Fountain Snop (sheaf in Russian) in Monplezir Pavilion in Peterhof, a former Tsar residence, now a suburb of Saint Petersburg. Russia, July 2, 2003
Tombs of Russian tsars in Archangel Cathedral of Kremlin. Moscow, Russia, July 3, 2011
Graves of Russian tsars in Peter and Paul Cathedral. Saint Petersburg, Russia, July 1, 2003
Sculpture of Russian Tsar Catherine the Great in Russian Museum. Saint Petersburg, Russia, February 4, 2013
Horse Pension and horse cemetery (under restoration) in Alexandrovskiy Park of Pushkin (former Tsarskoe Selo, residence of Russian tsars). Near Sankt Petersburg, Russia, October 22, 2000
Chinese Theatre, destroyed during the war, in Alexandrovskiy Park of Pushkin (former Tsarskoe Selo, residence of Russian tsars). Near Sankt Petersburg, Russia, October 22, 2000
Orthodox Fiodorovskiy Cathedral in Pushkin (former Tsarskoe Selo, residence of Russian tsars). Near Sankt Petersburg, Russia, October 22, 2000
Grand staircase and monument of Russian Tsar Nikolay I (that recently replaced V. I. Lenin) in Vitebsky Vokzal (train station). Saint Petersburg. Russia, July 10, 2010
Ruin Tower in Alexandrovskiy Park of Pushkin (former Tsarskoe Selo, residence of Russian tsars). Near Sankt Petersburg, Russia, October 22, 2000
Wax replica of a head of Russian tsar Peter the Great by B. K. Rastrelli in Hermitage Museum. Saint Petersburg, Russia, July 1, 2010
Presidential Palace (1845), a former residence of a Russian Tsar. Helsinki, Finland, July 18, 2015
Sculpture of Russian Tsar Catherine the Great in Russian Museum. Saint Petersburg, Russia, February 9, 2018
A canal in Alexandrovskiy Park of Pushkin (former Tsarskoe Selo, residence of Russian tsars). Near Sankt Petersburg, Russia, October 22, 2000
Orthodox Fiodorovskiy Monastery in Pushkin (former Tsarskoe Selo, residence of Russian tsars). Near Sankt Petersburg, Russia, October 22, 2000
Wax replica of a head of Russian tsar Peter the Great by B. K. Rastrelli in Hermitage Museum. Saint Petersburg, Russia, May 17, 2011
Overgrown cemetery of horses of Russian Tsars in Aleksandrovsky Park. Pushkin (former Tsarskoe Selo), south from Saint Petersburg, Russia, May 30, 2011
A likeness of tsar Alexander III at the entrance of Russian Museum. Saint Petersburg, Russia, December 28, 2005
Head of Russian Tsar Peter the Great at entrance of Russian Museum. Saint Petersburg, Russia, February 4, 2013
Head sculpture of Tsar Peter the Great at upper staircase landing in Russian Museum. Saint Petersburg, Russia, February 4, 2013
Head of Tsar Peter the Great in Russian Museum. Saint Petersburg, Russia, February 4, 2013
Sculpture of a Russian Tsar Peter the Great at the entrance of a neglected museum in Peter the Great Botanical Garden of Komarov Botanical Institute. Saint Petersburg, Russia, May 7, 2019
Church of the Tikhvin Icon of the Mother of God near the train station in Sestroretsk. The huge icon of Jesus and the rocket models is part of a distinct chapel and memorial complex dedicated to the Royal Martyrs (Tsar Nicholas II and his family) and the spiritual protection of Russia. The "Face" Facade: The large face is a giant icon of the Savior Not Made by Hands (Spas Nerukotvorny). Below it, the red banner reads "Holy Royal Martyrs, Pray to God for Us", referring to the canonized Romanov family. Community: This church is known for its "Cossack" guard and a very distinct, staunchly monarchist and patriotic atmosphere that differs from typical Russian Orthodox parishes. Saint Petersburg. Russia, October 9, 2025
Church of the Tikhvin Icon of the Mother of God near the train station in Sestroretsk. The huge icon of Jesus and the rocket models is part of a distinct chapel and memorial complex dedicated to the Royal Martyrs (Tsar Nicholas II and his family) and the spiritual protection of Russia. The Rockets: The models of space rockets (one clearly marked "VOSTOK") are part of a unique, patriotic, and somewhat eclectic display. The local spiritual community, led by Father Gavriil (Gabriel), is known for combining intense Orthodox devotion with Soviet/Russian patriotic symbols, viewing the country s history (including the space age) through a spiritual lens. This particular "installation" links the idea of "spiritual ascent" with the physical ascent of space exploration, a quirky but sincere local expression of faith. The "Clock Tower": The transparent model tower with clocks is a stylized representation of the Spasskaya Tower of the Moscow Kremlin. The Kremlin is often associated with state power, and its inclusion here reinforces the church s focus on the spiritual destiny of the Russian state. This is one of the most idiosyncratic religious sites in the St. Petersburg region--a place where Tsarist martyrdom, Orthodox mysticism, and Soviet space achievements are all visually blended together. Russia, October 9, 2025
