Central landing of Main Staircase of Catherine Palace in Pushkin (Tsarskoe Selo), suburb of Saint Petersburg. Russia, December 17, 2005
Pier of Central (Konstantin) Rozovopavilionny Pond in Pavlovsk Park. Pavlovsk, a suburb of Saint Petersburg, Russia, September 26, 2016
Caryatids of the building of 4th Central Research Institute of the Russian Ministry of Defense on Fontanka Embankment. Saint Petersburg, Russia, June 10, 2014
Central altar of Church of Savior on Blood. Saint Petersburg, Russia, February 2, 2013
Central part of orange poppy in Botanic Gardens of Komarov Botanical Institute. Saint Petersburg, Russia, June 23, 2009
Island of Princess (Kniagini) Liven in northern part of Central (Konstantinovsky) Rozovopavilionny Pond in Pavlovsk Park. Pavlovsk, a suburb of Saint Petersburg, Russia, October 14, 2016
Sculpture damaged by war on the building of 4th Central Research Institute of the Russian Ministry of Defense on Fontanka Embankment. Saint Petersburg, Russia, June 10, 2014
A central street Sovetsky Prospekt in Kronstadt, a corner of 14 - 15 Komsomola Street. Saint Petersburg, Russia, July 19, 2004
Central part of red poppy flower in Botanic Gardens of Komarov Botanical Institute. Saint Petersburg, Russia, June 24, 2010
Overgrown central alley on Elagin Island. Saint Petersburg, Russia, September 23, 2013
Vault over a central altar of Church of Savior on Blood. Saint Petersburg, Russia, February 2, 2013
Nevskiy Prospect, a central street in Sankt Petersburg, view to the east from Anichkov Bridge. Russia, September 29, 2000
Pond in Sosnovka Park, with Central Institute of Robotics and Technical Cybernetics (TsNII RTK) in background. Saint Petersburg. Russia, September 9, 2007
Decaying plaster on a building of 4th Central Research Institute of the Russian Ministry of Defense facing Fontanka River opposite to Summer Garden. Saint Petersburg, Russia, April 13, 1999.
Group of brown brittlestem mushrooms Psathyrella cernua (Homophron cernuum)(?) on the central alley in Park of Polytechnic Institute. Saint Petersburg, Russia, September 19, 2017
Island of Princess (Kniagini) Liven of Central (Konstantinovsky) Rozovopavilionny Pond in Pavlovsk Park. Pavlovsk, a suburb of Saint Petersburg, Russia, October 14, 2016
Northern part of Central (Konstantinovsky) Rozovopavilionny Pond in Pavlovsk Park. Pavlovsk, a suburb of Saint Petersburg, Russia, October 14, 2016
Central part of a blue iris flower in Botanic Gardens of Komarov Botanical Institute. Saint Petersburg, Russia, June 23, 2009
Central statue of Apollo, a Greek and Roman god on Twelve Paths (Dvenadtsat Dorozhek) in Old Sylvia in Pavlovsk Park, south from Saint Petersburg, Russia, June 23, 2010
Decoration over a window of the building of 4th Central Research Institute of the Russian Ministry of Defense on Fontanka Embankment. Saint Petersburg, Russia, June 10, 2014
Central Caucasus Mountains in Georgia. View from a window of a plane from Abu Dhabi to Saint Petersburg in Russia, December 26, 2014
Decorations of the building of 4th Central Research Institute of the Russian Ministry of Defense on Fontanka Embankment. Saint Petersburg, Russia, June 10, 2014
Birch alley in central part of Sosnovka Park. Saint Petersburg. Russia, September 9, 2007
A church on central square that was built to replace V. I. Lenin monument, view from a window of a bus. Pushkin, a suburb of Saint Petersburg, Russia, February 5, 2013
Central alley in Alexandria Park in Peterhof, west from Saint Petersburg. Russia, May 22, 2015
Central post office at Sovetskaya Square in Kemerovo. Siberia, Russia, September 14, 2002
Central (Konstantinovsky) Rozovopavilionny Pond in Pavlovsk Park. Pavlovsk, a suburb of Saint Petersburg, Russia, October 14, 2016
Island of Princess (Kniagini) Liven and Central (Konstantinovsky) Rozovopavilionny Pond in Pavlovsk Park. Pavlovsk, a suburb of Saint Petersburg, Russia, October 14, 2016
Cluster of brown brittlestem mushrooms Psathyrella cernua (Homophron cernuum)(?) on the central alley in Park of Polytechnic Institute. Saint Petersburg, Russia, September 19, 2017
Central part of bright red flower of cinquefoil (Potentilla x hybrida, Russian name Lapchatka) in Botanic Gardens of Komarov Botanical Institute. Saint Petersburg, Russia, June 23, 2009
Central square in Beriozovsk-2(?) in Siberia, near Kemerovo. Russia, September 15, 2002
Central city square with V. I. Lenin monument of a small mining city Beriozovsk-II(?) near Kemerovo in Siberia. Russia, September 15, 2002
Monument of Russian revolutioner V. I. Lenin on central city square. Vyborg, Russia, August 12, 2012
Central alley in Letny Sad (Summer Garden). Saint Petersburg, Russia, October 21, 2016
V. I. Lenin monument in a central square of Beriozovsk, a small mining city near Kemerovo in Siberia. Russia, September 15, 2002
Reflection of Saint Catherine Roman Catholic Church on a car on Nevsky Prospect, a central street of Saint Petersburg, Russia, September 4, 2002
Central part of gates of Petrovsky Dock. Kronstadt, part of Saint Petersburg, Russia, August 28, 2013
Central area of daisy flower east from Kuzmolovo, 7 miles north from Saint Petersburg. Russia, June 22, 2011
Central part of coneflower (Echinacea) in Botanic Gardens of Komarov Botanical Institute. Saint Petersburg, Russia, July 22, 2015
Central alley in mist in Sosnovka Park. Saint Petersburg, Russia, August 21, 2016
Central (Konstantinovsky) Rozovopavilionny Pond from 11-th Parade Alley in Pavlovsk Park. Pavlovsk, a suburb of Saint Petersburg, Russia, October 14, 2016
View of Central (Konstantinovsky) Rozovopavilionny Pond in Pavlovsk Park. Pavlovsk, a suburb of Saint Petersburg, Russia, October 14, 2016
Central (Konstantin) Rozovopavilionny Pond near 11-th Parade Alley in Pavlovsk Park. Pavlovsk, suburb of Saint Petersburg, Russia, November 1, 2016
Thin ice on Central (Konstantin) Rozovopavilionny Pond near 11-th Parade Alley in Pavlovsk Park. Pavlovsk, suburb of Saint Petersburg, Russia, November 1, 2016
Central stairs of Chesmensky Dvorets (Chesma Palace) on Gastello Street. Saint Petersburg, Russia, March 11, 2017
Central (Konstantin) Rozovopavilionny Pond from 12-th Parade Alley in Pavlovsk Park. Pavlovsk, suburb of Saint Petersburg, Russia, June 6, 2017
Brittlestem mushrooms Psathyrella cernua (Homophron cernuum)(?) near a birch tree on the central alley in Park of Polytechnic Institute. Saint Petersburg, Russia, September 19, 2017
Central (Konstantin) Rozovopavilionny Pond in Pavlovsk Park. Pavlovsk, a suburb of Saint Petersburg, Russia, September 26, 2016
Central (Konstantin) Rozovopavilionny Pond from 12-th Parade Alley in Pavlovsk Park. Pavlovsk, a suburb of Saint Petersburg, Russia, September 26, 2016
Princess (Kniagini) Liven Island of Central (Konstantin) Rozovopavilionny Pond from 12-th Parade Alley in Pavlovsk Park. Pavlovsk, a suburb of Saint Petersburg, Russia, September 26, 2016
View of Central (Konstantin) Rozovopavilionny Pond from 12-th Parade Alley in Pavlovsk Park. Pavlovsk, a suburb of Saint Petersburg, Russia, September 26, 2016
North corner of Central (Konstantin) Rozovopavilionny Pond in Pavlovsk Park. Pavlovsk, a suburb of Saint Petersburg, Russia, September 26, 2016
Central Alley in Alexander Park. Pushkin (former Tsarskoe Selo), south from Saint Petersburg, Russia, October 6, 2017
Central (Constantin) Rozovopavilionny Pond in Pavlovsk Park. Pavlovsk, a suburb of Saint Petersburg, Russia, May 12, 2021
Central (Constantin) Rozovopavilionny Pond from 11-th Parade Alley in Pavlovsk Park. Pavlovsk, a suburb of Saint Petersburg, Russia, May 12, 2021
Central Road on New Sylvia near Ruin Bridge in Pavlovsk Park. Pavlovsk, suburb of Saint Petersburg, Russia, July 31, 2024
Central lane paved by cobblestone in Smolenskoe Lutheran Cemetery on Dekabristov Island. Saint Petersburg, Russia, August 12, 2024
A detail from "The Last Day of Pompeii" by Karl Brullov (1833) showing the central tragedy of the painting in Russian Museum. Saint Petersburg, Russia, September 24, 2025
Canopy of English oaks (Quercus robur) of Alley of the Green Woman (Alleya Zelionoy Zhenshchiny), one of the twelve paths radiating from the central "Music Salon" (Round Hall) in the Big Star (Bolshaya Zvezda) district of Pavlovsk Park. Pavlovsk, a suburb of Saint Petersburg, Russia, October 6, 2025
Round Pond (Krugly prud), a central feature of the landscape compositions in the outlying areas of Pavlovsk Park. Pavlovsk, a suburb of Saint Petersburg, Russia, October 6, 2025
Rebuilding of the Forest Building (Russian: Lesnoy Korpus) in a major reconstruction project at the historic Sestroretsk Resort (Sestroretsky Kurort). The original Sestroretsk Resort was a famous health spa complex founded in 1898 by engineer Peter Avenarius. It featured several grand wooden structures, including a massive Kursaal (concert hall), a mud bath facility, and the Forest Building. The resort was a hub for St. Petersburg s elite and intelligentsia in the early 20th century. The original Forest Building was a beautiful wooden hotel and sanatorium building constructed in the early 1900s. It was a key part of the ensemble but was destroyed during World War II. The new structure faithfully replicates the "Northern Art Nouveau" style of the original resort architecture, characterized by its complex roofline, spires, towers, and wooden detailing that harmonizes with the surrounding pine forest and dunes. The exterior appears nearly complete, showing the elaborate wooden facade, the large central dome, and the corner towers with their needle-like spires. The scaffolding indicates that finishing work is still in progress. Saint Petersburg, Russia, October 9, 2025
Central axis of the "Old Garden" (Regular Park), known as Hermitage Alley (Ermitazhnaya alleya) in Catherine Park. In the 18th century, this alley was the promenade for courtiers moving between the formal receptions at the Palace and the intimate, private parties at the Hermitage. Pushkin (former Tsarskoe Selo) near Saint Petersburg, Russia, October 10, 2025
Upper Bath Pavilion reflected perfectly in the Mirror Pond in Catherine Park. Built in 1777-1779 by the architects Ilya and Vasily Neelov, this pavilion is a fine example of Early Classicism. The building features a modest yet elegant yellow facade with a central arched entrance and circular windows (oculi) adorned with garlands. Pushkin (former Tsarskoe Selo) near Saint Petersburg, Russia, October 10, 2025
Turkish Bath, a picturesque pavilion situated on a small peninsula in the Great Pond in Catherine Park. Commissioned by Emperor Nicholas I, this was the last structure built in the imperial park, completed between 1850 and 1852. It was designed by Ippolito Monighetti, who used the appearance of a Turkish mosque as his inspiration. The building features a central gilded dome, a tall minaret crowned with a crescent, and intricate relief ornaments on the white facade. The pavilion serves as a victory monument to the Russo-Turkish War of 1828-1829. Pushkin (former Tsarskoe Selo) near Saint Petersburg, Russia, October 10, 2025
Looking down the Krestovy Canal from the deck of one of the Small Chinese Bridges. The cast-iron railing belongs to the Small Chinese Bridge, characterized by its geometric lattice and gilded ball details, cast at the Sestroretsk Arms Factory. The structure in the distance is the Krestovy Bridge (Cross Bridge), positioned centrally over the canal axis. This perspective illustrates the linear layout of the "New Garden" section of Alexander Park, visually connecting the two Chinoiserie-style crossings. Aleksandrovsky (Alexander) Park in Pushkin (former Tsarskoe Selo) near Saint Petersburg, Russia, October 10, 2025
The view through the porticoes of one Small Chinese Bridge (often called the Second Small Chinese Bridge) that frames the Cross Bridge in the distance. The twin porticoes, with their "Chinese" peaked roofs and paired columns, create a natural proscenium that directs the eye straight down the canal. The foreground showcases the bridge s vibrant ironwork--geometric lattices and gilded details--contrasting with the brick arch of the Cross Bridge and the soft autumn foliage beyond. This alignment exemplifies the park s deliberate theatricality, using architectural "wings" (the porticoes) to stage the view of the central pavilion. Aleksandrovsky (Alexander) Park in Pushkin (former Tsarskoe Selo) near Saint Petersburg, Russia, October 10, 2025
The central alley leading to the Arsenal Pavilion, a red-brick neo-Gothic structure designed by Adam Menelaws. Completed in 1834, the Arsenal resembles a medieval castle with crenellated towers and massive arched windows. It was originally built to house Nicholas I s vast collection of medieval arms and armor. The straight alley is a remnant of the formal layout from the earlier "Monbijou" pavilion that stood here, now framed by the mature trees of the surrounding landscape park. After severe damage in WWII, the building was restored and reopened in 2016 as a museum displaying imperial weaponry. Aleksandrovsky (Alexander) Park in Pushkin (former Tsarskoe Selo) near Saint Petersburg, Russia, October 10, 2025
Saint Petersburg State Forestry University (often referred to historically as the Forestry Academy or Lesotekhnicheskaya Akademiya). Established in 1803 by decree of Emperor Alexander I as the Practical Forestry School in Tsarskoye Selo. In 1811, it was moved to its current location in the Vyborgsky District of Saint Petersburg, occupying the site of an old English dairy farm. The classical white building shown in the photo is the Main Educational Building. Originally constructed as four separate corps between 1826 and 1833 by architects I.F. Lucchini and A. Nellinger, these were later united into a single complex with a central courtyard in the late 1830s. Lesnoy Park (Lesotekhnicheskiy Universitet), Saint Petersburg, Russia, October 14, 2025
Decorative vase, located in the parterre of the park near the Main Building of the Forestry University, a concrete copy of a 19th-century original. The original vase was created in the 1860s by the famous sculptor David Jensen (1816-1902). The original work was carved from unpolished granite. Today s version is a concrete replica installed in the 1970s. The central motif depicts putti (cherubs), which are playful, chubby male children often found in classical art. The putti appear to be engaged in a playful struggle with a goat, a common allegorical theme in baroque and neoclassical art often representing the abundance of nature or Bacchic festivities. This theme fits well with the park s history as a place of botanical study and appreciation of nature. Lesnoy Park (Lesotekhnicheskiy Universitet), Saint Petersburg, Russia, October 14, 2025
Central plaza of Old Sylvia known as the Twelve Paths. The statue in the center is the Apollo Belvedere, a bronze copy of the famous Vatican original. This figure acts as the "sun" of this layout; he is the leader of the Muses (Apollo Musagetes), orchestrating the ensemble around him. Surrounding Apollo in a perfect circle are bronze statues representing the Nine Muses. Pavlovsk, a suburb of Saint Petersburg, Russia, October 15, 2025
This view of the protest installation outside the Russian Embassy on Pikk Street highlights several direct appeals and condemnations aimed at the Russian government. "STOP KILLING PEOPLE": A large, hand-painted sign on the right bluntly demands an end to the violence. This slogan has become a staple of anti-war protests worldwide. "STOP WAR CRIMINALS": The banner on the bottom left features a missile marked with the Russian flag and the demand to stop "war criminals." This reflects the widespread accusation that Russian leadership is committing war crimes in Ukraine. The large white sheet in the center is covered with drawings of cats in blue and yellow bowties, likely representing innocent lives or perhaps a specific children s art project. The text on the right translates from Estonian: "TO THE VICTIMS OF WARS STARTED BY RUSSIA" (Venemaa poolt alustatud so~dade ohvritele). This frames the current conflict as part of a longer history of Russian aggression. The central drawing includes poignant handwritten messages like "NOBODY LOVES YOU!" and "WE DON T WANT WAR!", expressing a mix of personal disdain for the aggressors and a universal plea for peace. Tallinn, Estonia, October 16, 2025
