 Monument of heroes of Great October Socialist Revolution in Alexander Park. Pushkin (former Tsarskoe Selo), south from Saint Petersburg, Russia, September 24, 2015  Monument of glory to fallen heroes fought for Great October Socialist Revolution in Alexander Park in Pushkin (former Tsarskoe Selo) near Saint Petersburg. Russia, May 18, 2021  Memorial of heroes of Great October Socialist Revolution in Lesnoy Park. Saint Petersburg, Russia, October 8, 2016  Memorial of Heroes of Great October Socialist Revolution in Lesnoy Park. Saint Petersburg, Russia, September 22, 2016  A granite monument bearing the poignant epitaph, "My today is a sacrifice for your tomorrow," framing the soldier[CloseCurlyQuote]s death as a redemptive gift to future generations. The grave is flanked by the black and yellow flags of the Motorized Rifle Troops--Russia s primary ground combat formations--distinguished by the Kalashnikov insignia and the motto "Loyalty". In the background, rows of temporary wooden crosses extend into the distance, contrasting the finished memorial with the raw, fresh graves of recent casualties. "Alley of Heroes" at Cemetery of the Victims of January 9, St. Petersburg, Russia, October 4, 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  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  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  Monument of V. I. Lenin, a leader of Bolshevik revolution, at the entrance of Botanic Gardens of Komarov Botanical Institute. Saint Petersburg, Russia, June 24, 2010  Monument of V. I. Lenin, a leader of Russian Bolshevik Revolution, at main entrance of Botanic Gardens of Komarov Botanical Institute. Saint Petersburg, Russia, May 29, 2009  The grave of Alexey Vladimirovich Suslov (1976-2024), a 47-year-old casualty whose age reflects Russia s reliance on older reservists and volunteers rather than just young conscripts. His polished black granite monument features a casual color portrait and the epitaph "We were left without you, You remained with us," asserting a continuing spiritual bond despite death. The background juxtaposes the solemn "Alley of Heroes" with modern commercial buildings, visually grounding the war s toll within the everyday urban landscape of St. Petersburg. Cemetery of the Victims of January 9, St. Petersburg, Russia, October 4, 2025  "Alley of Heroes," a section of the cemetery dedicated to Russian soldiers killed in the war in Ukraine. In the foreground stands a permanent black granite monument featuring a detailed engraving of a soldier in combat gear with the "Z" insignia and a stoic epitaph reading, "Having given everything, I will not rise from the dust... I, having killed the fear within myself, fought". The background reveals rows of additional graves densely adorned with wreaths and flags representing various military branches (including the VDV and Naval Infantry) and private military contractors, illustrating the ongoing scale and diverse composition of the casualties. Cemetery of the Victims of January 9, St. Petersburg, Russia, October 4, 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  Maple alley near a building of the Forestry Academy. Lesnoy Park (Lesotekhnicheskiy Universitet), Saint Petersburg, Russia, October 14, 2025  The "initial stage" of mass burial, depicting a dense field of fresh earthen mounds marked only by temporary wooden crosses and overwhelmed by a sea of Russian tricolors, Soviet red banners, and VDV flags. The ground is raw and uneven, with a single permanent black granite curb visible in the foreground as the only sign of the eventual transition to formal memorialization. In the background, industrial infrastructure frames the scene, emphasizing the integration of this expanding military necropolis into the everyday civilian landscape of St. Petersburg "Alley of Heroes" at Cemetery of the Victims of January 9, St. Petersburg, Russia, October 4, 2025  Museum of S. I. Vavilov State Optical Institute, decorations on the ceiling (the room has reach interior because the building was expropriated from a wealthy family after the Great October Socialist Revolution). Vasilyevsky Island, Saint Petersburg, Russia, April 14, 1999.  Centenary commemoration of Great October Socialist Revolution in the tapestry corridor in Hermitage Museum. Saint Petersburg, Russia, February 7, 2018  Museum of S. I. Vavilov State Optical Institute with an old artistically decorated chimney and a Soviet-era exposition. (the room has reach interior because the building was expropriated from a wealthy family after the Great October Socialist Revolution). Vasilyevsky Island, Saint Petersburg, Russia, April 14, 1999.  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  A path in Lesnoy Park (Lesotekhnicheskiy Universitet), Saint Petersburg, Russia, October 14, 2025  Institutsky Pereulok in Lesnoy Park (Lesotekhnicheskiy Universitet), Saint Petersburg, Russia, October 14, 2025  Serdobolsky Pond. Lesnoy Park (Lesotekhnicheskiy Universitet), Saint Petersburg, Russia, October 14, 2025  Akademicheskaya Alley in Lesnoy Park (Lesotekhnicheskiy Universitet), Saint Petersburg, Russia, October 14, 2025  Maple 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  Yellow maple leaves in Lesnoy Park (Lesotekhnicheskiy Universitet), Saint Petersburg, Russia, October 14, 2025  Yellow maple trees Lesnoy Park (Lesotekhnicheskiy Universitet), Saint Petersburg, Russia, October 14, 2025  Alley near Dendrology Garden. Lesnoy Park (Lesotekhnicheskiy Universitet), Saint Petersburg, Russia, October 14, 2025  Museum of S. I. Vavilov State Optical Institute with an old artistically decorated chimney and a Soviet-era exposition. The museum was settled in a former typewriting office (the room has reach interior because the building was expropriated from a wealthy family after the Great October Socialist Revolution). Vasilyevsky Island, Saint Petersburg, Russia, April 14, 1999.  Novosiltsevsky Pereulok from 4 Novorossiyskaya Street. 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 5 lit. B Engelsa Street. 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  Fallen yellow maple leaves. 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  Maple alley near the Forestry Academy. Lesnoy Park (Lesotekhnicheskiy Universitet), Saint Petersburg, Russia, October 14, 2025  The expanding scale of the "Alley of Heroes," with construction machinery visible in the left background clearing land for new burial plots, confirming the site s active status. The foreground displays a dense cluster of polished granite monuments flanked by diverse military insignia, including the St. Andrew[CloseCurlyQuote]s flag of the Navy and a unit banner for a Motorized Rifle formation, reflecting the hybrid force structure composed of regular troops, mobilized personnel, and specialized units. Cemetery of the Victims of January 9, St. Petersburg, Russia, October 4, 2025  Ural jewels, a gift for a museum at 10-th anniversary of Great October Socialist Revolution, in one of Kremlin Churches. Moscow, Russia, July 3, 2011  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 path covered by yellow maple leaves. 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  Religious and symbolic narrative of sacrifice, featuring a granite monument with an elaborate engraving of a soldier ascending a staircase toward a welcoming Christ-like figure and a birch tree, blending Christian theology with Russian nationalism. The epitaph laments, "You loved life... But the thread was cut too soon," emphasizing personal loss alongside martial duty. In the background, a chaotic array of VDV (Airborne Forces) and Russian flags flies over rows of fresh, temporary graves, contrasting the permanent serenity of the foreground monument with the raw immediacy of ongoing casualties. "Alley of Heroes" at Cemetery of the Victims of January 9, St. Petersburg, Russia, October 4, 2025  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  Garden fence near 5 lit. B Engelsa Street, view from Novorossiyskaya Street. Lesnoy Park (Lesotekhnicheskiy Universitet), Saint Petersburg, Russia, October 14, 2025  Old Passenger Terminal of Tallinn Airport. Built between 1945 and 1954 (opened in 1955), this building is a classic example of Stalinist architecture. Its symmetrical facade, rusticated ground floor, and the distinctive control tower with a viewing gallery reflect the monumental style favored in the Soviet Union during that period. An earlier Art Deco/Functionalist terminal was designed in 1938 by the architect Arthur Ju"rvetson, but construction was halted by World War II. The post-war redesign incorporated the Soviet aesthetic. This building served as the main passenger terminal until 1980, when a new, larger terminal (the current one) was built for the Moscow Olympics sailing regatta held in Tallinn. Today, this historic building has been repurposed for VIP services and administrative offices. It stands separately from the modern glass-and-steel terminal but remains an integral part of the airport s history, visible to passengers taxiing on the runway. View from a window of an airplane from Tallinn to Helsinki. Estonia, October 17, 2025  Blending of religious and patriotic symbolism in the "Alley of Heroes". The foreground monument features a poignant epitaph addressing the deceased ("And you stand before our eyes, Alive... We keep you in our hearts") alongside an elaborate engraving of a soldier ascending a staircase toward a Christ-like figure, framing death as a spiritual journey. In the background, a distinctive broken-heart monument depicts a split image of a bridge at night surrounded by flags from various military branches, including the VDV and Russian Naval Infantry. Cemetery of the Victims of January 9, St. Petersburg, Russia, October 4, 2025  Monument of a Russian revolutioner V. I. Lenin (a leader of Bolshevic Revolution) at the entrance of Botanic Gardens of Komarov Botanical Institute. Saint Petersburg, Russia, August 30, 2013  Monument of a communist revolutioner V. I. Lenin (a leader of Bolshevic Revolution) in snow in Botanic Gardens of Komarov Botanical Institute. Saint Petersburg, Russia, November 4, 2016  A cluster of fresh graves from the summer of 2025, including that of Igor Vadimovich Lebedev (1969-2025), a 56-year-old casualty. The scene is densely packed with temporary wooden crosses, massive wreaths in the Russian tricolor, and various unit flags--including the VDV (Airborne Forces) and Motorized Rifle Troops--while a lone mourner in the background tends to a plot, emphasizing the personal grief amidst the mass scale of death. "Alley of Heroes" at Cemetery of the Victims of January 9, St. Petersburg, Russia, October 4, 2025  Monument of Russian communist revolutionary Vladimir Ilyich Ulyanov (Lenin) in Tarkhovka, west from Saint Petersburg. Russia, October 2, 2017  The permanent monument of Denis Alekseevich Mikhailov (1983-2024), a 40-year-old soldier whose polished black granite headstone displays a detailed engraving of him in full combat gear, holding a rifle and wearing a parachute badge, alongside a real blue beret left as a personal tribute. The grave is flanked by the blue and yellow flag of the VDV (Airborne Forces) with the motto "Nobody, but us," underscoring his elite unit affiliation, while surrounding graves show a mix of portrait styles and military banners, reflecting the individualized yet collective nature of the memorialization. "Alley of Heroes" at Cemetery of the Victims of January 9, St. Petersburg, Russia, October 4, 2025  Monument of Russian communist revolutionary Vladimir Ilyich Ulyanov (Lenin) in Botanic Gardens of Komarov Botanical Institute. Saint Petersburg, Russia, October 26, 2016  The diverse visual languages of mourning in the "Alley of Heroes," contrasting a solemn monochrome engraving of a soldier in full combat gear--distinguished by the Order of Courage medal--with the vibrant, smiling color portrait of Yuri Bogdanov on the adjacent grave. The background is saturated with a chaotic array of flags, including the black-yellow-white Russian Imperial tricolor and red Soviet banners, visually capturing the "hybrid" ideological landscape, where conflicting historical symbols are merged to support the war effort. Cemetery of the Victims of January 9, St. Petersburg, Russia, October 4, 2025  Close-up of white Calocybe-like mushrooms under silvery fir trees behind Lenin s monument in Peter the Great Botanical Garden of Komarov Botanical Institute. Saint Petersburg, Russia, October 8, 2025  View of Pikk Street (Pikk ta"nav), one of the most architecturally diverse streets in Tallinn s Old Town. The spectacular grey Art Nouveau building on the right (with the corner turret) is a masterpiece designed by architect Jacques Rosenbaum in 1910. It is famous for its fantastical facade featuring two large dragons and Egyptian-inspired motifs. Today, the ground floor houses the Draakoni Gallery. On the left side of the street (the red and grey facade), one can see the St. Canute s Guild Hall (Kanuti Gildi Saal). Originally built in the 13th century and remodeled in the 19th century with Tudor-style windows and statues of St. Canute and Martin Luther on the facade. It now serves as a contemporary performing arts center. The yellow building on the immediate right foreground is Pikk 22, which houses the Estonian Handicraft House (Eesti Ka"sito"o" Maja). This shop is a go-to place for authentic Estonian folk art and crafts. Tallinn, Estonia, October 16, 2025  White Calocybe-like mushrooms under silvery fir trees behind Lenin s monument (spore size 5.9 - 7.3 x 3.7 - 4.4) in Peter the Great Botanical Garden of Komarov Botanical Institute. Saint Petersburg, Russia, October 8, 2025  Fall colors around a monument of Russian communist revolutionary Vladimir Ilyich Ulyanov (Lenin) in Botanic Gardens of Komarov Botanical Institute. Saint Petersburg, Russia, October 26, 2016  One of the Small Chinese Bridges (Small Iron Bridges) crossing the Krestovy Canal. Originally wooden (1781), they were replaced with cast iron versions forged at the Sestroretsk Arms Factory in 1786. Designed by Charles Cameron, who also planned the nearby Chinese Village. The bridge features intricate iron lattice railings and is framed by distinctive porticoes formed of paired columns with "Chinese-style" curved sheet-iron roofs. The columns are painted to mimic colored marble, and the structure was fully restored in the 21st century. Aleksandrovsky (Alexander) Park in Pushkin (former Tsarskoe Selo) near Saint Petersburg, Russia, October 10, 2025  Swida bush in front of a monument of Russian communist revolutionary Vladimir Ilyich Ulyanov (Lenin) in Botanic Gardens of Komarov Botanical Institute. Saint Petersburg, Russia, October 26, 2016  Spores of Calocybe-like mushrooms collected earlier 10/8/2025 under silvery fir trees behind Lenin s monument in Botanical Garden, Saint Petersburg, Russia, October 19, 2025  The "initial stage" of memorialization, where fresh earthen graves are crowded with temporary wooden crosses and a profusion of military banners, including the VDV (Airborne Forces) and St. Andrew[CloseCurlyQuote]s Naval flags. The foreground features the grave of Mikhail Ilyich Svyatkin (1986-2025), a 39-year-old casualty, whose cross is adorned with a framed photo of him in uniform, exemplifying the typical profile of recent losses. The scene is saturated with patriotic symbols, including a flag depicting a tank with the slogan "Victory will be ours" and another with the Order of the Great Patriotic War, linking the current conflict to historical narratives of Soviet heroism. "Alley of Heroes" at Cemetery of the Victims of January 9, St. Petersburg, Russia, October 4, 2025  Revealing the multinational and irregular composition of the Russian forces, featuring the flag of Uzbekistan prominently displayed alongside the black "Assault Troops" banner and the Russian tricolor. In the foreground, the grave of Aleksandr Borisovich Vasiliev (1973-2025), a 52-year-old soldier, is marked by a framed photograph of him in combat gear standing in a field, humanizing the older demographic of recent casualties. The scene captures the raw, crowded nature of the "initial stage" of burial, with fresh earthen mounds and a chaotic mix of personal and military symbols extending into the background. "Alley of Heroes" at Cemetery of the Victims of January 9, St. Petersburg, Russia, October 4, 2025  The grave of Mikhail Ilyich Svyatkin (1986-2025), a 39-year-old soldier whose death in May 2025 aligns with the surge in casualties during the spring and summer of that year. His wooden cross bears a framed photo of him in combat gear holding a rifle, surrounded by wreaths inscribed "From Mother," highlighting the personal grief embedded in the mass loss. The background is crowded with similar fresh graves, flags, and flowers, reinforcing the density and continuity of the burials at this active military cemetery. "Alley of Heroes" at Cemetery of the Victims of January 9, St. Petersburg, Russia, October 4, 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  Italian Pergola located in the Private Garden (Sobstvenny Sadik) of Catherine Park. The pergola is spectacularly draped in wild grapes (likely Parthenocissus quinquefolia or Virginia Creeper). In October, these vines turn a brilliant crimson and burgundy, creating a stunning contrast with the golden yellow leaves of the nearby trees and the cool grey stone of the columns and the obelisk. Pushkin (former Tsarskoe Selo) near Saint Petersburg, Russia, October 10, 2025  So~prus Cinema (Kino So~prus). The building is a striking example of Stalinist Empire style (Socialist Classicism) architecture, completed in 1955. Its grand fac,ade features a curved colonnade of octagonal columns and decorative reliefs symbolizing various arts and industries. Originally designed by architect Friedrich Wendach, the project was completed by Peeter Tarvas and August Volberg after Wendach was repressed by Soviet authorities. The name "So~prus" means "friendship" in Estonian. Some sources suggest it was named to mark improved relations between the Soviet Union and China at the time. In the 1990s, financial difficulties led to the closure of one hall, which was converted into a nightclub and casino. Today, the building houses both the cinema and the popular Club Hollywood. Tallinn, Estonia, October 16, 2025  Old monument of Russian communist revolutionary Vladimir Ilyich Ulyanov (Lenin) in front of Stuff Building at Military Base No. 28287 in Morye, west from Saint Petersburg. Russia, May 13, 2021  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  Main building of Forestry University in Lesnoy Park (Lesotekhnicheskiy Universitet). Saint Petersburg, Russia, July 30, 2017  Stained glass with monument of Peter the Great in Museum of Political History (Kshesinskaya Mansion). Saint Petersburg, Russia, June 24, 2011  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  Va"ike-Karja Street (Va"ike-Karja ta"nav), likely taken near its intersection with Suur-Karja Street. The building on the right with the large grey stone archway and iron gates corresponds to Va"ike-Karja 1 (also known as the Saarinen House), a prominent Art Nouveau building designed by Finnish architect Eliel Saarinen. The street features a mix of architectural styles. The grey stone building on the right is a notable example of early 20th-century national romanticism. Further down the street, you can see pastel-colored facades typical of Tallinn s Old Town. Tallinn, Estonia, October 16, 2025  Northern end of Vene Street (Vene ta"nav) at the intersection with Olevima"gi and Bremeni ka"ik. The red brick building on the immediate left is located at Vene 28. It is a historic structure that was originally built in 1912 as a residential building and briefly housed the Estonian Provisional Government in 1918. It stands out with its industrial-style red brick facade contrasting with the medieval stone walls nearby. The large limestone wall with the archway on the far left is part of the city s defensive fortifications, specifically near the Bremen Tower (Bremeni torn). The archway leads into Bremen Passage (Bremeni ka"ik), a short, atmospheric walkway that connects Vene Street to Uus Street through the city wall. The tower itself, a 15th-century horseshoe-shaped defensive structure, is located just behind this wall. In the background, at the end of the street, you can see the yellow tower and facade of the Orthodox Church of St. Nicholas (Nikolai kirik) at Vene 24. Designed by architect Luigi Rusca and built between 1820-1827, this Neoclassical church serves a congregation under the Moscow Patriarchate and is known for its valuable iconostasis. It sits on the site of a much older church that served Novgorod merchants in the Middle Ages. Tallinn, Estonia, October 16, 2025  Ornamental vase in front of the main building in Lesnoy Park (Lesotekhnicheskiy Universitet). Saint Petersburg, Russia, July 30, 2017  Old monument of Russian communist revolutionary Vladimir Ilyich Ulyanov (Lenin) in Peter the Great Botanical Garden of Komarov Botanical Institute. Saint Petersburg, Russia, May 26, 2021  A monument to a Soviet academician S. I. Vavilov (a brother of a well-known biologist executed for political reasons) in front of a new building of S. I. Vavilov State Optical Institute. The monument faces barbed wire surrounding the institute at Vasilyevsky Island. Saint Petersburg, Russia, April 14, 1999.  One of the two towers forming the Red (Turkish) Cascade (Krasnyy/Turetskiy Kaskad) in Catherine Park. It serves as both a decorative dam and a symbolic monument. 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. Built in the 1770s, likely designed by the architect Vasily Neyelov or possibly Antonio Rinaldi, this structure is a classic example of the romantic "ruin" aesthetic popular in 18th-century landscape gardening. 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  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  The dense visual cacophony of the cemetery s "temporary" section, where rows of wooden crosses are submerged in a sea of Russian tricolors and military intelligence (GRU/Spetsnaz) flags bearing the bat insignia. In the foreground, the grave of Kirill Arkadyevich Sharkov (1975-2025), a 49-year-old casualty, is marked by a simple cross and a photo of him in uniform, surrounded by wreaths in patriotic red, white, and blue colors. The scene conveys the sheer volume of recent losses, with flags fluttering chaotically over uneven mounds of earth, while a tractor in the far left background hints at the ongoing expansion of the burial grounds. "Alley of Heroes" at Cemetery of the Victims of January 9, St. Petersburg, Russia, October 4, 2025  Memorial of children of Bolshevik Revolution on Pionerskaya Street in Petrogradskaya Storona neighborhood. Saint Petersburg, Russia, August 9, 2012  This view from the tower of St. Nicholas Church offers a fascinating contrast between medieval history, post-war reconstruction, and modern urban growth, looking east towards the city center. The most prominent building in the immediate foreground is the large, grey, L-shaped structure known as the Writers House (Kirjanike Maja) on Harju Street. Built in 1963 on the ruins of buildings destroyed during the 1944 Soviet bombing of Tallinn, this modernist structure is a significant cultural landmark. It houses the Estonian Writers Union, a well-known bookstore, and the famous Cafe Pegasus, serving as a hub for the country s literary scene. The street running along the left side of the Writers House is Harju Street, historically one of the city s main commercial arteries. The open green space visible nearby (part of the Harju Street green area) was also created following the wartime destruction, serving as a memorial and recreational space before partial reconstruction debates in recent years. In the background, the view opens up to Tallinn s modern business district. The cluster of high-rise glass buildings, including the distinct wedge-shaped Swisso^tel and the SEB Bank headquarters, illustrates the city s rapid economic development and stands in stark contrast to the red-tiled roofs of the Old Town below. Estonia, October 16, 2025  Monument of Russian communist revolutionary Vladimir Ilyich Ulyanov (Lenin) in Vilpovitsy Village near Orzhitdy. Lomonosov Region of Leningrad District, Russia, January 4, 2016  A statue of a Russion emperor that recently replaced V. I. Lenin monument in Vitebsky Vokzal train station. Saint Petersburg, Russia, January 1, 2006  Monument of inventor of radio A. S. Popov in Kronstadt. Saint Petersburg, Russia, October 29, 2016  Monument of F. F. Bellinsgauzen on Sovetskaya Street in Kronstadt. Saint Petersburg, Russia, October 29, 2016  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  The dense, chaotic stage of recent burial in the "Alley of Heroes," where fresh earthen graves are overwhelmed by a profusion of flags, including the Russian tricolor, the blue flag of the Aerospace Forces (VKS), and banners of various volunteer and assault units. The foreground shows a simple wooden cross with a framed photo of a young soldier, surrounded by vibrant wreaths of artificial flowers, while in the background, a woman walks amongst the rows, emphasizing the cemetery s role as an active site of public mourning. The sheer number of flags and the raw state of the ground visually confirm a continuous, high-volume flow of casualties processed at this site. Cemetery of the Victims of January 9, St. Petersburg, Russia, October 4, 2025  Tourists visiting a monument of Russian communist revolutionary Vladimir Ilyich Ulyanov (Lenin) in Vilpovitsy Village near Orzhitdy. Lomonosov Region of Leningrad District, Russia, January 4, 2016  Hermitage Pavilion in Catherine Park, designed by the Italian court architect Francesco Bartolomeo Rastrelli in Elizabethan Baroque style. Pushkin (former Tsarskoe Selo) near Saint Petersburg, Russia, October 10, 2025  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  Totalitarianism monument in Levashovskaya Pustosh Memorial Cemetery. Levashovo near Saint Petersburg, Russia, October 30, 2016  Tomb of a professor Georg Hermann Carl Wiedemann (1917-1866) in Smolenskoe Lutheran Cemetery on Dekabristov Island. Saint Petersburg, Russia, October 28, 2016  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  "Section 69 A" marker within the "temporary" burial sector, where fresh earthen mounds stretch toward a forested perimeter, contrasting the ordered numbering system with the raw immediacy of mass death. A solitary mourner in a green coat stands quietly by a cross, tending to flowers amidst a sea of Russian tricolors and unit flags, including the blue and yellow banner of the Aerospace Forces, adding a human scale to the vast, impersonal landscape of casualties. The scene highlights the rapid expansion of the cemetery, with the dense rows of wooden crosses indicating the continuous flow of new burials. "Alley of Heroes" at Cemetery of the Victims of January 9, St. Petersburg, Russia, October 4, 2025  Monument of Russian fabulist Ivan Krylov in Letny Sad (Summer Garden). Saint Petersburg, Russia, October 21, 2016  This panoramic view from the tower of St. Nicholas Church looks south-west towards Toompea Hill, capturing the dense layering of Tallinn s medieval and religious history. The striking structure with black onion domes is the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, an Orthodox cathedral built in 1900 in the Russian Revival style. Its imposing presence on Toompea Hill contrasts sharply with the surrounding red-tiled roofs, symbolizing the complex history of the Russian era in Estonia. In the foreground and middle distance, you can see key parts of the city s defensive network: The square tower with the tall red roof in the foreground is the Maiden Tower, a 14th-century defensive structure that now houses a cafe. Just behind and slightly to the left of the Maiden Tower (partially obscured) is the massive Kiek in de Ko"k artillery tower, whose Low German name ("Peep into the Kitchen") referred to the guards ability to see into nearby homes. Connective sections of the medieval city wall run between these towers, marking the boundary between the lower town and the upper citadel. The green space visible near the base of the wall is the Danish King s Garden (Taani kuninga aed). According to legend, this is where the Danish flag (Dannebrog) fell from the sky during a battle in 1219, turning the tide in favor of the Danes. The garden sits on the slope directly facing St. Nicholas Church. Estonia, October 16, 2025  Pikk Street (Pikk ta"nav) in Tallinn s Old Town, specifically showing the facades of two notable Art Nouveau buildings at numbers 18 and 16. The building on the right with the dramatic facade featuring dragon sculptures is the famous "Dragon Gallery" (Draakoni galerii). Designed by architect Jacques Rosenbaum and completed in 1910, it is a masterpiece of Art Nouveau architecture. The facade is adorned with fantastical elements, including two large dragons flanking the ground-floor window, Egyptian women, and sphinxes. It currently houses an art gallery managed by the Estonian Artists Association. The building directly next to it on the left (the narrower one with large windows) is Pikk 16. It currently houses the BonVerre shop, visible through the ground-floor window, which specializes in beverages and gourmet products. Further down the street on the left (the grey building with the green flag) is the Kanuti Gildi Saal (St. Canute s Guild Hall), a historic building that now serves as a contemporary performing arts center. Tallinn, Estonia, October 16, 2025 |
