A change from the noise and bustle of St. Petersburg…a trip along the coast and through the forests of the Gulf of Finland…a real breath of fresh air….
You can understand why the Russia nobility and now the nouveau rich have there summer houses or Dachas and to-day great mansions…it is a peaceful and beautiful region..
But our objective for the days was to Zelenogorsk where the Cathedral of the Icon of Our Lady of Kazan. By Russian church standards it is not the old being built in 1915 but has still had to endure several wars and of course the Revolution. So it is a minor miracle that it is still intact.
The characteristic domes are the first signs that you are approaching the Cathedral…
Then you you get your first full view of the building and appreciate it true size…
But as with all Russian Cathedral and Churches (no matter the sect) it is the interior that is so special and Kazan will not disappoint….
But time outside is also well rewarded with lovely views of Kazan in its woodland setting….
Our next stop was to pay our respects to the the famous Russian artist Ilya Repin…his influence and legacy has demanded that the town in which he lived for most of his life was renamed Repin.
The forests, its wildlife and the coastline inspire his work. For most of his life he lived in the Dachas…a wood typical wood construction hidden in a woodland glade….
Inspiration was all about and his studio was well placed for Repin to work surrounded as if deep in the woods….
His wish was that when he died he be buried within his garden estate, on a small hill and that an Oak tree be planted to mark the spot…his wishes were fulfilled…..
A slow drive back along the granite bolder lined Gulf ended a welcome quiet day on this trip…
Tomorrow it is back to St. Petersburg and all its hustle and bustle and another helping of old Russia…..
25th July
© David Oakes 2013
DAVID OAKES - IMAGES. 