Day 26 March 10th 2017 Kazan to St Petersburg
After a final forgettable breakfast we decided to hot foot it back to the Kremlin to visit the Tatarstan Museum before our train departure. On the way we went via the Apostle of Peter and Paul Cathedral. One of my (Mel’s) special dubious map reading navigations that got us there in the end with doubtful moments along the way particularly as the cathedral becomes hidden by the buildings around it.
The church was typically Orthodox with the colourful “onion” domes but the outside was unusual in that it was highly decorated. Normally most have very plain exteriors and simple colours, except for the domes. Inside was all gold and icons with each floor having individual chapels. On the ground floor the main chapel had an iconostasis on the end wall that consisted of dark wood framed icons all the way up to the dome.
Once we arrived at the Kremlin we visited the Annunciation Cathedral which had been closed when we tried to enter last night. Typically impressive with its decoration and icons but I (Chris) thought not as inspirational as the Peter and Paul seen earlier.
We had hoped to visit the museum in the Kremlin about Tatar life and politics and had read it opened at 10am – perfect. We got there and found chair barring the entrance. We watched and two groups of people also tried to enter – once they were all inside we decided to follow. There we found the chair moved aside and everyone milling at the entrance – including the staff! It was then we were told “11”. Not enough time for us so off we went.
As we walked back we discovered the The National Museum of the Republic of Tatarstan was right on our path so decided a quick look would be interesting (and out of the winter weather). The exhibits were interesting but our understanding was inhibited by most of the descriptions being in Russian. See Trip Advisor. A man in uniform was strongly (we think) encouraging us to view the Great Patriotic War exhibition.
For Mel the highlights were – the carriage of Catherine the Great was to me such a reminder of the opulence and beauty of the period. So beautiful yet so decadent. Also seeming decadent were the artifacts from church – a bible encrusted with semi-precious and precious stones. By contrast a series of stark black and white video clips of young men at war. Very personal short clips that made it all the more graphic and moving.
Then back to the hotel, picked up by Ildus and on to our last overnight train. This time we had booked a Kupe – a four person berth so consequently we got four sets of meal packs, eating accessories as well as four sets of bedding. We left at around 1pm and our meal was delivered soon after – well actually 4 meals were delivered all the same all less than appetising.
On to St Petersburg through beautiful snow covered forests.
