Very often after the lectures I walked about the centre and went to Hermitage, the wonderful museum, known all over the world, where I usually went first of all to see my favorite picture “Danaya” by Rembrandt. After the Rembrandt collection I turned to the neighboring room and watched the pictures of famous Italian artist Titians. I became rather well acquainted with the museum with its labyrinth arrangement. The big windows gave much light in the daytime, the halls and rooms with lots of exquisite tables, arm-chairs, mirrors, clocks made by ancient European masters, all of them guilt with gold - really not only the pictures attracted the viewer’ attention. You could see the wonderful view of the Neva embankment from the windows.
The whole picture of the city centre with Winter Palace (a part of the museum), the wide Neva river, Petropavlovsk fortress, the Admiralty and the statue of the founder of all this beauty, Peter the first (the Horseman of Brass) made the impression of grand and strict beauty.
It is necessary also to mention the suburbs: the Tsar village with Katherine Palace and park and Alexander Park, Petergoff with a great number of fountains and much greater Pavlovsk park with its long alleys and strict planning.
In that special “Socialist Paradise” of Soviet Union most of the population received miserable salary, but the culture was accessible, as the people of art also got the same small sums. We had Kirov Theatre of opera and ballet, the Philharmonic Society, the houses, that left from tsarist time.
I was last time in Leningrad 18 years ago, I hope it is still as attractive as before.
