 Maple alley near a building of the Forestry Academy. Lesnoy Park (Lesotekhnicheskiy Universitet), Saint Petersburg, Russia, October 14, 2025  A building at 5 lit. B Engelsa Prospect which is a surviving historical service corps of the Orlovo-Novosiltsevskaya Almushroomouse complex. This small brick structure was originally built as one of the auxiliary buildings (likely for staff or utility purposes) for the larger almushroomouse institution. The main complex, located at Engelsa 1-5, was a major philanthropic center established in the 1830s. The complex was designed by the renowned architect Iosif Charlemagne (Joseph-Maria Charlemagne-Baudet) in the late Classicist style. It was constructed between 1834 and 1841. Lesnoy Park (Lesotekhnicheskiy Universitet), Saint Petersburg, Russia, October 14, 2025  Main building of Forestry University in Lesnoy Park (Lesotekhnicheskiy Universitet). Saint Petersburg, Russia, July 30, 2017  Maple alley near the Forestry Academy. Lesnoy Park (Lesotekhnicheskiy Universitet), Saint Petersburg, Russia, October 14, 2025  Fall colors of maple alley near the Forestry Academy. 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  A tomb of Egbert Ludwigowitsch Wolf., a distinguished botanist and dendrologist. Egbert Wolf (1860-1931) was a German-born Russian scientist who served as the chief gardener and later a scientific specialist at the Saint Petersburg Forestry Institute. Lesnoy Park (Lesotekhnicheskiy Universitet), Saint Petersburg, Russia, October 14, 2025  Neoclassical apartment building located at 108 Bolshoy Sampsonievsky Prospect (corner of Serdobolskaya Street), viewed across Serdobolsky Pond. The dominant structure is a residential complex known locally as the House of Specialists or sometimes nicknamed the "Bastille near Lanskaya". Designed by architects Viktor F. Belov, V.A. Potapov, and M.P. Savkevich. Built between 1953 and 1956, representing the late Stalinist "Empire" style. It was commissioned by the Klimov Plant (Zavod im. Klimova), a major manufacturer of aviation engines, to house its employees. Lesnoy Park (Lesotekhnicheskiy Universitet), Saint Petersburg, Russia, October 14, 2025  Ornamental vase in front of the main building in Lesnoy Park (Lesotekhnicheskiy Universitet). Saint Petersburg, Russia, July 30, 2017  Colorful autumn scene in the historic Vyborgsky District near the intersection of Novorossiyskaya Street and Engelsa Prospect. The view is taken from Novorossiyskaya Street, looking through a decorative iron fence. Lesnoy Park (Lesotekhnicheskiy Universitet), Saint Petersburg, Russia, October 14, 2025  Monument of heroes of Great October Socialist Revolution. It is a mass grave monument dedicated to Red Guards who died during the 1917 October Revolution and the subsequent Civil War. The site originated in 1917 as a burial ground for workers and Red Guards from the nearby Novy Lessner Plant (now the Karl Marx Machine-Building Plant). These fighters were killed in battles against the troops of General Pyotr Krasnov near Pulkovo during the defense of Petrograd. In 1953, a wooden structure was replaced by the current grey granite obelisk seen today. It was designed by architect Yuri Wiesenthal. This monument is a solemn reminder of the intense revolutionary history of the Vyborg Side, a district historically populated by industrial workers who were pivotal to the Bolshevik cause. Lesnoy Park (Lesotekhnicheskiy Universitet), Saint Petersburg, Russia, October 14, 2025  A path in Lesnoy Park (Lesotekhnicheskiy Universitet), Saint Petersburg, Russia, October 14, 2025  Serdobolsky Pond. Lesnoy Park (Lesotekhnicheskiy Universitet), Saint Petersburg, Russia, October 14, 2025  Maple alley in Lesnoy Park (Lesotekhnicheskiy Universitet), Saint Petersburg, Russia, October 14, 2025  Akademicheskaya Alley in Lesnoy Park (Lesotekhnicheskiy Universitet), Saint Petersburg, Russia, October 14, 2025  Fall colors of Lesnoy Park (Lesotekhnicheskiy Universitet), Saint Petersburg, Russia, October 14, 2025  Institutsky Pereulok in Lesnoy Park (Lesotekhnicheskiy Universitet), Saint Petersburg, Russia, October 14, 2025  Alley near Dendrology Garden. Lesnoy Park (Lesotekhnicheskiy Universitet), Saint Petersburg, Russia, October 14, 2025  Yellow maple trees Lesnoy Park (Lesotekhnicheskiy Universitet), Saint Petersburg, Russia, October 14, 2025  Yellow maple leaves in Lesnoy Park (Lesotekhnicheskiy Universitet), Saint Petersburg, Russia, October 14, 2025  Fallen yellow maple leaves. Lesnoy Park (Lesotekhnicheskiy Universitet), Saint Petersburg, Russia, October 14, 2025  Jordan Pond from Kaygorodova Alley. Lesnoy Park (Lesotekhnicheskiy Universitet), Saint Petersburg, Russia, October 14, 2025  Garden fence near 2 Novorossiyskaya Street. Lesnoy Park (Lesotekhnicheskiy Universitet), Saint Petersburg, Russia, October 14, 2025  Fall colors of Serdobolsky Pond. Lesnoy Park (Lesotekhnicheskiy Universitet), Saint Petersburg, Russia, October 14, 2025  Garden fence near 5 lit. B Engelsa Street. Lesnoy Park (Lesotekhnicheskiy Universitet), Saint Petersburg, Russia, October 14, 2025  Novosiltsevsky Pereulok from 4 Novorossiyskaya Street. Lesnoy Park (Lesotekhnicheskiy Universitet), Saint Petersburg, Russia, October 14, 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  A path covered by yellow maple leaves. Lesnoy Park (Lesotekhnicheskiy Universitet), Saint Petersburg, Russia, October 14, 2025  Garden fence near 5 lit. B Engelsa Street, view from Novorossiyskaya Street. Lesnoy Park (Lesotekhnicheskiy Universitet), Saint Petersburg, Russia, October 14, 2025  Temple of Friendship in Pavlovsk Park. Built by Charles Cameron between 1780 and 1784, it was the very first building constructed in the park. It was officially dedicated to Empress Catherine the Great by her son Paul (the future Emperor) and his wife Maria Feodorovna as a gesture of thanks for gifting them the Pavlovsk lands. However, it was also a politically savvy move to rename it the "Temple of Friendship" to honor the visit of Joseph II, the Holy Roman Emperor, framing it as a symbol of enlightened European alliance. Pavlovsk, a suburb of Saint Petersburg, Russia, October 15, 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  Hall on the Island in Catherine Park, view from Ferry Crossing. It was originally built in the late 1740s by the architect Savva Chevakinsky in the Baroque style, with decorations based on sketches by Rastrelli. In 1794, under Catherine the Great, the architect Giacomo Quarenghi completely rebuilt it in the Classical style. He simplified the decor, giving it the restrained, elegant appearance seen today--white walls, large arched windows, and a modest green roof. 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  Flowerbeds in Lesnoy Park (Lesotekhnicheskiy Universitet). Saint Petersburg, Russia, July 30, 2017  Oak trees in Lesnoy Park (Lesotekhnicheskiy Universitet). Saint Petersburg, Russia, July 30, 2017  Ornamental vase in Lesnoy Park (Lesotekhnicheskiy Universitet). Saint Petersburg, Russia, July 30, 2017  Evening Hall (Vecherniy Zal) in Catherine Park. It was built between 1796 and 1810 under the supervision of architect P.V. Neyelov (and possibly Luigi Rusca). This pavilion was intended for evening gatherings, small concerts, and balls. The building is a simple, rectangular Classical structure with a low dome and large arched windows Pushkin (former Tsarskoe Selo) near Saint Petersburg, Russia, October 10, 2025  A section of Uus Street (New Street), a quieter and historically significant lane on the eastern edge of Tallinn s Old Town. The sign on the right marks the entrance to the Haus Gallery (Uus 17). Founded in 1997, it is one of the oldest and most respected private art galleries in Estonia, known for exhibiting both classic and contemporary Estonian art. The gallery is located in a historic building with a large courtyard often used for events. Just beyond the gallery, the flag hanging from the building (Uus 15) is the tricolor of Lithuania, identifying the Embassy of the Republic of Lithuania. This establishes the street as a diplomatic quarter as well. The image starkly contrasts the well-maintained facades of the embassy and gallery on the right with the heavily graffitied and peeling wall of the yellow building on the left (likely the rear or side of a building facing the parallel Sulevima"gi street). This juxtaposition highlights the ongoing struggle with tagging in less-monitored corners of the Old Town. Uus Street runs parallel to the old city wall (parts of which are visible nearby). Historically, it was developed later than the central merchant streets (hence "New Street"), originally serving as a defensive zone before being built up with residential houses for craftsmen and lesser merchants. Tallinn, Estonia, October 16, 2025  Sculptures in Long Pond of Lesnoy (Lesotekhnicheskiy Universitet) Park. Saint Petersburg, Russia, August 12, 2016  A house at Bolshoy Sampsonievsky Prospect 108 from Lesnoy (Lesotekhnicheskiy Universitet) Park. Saint Petersburg, Russia, August 12, 2016  Dissected young mushroom Buchwaldoboletus lignicola in Lesnoy Park (Lesotekhnicheskiy Universitet). Saint Petersburg, Russia, July 30, 2017  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  The stall labeled "Moskva" that honors a favorite horse of Emperor Nicholas I in Pensioner Stable (Pensionnaya Konyushnya) in Alexander Park, Tsarskoe Selo. This horse, a veteran of military reviews like the one in Elisavetgrad, spent its retirement in the stable built by the Emperor for his own and his predecessor s faithful steeds. The nameplate was reinstated during the 2024-2025 restoration of the pavilion. Saint Petersburg, Russia, September 21, 2025  Gelatinous droplets of a fungus Hypocrea gelatinosa on rotting wood in Lesnoy Park (Lesotekhnicheskiy Universitet). Saint Petersburg, Russia, July 30, 2017  Dyer s mazegill mushrooms (Phaeolus schweinitzii)(?) covered by a golden mold fungus in Lesnoy Park (Lesotekhnicheskiy Universitet). Saint Petersburg, Russia, July 30, 2017  Bolshoy Lamskoy Bridge (Great Lamsky Bridge). It was built in 1820-1822 by the Scottish architect Adam Menelaws, who was instrumental in shaping the park s romantic "English" landscape style. The bridge spans the Lamsky Ponds near the Llama Pavilion, originally serving the utilitarian purpose of connecting the Lamsky stables (which housed exotic llamas from Peru) to the rest of the park. Originally a cast-iron structure, it has been carefully restored to preserve its intricate metal latticework railings, which feature a distinct geometric pattern characteristic of the Russian Empire style. Aleksandrovsky (Alexander) Park in Pushkin (former Tsarskoe Selo) near Saint Petersburg, Russia, October 10, 2025  Fac,ade of Pikk 18, arguably the most famous Art Nouveau building in Tallinn, known as the Dragon Gallery (Draakoni Galerii). Designed by the renowned Baltic German architect Jacques Rosenbaum and completed in 1910, this building is a prime example of late Art Nouveau (Jugendstil) architecture. The two massive, sculpted dragons flanking the ground-floor window are the building s namesake and most iconic feature. They were created by the sculptor August Volz. Above the dragons, the fac,ade features two stern female figures with Egyptian headdresses projecting from the pilasters. These, along with sphinxes and other exotic ornaments on the upper levels, reflect the eclectic and fantastical influences typical of Rosenbaum s style. The large, horseshoe-shaped window on the ground floor and the undulating gable at the top create a sense of movement and fluidity that contrasts sharply with the rigid lines of the adjacent classical and medieval buildings. Originally built as an apartment house for the merchant Reinhold Reichmann, the ground floor has housed the Draakoni Gallery since 1983, an exhibition space managed by the Estonian Artists Association. The green light visible in the window belongs to a fashion boutique or exhibition currently occupying the space. Tallinn, Estonia, October 16, 2025  Young rusty brown mushroom Buchwaldoboletus lignicola on the base of larch, parasitic of Ph. schweinitzii, in Lesnoy Park (Lesotekhnicheskiy Universitet). Saint Petersburg, Russia, July 30, 2017  Big Lamsky Pond (Bolshoy Lamskoy Prud), part of a system of ponds originally dug in the early 19th century to drain the park s marshy terrain. Aleksandrovsky (Alexander) Park in Pushkin (former Tsarskoe Selo) near Saint Petersburg, Russia, October 10, 2025  Memorial Gates "To My Dear Fellow Servants", a historical monument located on the boundary of the Catherine Park in Pushkin (Tsarskoye Selo). Saint Petersburg, Russia, October 10, 2025  Dyer s mazegill mushroom (Phaeolus schweinitzii)(?) at the base of larch covered by a golden mold fungus in Lesnoy Park (Lesotekhnicheskiy Universitet). Saint Petersburg, Russia, July 30, 2017  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  Maples near Kitchen Building in Alexander Park. Pushkin (former Tsarskoe Selo), south from Saint Petersburg, Russia, September 24, 2015  Gelatinous droplets of a fungus Hypocrea gelatinosa together with common glasscup fungus (Orbilia xanthostigma) in Lesnoy Park (Lesotekhnicheskiy Universitet). Saint Petersburg, Russia, July 30, 2017  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  Ruins of barracks of Railroad Corps in Alexander Park in Pushkin, former Tsarskoe Selo, near Saint Petersburg. Russia, September 7, 2017  Building of Academy of Sciences at 5 Universitetskaya Embankment. Saint Petersburg, Russia, December 18, 2016  Kitchen Pond and Kitchen Building in Alexander Park in Pushkin (former Tsarskoe Selo) near Saint Petersburg. Russia, May 18, 2021  "Natural" path of English Landscape Park near Great Pond in Catherine Park. Pushkin (former Tsarskoe Selo) near Saint Petersburg, Russia, October 10, 2025  View of a late-Soviet brick residential quarter (kirpichnaya khrushchevka) deeply integrated with the mature nature of the Vyborgsky district, captured at the beautiful but fleeting peak of autumn. View from this window providing a glimpse into Soviet-era urban planning, specifically the residential design of the 1960s. The beige brick buildings visible in the frame are classic examples of "Khrushchevka" (Series 1-528). Unlike the cheaper concrete panel blocks (panelki), these are constructed from silicate brick, which was considered a "premium" material for mass housing at the time. They are easily identified by their 5-story height, hipped roofs (often replaced with metal sheeting), and specific balcony arrangements. Saint Petersburg, Russia, October 11, 2025  This street scene is located on Pikk Street, just north of the Pikk Jalg gate, looking back towards the city center. The baroque spire visible in the distance belongs to St. Nicholas Church (Niguliste kirik). Originally built in the 13th century and dedicated to the patron saint of merchants and seafarers, it is one of the city s most defining landmarks. The tower now features a glass elevator and viewing platform offering 360-degree views of the Old Town. The building at the corner (implied by the location) is part of the historic Kolmjalg ("Tripod") complex, a notable architectural feature at the junction of Pikk and Voorimehe streets, known for its medieval origins. Estonia, October 16, 2025  A view from a window near Svetlanovsky Prospekt that offers an intimate look into a typical residential courtyard (dvor) of the Vyborgsky District. The beige brick buildings framing the scene are classic examples of brick Khrushchev-era apartments (or early Brezhnev-era), likely built in the 1960s. The 5-story height was standard to avoid the mandatory installation of elevators, which was required for buildings of 6 stories or more. This layout reflects the Soviet microdistrict concept, where residential blocks were arranged around green, communal courtyards to provide light, air, and recreation space away from the main roads. Saint Petersburg, Russia, October 14, 2025  Old monument of Russian communist revolutionary Vladimir Ilyich Ulyanov (Lenin) and educational building at Army Base No. 28287 in Morye, west from Saint Petersburg. Russia, May 13, 2021  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  Estonian Theatre for Young Audiences (formerly known as the NUKU Theatre), located at the corner of Lai 1 and Nunne streets. This corner building is a fine example of early 20th-century architecture (completed in 1907), originally built for the Nobility Club. It blends Neo-Renaissance elements (like the balcony) with Art Nouveau influences (evident in the curved corner and roofline). The warm uplighting emphasizes its elegant proportions and decorative cornice. The building houses Estonia s only professional puppet theatre, founded in 1952, and the Museum of Puppetry Arts. The museum entrance is typically around the corner or through the main glass doors seen here. The theatre complex has expanded over the years to include modern performance halls while retaining its historic fac,ade. The view looks down Nunne Street towards the Toompea hill area. To the right, you can see the edge of the city wall fortifications. The street is paved with traditional cobblestones, and the scene is quiet, likely captured in the late evening or early morning. Tallinn, Estonia, October 16, 2025  Secluded path winding through the English Landscape Park, near the Swan Islands at the southern end of the Great Pond in Catherine Park. Pushkin (former Tsarskoe Selo) near Saint Petersburg, Russia, October 10, 2025  Hydraulic engineering and bank reinforcement works at Upper Ponds in Catherine Park. The piles of large fieldstones (boulders) and gravel, along with the heavy machinery (an excavator is visible in the background), indicate major landscaping and structural repairs. The area near the Upper Ponds has historically required maintenance to its complex system of dams, sluices, and cascades. Pushkin (former Tsarskoe Selo) near Saint Petersburg, Russia, October 10, 2025  Central Alley in Alexander Park. Pushkin (former Tsarskoe Selo), south from Saint Petersburg, Russia, October 6, 2017  A view of Pikk Street (Pikk ta"nav) in Tallinn s Old Town, specifically looking towards the iconic House of the Brotherhood of Blackheads. The yellow building on the right foreground is Pikk 33. It is a historic property, formerly a merchant s house, that has been renovated into apartments and commercial space. In your photo, the ground floor features a shop with a green, white, and red flag display, likely an Italian restaurant or boutique. Further down the street on the right (at Pikk 26, though partially obscured in this angle) is the famous House of the Brotherhood of Blackheads (Mustpeade maja). This building is renowned for its Renaissance fac,ade, the only one of its kind preserved in Tallinn. It historically served as the headquarters for the guild of unmarried merchants and shipowners. Pikk means "Long," and this street is one of the oldest and most significant in the city. In medieval times, it was the main artery connecting the harbor to the Upper Town (Toompea), lined with the homes of wealthy merchants and powerful guild halls. The street showcases a rich mix of architectural styles, including the Gothic gabled houses seen on the left and the later Renaissance and Baroque facades. The building on the left with the stepped gable is a classic example of Hanseatic merchant architecture. Tallinn, Estonia, October 16, 2025  Example of Art Nouveau architecture in Tallinn, located at Pikk 18. It was designed by the renowned Baltic German architect Jacques Rosenbaum and completed in 1910. The design is celebrated for its flamboyant and fantastical style, which stands in stark contrast to the surrounding medieval architecture. The building is often referred to as the Draakoni Gallery (Dragon Gallery) because of the two large, sculpted dragons flanking the main ground-floor window. These sculptures were created by the famous Riga sculptor August Volz. The fac,ade is uniquely decorated with Egyptian-inspired themes, including reliefs of sphinxes and pharaonic figures at the top of the pilasters, adding to its exotic and eclectic appearance. The building features a distinctive curved corner tower with a slender spire, oval windows, and intricate floral ornaments typical of the late Art Nouveau period. Tallinn, Estonia, October 16, 2025  Monument to Alexander Lanskoy (often referred to as the Pamyatnik Lanskomu or simply the marble pedestal/urn), located on the Rose Field (Rozovoe Pole) in Catherine Park. It was erected by Catherine the Great in memory of her young favorite, Alexander Lanskoy, who died suddenly in 1784 at the age of 26. The monument is an example of Neoclassical funerary art, likely designed by Antonio Rinaldi or possibly Giacomo Quarenghi. It features a high pedestal made of grey and pink marble, adorned with bas-reliefs and inscriptions (though these are often weathered). Pushkin (former Tsarskoe Selo) near Saint Petersburg, Russia, October 10, 2025  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  Graceful, humpbacked silhouette of the bridge, designed to arch elegantly over the narrow waterway connecting the ponds. The bridge s single, shallow arch is constructed from dark iron, supported by massive granite abutments on either bank. Delicate lattice pattern of the wrought-iron railing is clearly visible against the backdrop of the forest. Sergievka Park, Old Peterhof, west from Saint Petersburg, Russia, October 13, 2025  Mushrooms Plicaturopsis crispa on a log in Aleksandrovsky (Alexander) Park in Pushkin (former Tsarskoe Selo) near Saint Petersburg, Russia, October 10, 2025  A poetic tribute "Pushkin was here" to the great Russian poet Alexander Pushkin in Catherine Park. The symbols on the bench carry specific meanings related to his time at the Imperial Lyceum (located just nearby), where he studied from 1811 to 1817. The Bicorne Hat (Cocked Hat): This represents the uniform worn by the students of the Imperial Lyceum. The Open Book: A symbol of his literary genius and his constant immersion in reading and writing poetry, often done while wandering this very park. Pushkin (former Tsarskoe Selo) near Saint Petersburg, Russia, October 10, 2025  Caps of mushrooms Plicaturopsis crispa on a log in Aleksandrovsky (Alexander) Park in Pushkin (former Tsarskoe Selo) near Saint Petersburg, Russia, October 10, 2025  Young mushrooms Plicatura nivea on a log in Aleksandrovsky (Alexander) Park in Pushkin (former Tsarskoe Selo) near Saint Petersburg, Russia, October 10, 2025  "Grotto" spring (istochnik) or a ruined water feature near the Old Sylvia district, often referred to as the "Ruined Cascade" or simply a natural spring reinforced with stone in Pavlovsk Park. Pavlovsk, a suburb of Saint Petersburg, Russia, October 6, 2025  White, irregular, lumpy masses of some soft polypore? mushrooms on a lawn in Alexander Park. Pushkin (former Tsarskoe Selo), south from Saint Petersburg, Russia, September 21, 2025  Close-up of corticioid fungus Plicatura nivea on a log in Aleksandrovsky (Alexander) Park in Pushkin (former Tsarskoe Selo) near Saint Petersburg, Russia, October 10, 2025  Fall colors of maples along Krestovy Canal. Aleksandrovsky (Alexander) Park in Pushkin (former Tsarskoe Selo) near Saint Petersburg, Russia, October 10, 2025  Underside of caps of mushrooms Plicaturopsis crispa on a log in Aleksandrovsky (Alexander) Park in Pushkin (former Tsarskoe Selo) near Saint Petersburg, Russia, October 10, 2025  Corticioid mushrooms Plicatura nivea on logs in Aleksandrovsky (Alexander) Park in Pushkin (former Tsarskoe Selo) near Saint Petersburg, Russia, October 10, 2025  Texture of corticioid fungus Plicatura nivea on a log in Aleksandrovsky (Alexander) Park in Pushkin (former Tsarskoe Selo) near Saint Petersburg, Russia, October 10, 2025  Mushrooms Plicaturopsis crispa together with Plicatura nivea on a log in Aleksandrovsky (Alexander) Park in Pushkin (former Tsarskoe Selo) near Saint Petersburg, Russia, October 10, 2025  Corticioid mushrooms Plicatura nivea on a cut surface of a log in Aleksandrovsky (Alexander) Park in Pushkin (former Tsarskoe Selo) near Saint Petersburg, Russia, October 10, 2025  Growth of corticioid fungus Plicatura nivea on a log in Aleksandrovsky (Alexander) Park in Pushkin (former Tsarskoe Selo) near Saint Petersburg, Russia, October 10, 2025  Oak mazegill mushrooms (Daedalea quercina) on a stump in Aleksandrovsky (Alexander) Park. Pushkin (former Tsarskoe Selo) near Saint Petersburg, Russia, October 10, 2025  Art installation titled "Portrait of a One-Year-Old Boy with a Sheep" by the artist Artem Filatov as part of the "Crypto/Farm" exhibition held at the Imperial Farm in the Tsarskoe Selo State Museum-Reserve. Saint Petersburg, Russia, September 21, 2025  Intersection of Pikk Street and Pikk jalg (Long Leg) Street, one of the most historically significant spots in Tallinn, marking the boundary between the Lower Town and the Upper Town (Toompea). The massive white tower on the right is the Long Leg Gate Tower, built in the 14th century (c. 1380). It served as the primary fortified gateway connecting the merchant Lower Town to the aristocratic Upper Town. Historically, this gate was locked at night to separate the two distinct social classes. The street rising steeply through the gate arch is Pikk jalg. Its name distinguishes it from the parallel "Short Leg" (Lu"hike jalg), which is a pedestrian-only staircase.:200b The clock attached to the wall on the far right (though partially cut off) is not the famous Holy Spirit Church clock but a decorative element often associated with the Krause Pharmacy building or nearby shops in this tourist-heavy zone. The pink building on the left corner (housing "Krause" and "Eesti Ka"sito"o"" shops) is a classic example of Old Town architecture, with its chamfered corner entrance and large shop windows. Tallinn, Estonia, October 16, 2025  Corticioid mushrooms Plicatura nivea with a slug on a cut surface of a log in Aleksandrovsky (Alexander) Park in Pushkin (former Tsarskoe Selo) near Saint Petersburg, Russia, October 10, 2025  Round patch of corticioid fungus Plicatura nivea on a log in Aleksandrovsky (Alexander) Park in Pushkin (former Tsarskoe Selo) near Saint Petersburg, Russia, October 10, 2025  Maple alley near Chinese Bridges of Krestovy Canal in Aleksandrovsky (Alexander) Park. Pushkin (former Tsarskoe Selo) near Saint Petersburg, Russia, October 10, 2025  Soft edge of corticioid fungus Plicatura nivea on a log Aleksandrovsky (Alexander) Park in Pushkin (former Tsarskoe Selo) near Saint Petersburg, Russia, October 10, 2025  Debarcader (train shed) of the Vitebsky Railway Station, Russian Art Nouveau (Style Moderne). Massive riveted steel spans were designed by architect Stanislav Brzhozovsky and engineer Sima Minash. It is serving the historic route to Tsarskoye Selo (Pushkin) and Pavlovsk. Saint Petersburg, Russia, October 15, 2025  Close-up of soft edge of corticioid fungus Plicatura nivea on a log in Aleksandrovsky (Alexander) Park in Pushkin (former Tsarskoe Selo) near Saint Petersburg, Russia, October 10, 2025  Large area covered by corticioid fungus Plicatura nivea on a log in Aleksandrovsky (Alexander) Park in Pushkin (former Tsarskoe Selo) near Saint Petersburg, Russia, October 10, 2025  Fall colors at Big Lamsky Pond (Bolshoy Lamskoy Prud). Aleksandrovsky (Alexander) Park in Pushkin (former Tsarskoe Selo) near Saint Petersburg, Russia, October 10, 2025  Forest interior with rich, layered complexity of mixed deciduous plantings. Aleksandrovsky (Alexander) Park in Pushkin (former Tsarskoe Selo) near Saint Petersburg, Russia, October 10, 2025 |
