A grander city you couldn't hope to see - fine buildings as far as the eye can see. From our wanderings and boat trips, we've only spotted about four buildings in the whole of the inner city which look out of place - presumably post WWII additions (from the train the suburbs looked jammed full of more typical communist residential architecture). The scale really is breathtaking.
It appears that the separation between church and state may not have been such a big deal in days gone by up here. Churches seem to commemorate czars as much as any religious figures and some of the architecture comes over as more imperial than spiritual. This may have something to do with how Russia decided to adopt the Orthodox branch of Christianity. I'm told the czar sent out a band of men to check out the world's religions and recommend one for Russia. The Orthodox form was adopted because of the beauty of the buildings and tangible presence of God. However, it seems to have become very much a state religion.
It appears that the separation between church and state may not have been such a big deal in days gone by up here. Churches seem to commemorate czars as much as any religious figures and some of the architecture comes over as more imperial than spiritual. This may have something to do with how Russia decided to adopt the Orthodox branch of Christianity. I'm told the czar sent out a band of men to check out the world's religions and recommend one for Russia. The Orthodox form was adopted because of the beauty of the buildings and tangible presence of God. However, it seems to have become very much a state religion.
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