek art in basement in Hermitage Museum. Petersburg, Russia, September 3, 2013
Replicas(?) of ancient statues in Hercules Room in Hermitage Museum. Saint Petersburg, Russia, June 10, 2009
Sculptures in Gallery of the History of Ancient Painting in Hermitage Museum. Saint Petersburg, Russia, February 7, 2013
Ancient sculptures in the Hall of Culture and Art of the Hellenistic Age in Hermitage Museum. Saint Petersburg, Russia, July 22, 2005
Marble sculpture in a gallery of the History of Ancient Painting in Hermitage Museum. Saint Petersburg, Russia, July 17, 2012
Granite columns in the hall of ancient art in Hermitage museum. Saint Petersburg, Russia, August 14, 2007
Marble statue of a woman with a skull in a gallery of the History of Ancient Painting in Hermitage Museum. Saint Petersburg, Russia, July 17, 2012
Ancient sculptures in Hermitage Museum. Saint Petersburg, Russia, February 7, 2013
Marble sculptures in Gallery of the History of Ancient Painting in Hermitage Museum. Saint Petersburg, Russia, February 7, 2013
Hall of Twenty Columns (ancient art) in Hermitage Museum. Petersburg, Russia, September 3, 2013
Ancient statues in Hermitage Museum. Saint Petersburg, Russia, February 7, 2013
Marble sculpture in Gallery of Ancient Painting in Hermitage Museum. Saint Petersburg, Russia, June 17, 2014
A passage to ancient art hall in Hermitage Museum. Saint Petersburg, Russia, July 22, 2005
Hall of ancient art in Hermitage Museum. Saint Petersburg, Russia, February 7, 2013
Marble sculpture of a woman in Gallery of Ancient Painting in Hermitage Museum. Saint Petersburg, Russia, June 17, 2014
Ancient Egyptian Temple right from Solomon Pillars in Timna Park, near Eilat. The Middle East, April 25, 2001
Replicas(?) of ancient statues in Hermitage Museum. Saint Petersburg, Russia, February 7, 2013
Ancient marble sculptures in Hermitage Museum. Saint Petersburg, Russia, January 2, 2016
Gallery of Ancient Painting in Hermitage Museum. Saint Petersburg, Russia, February 7, 2018
Statue of Isis(?) and Hellenistic columns of the Treasure (ancient Nabataean tomb) in Petra. Jordan, December 1, 2002
Ancient sculptures in basement in Hermitage Museum. Petersburg, Russia, September 3, 2013
Ancient art of Altay Region in basement in Hermitage Museum. Petersburg, Russia, September 3, 2013
Ancient Greek art in Hermitage Museum. Saint Petersburg, Russia, February 7, 2013
Hall of ancient art in Hermitage Museum. Petersburg, Russia, September 3, 2013
Arched ceiling of Gallery of Ancient Painting in Hermitage Museum. Saint Petersburg, Russia, June 17, 2014
Hall of ancient art in basement in Hermitage Museum. Petersburg, Russia, September 3, 2013
Replicas of ancient statues in Hermitage Museum. Saint Petersburg, Russia, January 2, 2016
Ancient Greece Hall in Hermitage Museum. Saint Petersburg, Russia, February 7, 2018
An ancient sculpture in Hermitage Museum. Saint Petersburg, Russia, December 16, 2005
Ancient city of Firuzabad in south-western Iran built by Ardashir I (AD224-41), a founder of the Sasanian dynasty, on a fertile plane. Two huge double ramparts of clay form a perfect circle around the city, nearly 2 km in diameter. A modern city is behind it near a slope of Kuhe-Meimend Ridge. Rudhaneye-Hane-Begom River is in foreground. View from a window of a plane from Doha, Qatar to Houston, TX, March 16, 2010.
Hall of Ancient Art in a basement of Hermitage Museum. Saint Petersburg, Russia, June 17, 2014
Gems on display in Hall of Ancient Art in a basement of Hermitage Museum. Saint Petersburg, Russia, June 17, 2014
A marble sculpture of three women in Gallery of the History of Ancient Painting in Hermitage Museum. Petersburg, Russia, September 3, 2013
Sacred Slavensky Springs near the ancient fortress Izborsk. Russia, August 8, 2004
Exhibitions in a hall of ancient art in Hermitage Museum. Petersburg, Russia, September 3, 2013
Hall of ancient Egypt art in basement in Hermitage Museum. Petersburg, Russia, September 3, 2013
Replica of an ancient sculpture of a woman (Erminia by Rinato Rinaldi) above Main Staircase in Hermitage Museum. Saint Petersburg, Russia, June 17, 2014
The village of Siloah (Silwan) built over ancient caverns of the Jewish necropolis viewed from the opposite side of Kidron Valley. Jerusalem, the Middle East, July 12, 2001
Ancient Egypt Hall in Hermitage Museum. Saint Petersburg, Russia, February 7, 2018
Ancient Jewish tombs in Kidron Valley, view from Derekh Ha Ofel sidewalk. Jerusalem, the Middle East, November 22, 2001
Some upper cave of an ancient Jewish cemetery in Kidron Valley, view from Derekh Ha Ofel road. Jerusalem, the Middle East, December 13, 2002.
Ruines of ancient houses on Purple Island (Jazirat Bin Ghanim). Al Khor, Qatar, August 1, 2015
In a yard of Khan el Umdan (Pillars Inn) in Old City of Akko, with ancient pillars taken from Caesarea. The Middle East, June 7, 2001
View of Mediterranean sea and the park from an ancient wall protruding from the sands in southern Ashkelon. The Middle East, September 19, 2001
View of southern Ashkelon from an ancient wall protruding from the sands. The Middle East, September 19, 2001
Ancient burial chambers in basements of modern houses of Silwan (Kefar Ha-Shiloah) village in Kidron Valley, view from Derekh Ha Ofel road. Jerusalem, the Middle East, December 13, 2002.
Remains of ancient Philistine Ashqalon in southern Ashkelon. The Middle East, September 19, 2001
"Ancient Egypt" float of krewe of Endymion at Mardi Gras parade on Saint Charles Avenue. New Orleans, Louisiana, February 26, 2006
Ancient ingenious intertidal stone fish traps on a beach near Zubara archeological site. Northern Qatar, October 24, 2014
Ancient caves in sandstone for mining of copper in western Timna Park, near Eilat. The Middle East, April 25, 2001
Ancient quarries(?) in a garden on Mount Carmel near Zikhron Ya akov. The Middle East, March 5, 2002
Ancient Jewish tombs in Kidron Valley and cemetery on slope of Mount of Olives, view from Derekh Ha Ofel road. Jerusalem, the Middle East, December 13, 2002.
Model of ancient Egyptian coffin in National Museum of Funeral History. Houston, Texas, February 8, 2009
Exhibition of ancient art in basement in Hermitage Museum. Petersburg, Russia, September 3, 2013
Ancient stone lion in basement in Hermitage Museum. Saint Petersburg, Russia, February 7, 2018
Ancient art in Hermitage Museum. Saint Petersburg, Russia, February 7, 2018
En Aneva spring and pools at Nahal Tseelim with ruins of ancient agricultural buildings above, 2.5 miles north from Masada. The Middle East, May 17, 2001
Ancient copper mining camp near the Mushroom (to the right, out of picture) in Timna Park, 13 miles north from Eilat. The Middle East, November 7, 2002
Ancient sarcophagus in a basement of Hermitage Museum. Saint Petersburg, Russia, June 17, 2014
Monolithic granite columns of Twenty-Column Hall (Ancient Italy) in Hermitage Museum. Saint Petersburg, Russia, January 2, 2016
Ancient copper mining area near Solomon Pillars in Timna Park from Berekh ascent, 13 miles north from Eilat. The Middle East, November 7, 2002
The tower of Temnushka(?) of the ancient fortress Izborsk. Russia, August 8, 2004
Ancient sculpture in a basement of Hermitage Museum. Saint Petersburg, Russia, June 17, 2014
Ceiling of Hall of ancient art in Hermitage Museum. Saint Petersburg, Russia, January 2, 2016
A granite pillar among ruins of ancient harbour washed out by the sea at Mediterranean beach in southern Ashkelon. The Middle East, September 19, 2001
Ancient ruins above Ein Gedi Field School (free back entrance to the park) with Dead Sea on background. The Middle East, November 15, 2001
A trail along ancient riverbed east from Avdat. The Middle East, November 17, 2002
Moslems returning after a Friday worship on ancient Roman road Damascus Gate in Old City of Jerusalem. The Middle East, December 13, 2002.
Columns of Hall of ancient art in Hermitage Museum. Saint Petersburg, Russia, January 2, 2016
Remains of ancient Nabataean city Mamshit in Negev Desert near Dimona. The Western Church with a mosaic floor. The Middle East, December 23, 2000
Decaying ruins of an ancient harbour fallen in the sea at Mediterranean beach in southern Ashkelon. The Middle East, September 19, 2001
Timna stream and cliffs near ancient copper mines in Timna Park at morning at around 9:00. 13 miles north from Eilat, the Middle East, June 13, 2002
A park in the center of the city, with V. I. Lenin monument and ancient churches around it. Pskov, Russia, August 8, 2004
Mysterious hole in a rock on the place of ancient settlements, in Tumili-Hill on the crest of Yeroham ridge. The Middle East, March 8, 2001
An ancient riverbed (?) on a trail 1.5 miles east from Avdat. The Middle East, February 15, 2001
Copper oxides in red sandstone of Mount Amir near the site of ancient copper mining, 5 miles north from Eilat. The Middle East, March 25, 2002
Remains of ancient Nabataean city Mamshit in Negev Desert near Dimona, view of a road to the Eastern Church and British police station ( Camel police ) made from ancient rocks in 1936 on the top of a hill. The Middle East, December 23, 2000
Remains of ancient Nabataean city Mamshit in Negev Desert near Dimona, view of the House of Affluent from an observation tower. The Middle East, December 23, 2000
Remains of ancient Nabataean city Mamshit in Negev Desert near Dimona, view to the south from an observation tower, with the Western Church on background. The Middle East, December 23, 2000
Ancient ruins washed out by the sea in Ashkelon. The Middle East, October 5, 2002
Ancient Greek silver coin in Hermitage Museum. Saint Petersburg, Russia, June 3, 2011
Ancient Greek copper coin from Khersones in Hermitage Museum. Saint Petersburg, Russia, June 3, 2011
Grey granite bowl in ancient art section of Hermitage Museum. Saint Petersburg, Russia, November 16, 2016
Ancient Rome sculptures in Hermitage Museum. Saint Petersburg, Russia, February 7, 2018
Remains of ancient Nabatean city Mamshit, near Dimona, view behind the gate. The Middle East, December 23, 2000
Remains of ancient Nabatean city Mamshit in Negev Desert near Dimona, one of rooms in the House of the Affluent . The Middle East, December 23, 2000
War scene on an ancient coin in Hermitage Museum. Saint Petersburg, Russia, June 3, 2011
Timna stream and cliffs near ancient copper mines in Timna Park at morning at around 9:00. 13 miles north from Eilat, the Middle East, June 13, 2002
Ancient burial caves of Silwan (Shiloah) village from Derekh Ha Ofel Road. Jerusalem, the Middle East, October 31, 2002
Ancient copper mining cave in sandstone of a small wadi in western Timna Park, 13 miles north from Eilat. The Middle East, November 7, 2002
Remnants of ancient ingenious intertidal stone fish traps in Al Aaliya Island (Jazirat al Aliyah). Qatar, March 27, 2013
Ancient mummy in basement in Hermitage Museum. Petersburg, Russia, September 3, 2013
Ancient pottery in Hermitage Museum. Petersburg, Russia, September 3, 2013
Head of ancient sculpture in a basement of Hermitage Museum. Saint Petersburg, Russia, June 17, 2014
Ancient gems in Hermitage Museum. Saint Petersburg, Russia, February 7, 2018
Hall of Twenty Columns (ancient art) in Hermitage Museum. Saint Petersburg, Russia, February 7, 2018
Unexplored ancient city known only by Bedouins on a hill south from Givot Lahav South Reserve, in Mount Karkor area, 3 miles north from Beer-Sheva. Cities Lehavim and Rahat are seen on the horizon. The Middle East, January 27, 2001
Ancient remains of Har Rahama Site on the crest of Yeroham ridge. The Middle East, March 8, 2001
View of area of ancient copper mines from Timna Stage in Timna Park at early morning around 6:40. 13 miles north from Eilat, the Middle East, June 13, 2002
Remains of ancient Nabataean city Mamshit in Negev Desert near Dimona, view o dams. The Middle East, December 23, 2000
Remains of ancient Nabataean city Mamshit in Negev Desert near Dimona, view of the Mamshit stream. The Middle East, December 23, 2000
Ruins of an ancient Crusader s fortress destroying by the sea at Mediterranean beach in southern Ashkelon. The Middle East, September 19, 2001
The tower of Lukovka of the ancient fortress Izborsk. Russia, August 8, 2004
Decayed granite pillars from an ancient Crusader s fortress at Mediterranean beach in southern Ashkelon. The Middle East, September 19, 2001
Ancient pottery on a hill in Purple Island (Jazirat Bin Ghanim). Al Khor, Qatar, March 7, 2015
Ancient donkey path from Safed to the mills of Nahal Ammud along Nahal Sekhvee River. The Middle East, April 19, 2001
An ancient burial cave of Silwan (Shiloah) village from Derekh Ha Ofel Road. Jerusalem, the Middle East, October 31, 2002
Ancient ruins washed out by the sea in Ashkelon. The Middle East, October 5, 2002
A person with a machine gun with a group of schoolchildren in an ancient synagogue at Masada. The Middle East, December 7, 2000
Unexplored ancient city known only by Bedouins on a hill south from Givot Lahav South Reserve, in Mount Karkor area, 3 miles north from Beer-Sheva. The Middle East, January 27, 2001
Ruins of cisterns (?) of an ancient Crusader s fortress destroying by the sea at Mediterranean beach in southern Ashkelon. The Middle East, September 19, 2001
Replica of an ancient sculpture in basement in Hermitage Museum. Petersburg, Russia, September 3, 2013
Ancient trail along Nahal Sekhvee River near Safed. The Middle East, April 19, 2001
Ancient trail along Nahal Sekhvee River near Safed. The Middle East, April 19, 2001
Ancient terracotta figures of Herakles(?) in Hermitage Museum. Saint Petersburg, Russia, July 1, 2010
Line of beachrock stones remained from ancient ingenious intertidal stone fish trap at low tide in Purple Island (Jazirat Bin Ghanim). Al Khor, Qatar, March 4, 2011
Ancient pottery on the sea bank at Ashkelon beach. The Middle East, June 2, 2000
Ancient columbarium caves (?) in an abandoned Arab village of Bet Atab, 4 miles east from Beit Shemesh. The Middle East, July 5, 2001
Head of an ancient mummy in Hermitage Museum. Saint Petersburg, Russia, July 1, 2010
Remains of ancient Nabataean city Mamshit in Negev Desert near Dimona, an area that is not yet excavated. The Middle East, December 23, 2000
Ancient remains of Har Rahama Site on the crest of Yeroham ridge. The Middle East, March 8, 2001
Wall decoration in Gallery of Ancient Painting in Hermitage Museum. Saint Petersburg, Russia, February 7, 2018
Remnants of ancient ingenious intertidal stone fish traps (rows of beachrock stone arranged in walls in semi-circular patterns) at low tide in Al Aaliya Island (Jazirat al Aliyah). Qatar, March 27, 2013
Replica of an ancient statue in a basement of Hermitage Museum. Saint Petersburg, Russia, June 17, 2014
Sculpture of three women in ancient Egypt section of Hermitage Museum. Saint Petersburg, Russia, November 16, 2016
Geologist Jacques LeBlanc at the foot of ancient lithified dune of red sand guiding a fossil tour for Qatar Natural History Group (QNHG) in area of Jebel Al-Nakhsh in south-western Qatar, February 7, 2014
Ancient pottery on a hill in Purple Island (Jazirat Bin Ghanim). Al Khor, Qatar, February 14, 2015
Ancient stone ruins in Purple Island (Jazirat Bin Ghanim). Al Khor, Qatar, March 7, 2015
Ancient ruins on Purple Island (Jazirat Bin Ghanim). Al Khor, Qatar, March 7, 2015
Remains of ancient settlement on Purple Island (Jazirat Bin Ghanim). Al Khor, Qatar, August 1, 2015
Northern tip of Purple Island (Jazirat Bin Ghanim) and ancient fish traps at low tide. Al Khor, Qatar, April 2, 2016
A mummy in ancient Egypt section of Hermitage Museum. Saint Petersburg, Russia, November 16, 2016
Ancient houses from Kohtuotsa viewing point at Kohtu 12 in Tallinn old town. Estonia, August 14, 2024
Pyramid Pavilion, located in a quiet, shady corner of Catherine Park in Tsarskoe Selo (Pushkin). It was originally built in 1770-1772 by the architect Vasily Neyelov and later reconstructed by Charles Cameron in 1782-1783. The pavilion was designed to resemble an ancient Egyptian mausoleum, reflecting the Romantic era s fascination with antiquity and melancholy ruins. It is constructed of brick and faced with trimmed granite. Buried behind the pyramid are three of the Empress s favorite Italian greyhounds: Tom Anderson, Zemira, and Duchesse. Saint Petersburg, Russia, October 10, 2025
Ramp Alley (Rampovaya Alleya) whic is a historic avenue in Catherine Park, known for its grand canopy of ancient trees and its connection to imperial history. Pushkin (former Tsarskoe Selo) near Saint Petersburg, Russia, October 10, 2025
Devil s Bridge (Chertov Most), also known as the Cascade, located near the Upper Ponds in Catherine Park. It is constructed from rough-hewn limestone and granite blocks (tufa) to resemble a natural rock formation or an ancient grotto. The "bridge" actually functions as a decorative cascade or dam between the ponds. Pushkin (former Tsarskoe Selo) near Saint Petersburg, Russia, October 10, 2025
Kitchen Ruin (Kukhnya-Ruina) which is one of the most historically fascinating and visually authentic follies in Catherine Park. Built between 1785 and 1786, it was designed by the Italian architect Giacomo Quarenghi. It was constructed specifically to serve as a "service pavilion" (a kitchen) for the nearby Concert Hall. Quarenghi incorporated authentic ancient Roman fragments into its brick walls. These include broken columns, capitals, cornices, and friezes with carved garlands, which were brought to Russia from Italy. The headless statue in the niche is a prominent feature, emphasizing the theme of lost time and the decay of empires. Pushkin (former Tsarskoe Selo) near Saint Petersburg, Russia, October 10, 2025
Ancient oak tree trunk. Many oaks in the park are over 200 years old, some dating back to the park s initial landscaping in the 18th and 19th centuries. The gnarled, textured bark and massive girth signify its age and resilience. Northern part of Aleksandrovsky (Alexander) Park in Pushkin (former Tsarskoe Selo) near Saint Petersburg, Russia, October 10, 2025
Ancient oak trunk in Alexander Park showcases the sculptural quality of the park s veteran trees. The trunk features a massive, gnarled root flare and deep, craggy bark fissures, indicators of its significant age (likely over 200 years). These "veteran trees" are living monuments from the imperial era. Northern part of Aleksandrovsky (Alexander) Park in Pushkin (former Tsarskoe Selo) near Saint Petersburg, Russia, October 10, 2025
Ancient linden alley near the Feodorovsky Gorodok (Fyodorovsky Town) which is a remnant of the park s imperial landscape design. The gnarled, dark trunks of the linden trees (Tilia) create a solemn, cathedral-like atmosphere. Pushkin (former Tsarskoe Selo) near Saint Petersburg, Russia, October 10, 2025
A bronze copy of the famous ancient Greek group "Laocoo"n and His Sons" near the Chinese Palace. The dynamic composition depicts the Trojan priest Laocoo"n and his two sons in their agonizing death struggle against sea serpents sent by the gods (usually attributed to Athena or Poseidon) as punishment for warning the Trojans about the wooden horse. Oranienbaum palace-and-park ensemble in Lomonosov (a suburb of St. Petersburg), Russia, October 13, 2025
Rustic, three-arched stone bridge (often referred to as the Ruin Bridge or simply the stone arch bridge) in the "Russian Switzerland" area in Oranienbaum s Upper Park. Built from rough-hewn boulders to mimic a natural or ancient ruin, it harmonizes perfectly with the wild, rugged aesthetic of the Karasta River valley. The bridge spans a small ravine or tributary, surrounded by a golden forest of birch and maple trees that soften the stone s heavy appearance with delicate autumn foliage. Oranienbaum palace-and-park ensemble in Lomonosov (a suburb of St. Petersburg), Russia, October 13, 2025
An ancient stone staircase crossing the Kristatelka River which is a charming remnant of the park s 19th-century romantic landscape design. Sergievka Park, Old Peterhof, west from Saint Petersburg, Russia, October 13, 2025
Rustic stone arch bridge, nestled deep within the Sergievka Park ravine. Built from rough-hewn granite blocks, the bridge was designed to look ancient and weather-beaten even when new, fitting the 19th-century romantic preference for melding architecture with wild nature. The bridge spans a small cascade of the Kristatelka River, where water tumbles over mossy stone steps, creating a soothing auditory backdrop to the visual serenity. The scene is framed by golden maples and fallen leaves that carpet the banks and settle into the stream s rocky bed, enhancing the secluded, fairy-tale atmosphere. Sergievka Park, Old Peterhof, west from Saint Petersburg, Russia, October 13, 2025
Apollo Colonnade in Pavlovsk Park. Originally built by Charles Cameron in 1783, this was a complete double ring of limestone columns surrounding the Apollo Belvedere statue. However, in 1817, a violent thunderstorm struck the colonnade, collapsing part of the structure. The owners decided not to repair it, realizing that the "broken" form created a much more poetic, ancient feel that perfectly suited the Romantic era s obsession with decay and nature reclaiming art. Pavlovsk, a suburb of Saint Petersburg, Russia, October 15, 2025
Masters Courtyard (Meistrite Hoov), located at Vene 6. The courtyard is a dedicated space for master artisans and craftsmen. It houses various workshops and boutiques selling handmade jewelry, ceramics, textiles, and woodcrafts. The mission of the non-profit organization that manages it is to preserve and revive ancient handicraft traditions. The property has a rich history dating back to 1371. Over the centuries, the buildings surrounding the yard have served many purposes and undergone various reconstructions, but the area retains its historic architectural character. Tallinn, Estonia, October 16, 2025
Vana turg (Old Market) square, a historic intersection where several streets meet. The white building on the right with the prominent hoist beam and red sack is the Peppersack restaurant (Vana turg 6). It is a well-known medieval-themed venue located in a 14th-century merchant s house. The large, pinkish building on the left (at the corner of Suur-Karja and Kuninga) is the Bishop s House (Piiskopi maja). It stands on the site of the medieval residence of the bishops of Tallinn. The current facade is later, but the core of the building is ancient, and it has historically housed the Consistory of the Estonian Evangelical Lutheran Church. Just out of frame or partially visible (depending on the exact angle, as it is adjacent to Peppersack), this area is also home to Olde Hansa, another famous medieval restaurant housed in a historic warehouse. Tallinn, Estonia, October 16, 2025
