The very first photo is from The Church of the Savior on Blood. - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Church_of_the_Savior_on_Blood.jpg

Spectacular photo of the church's interior.

St. Petersburg is one of the most beautiful cities in the world. It is often referred to as the Venice of the North or the Paris of the East, but its beauty is really a brand all its own. From the White Nights festival during the mysterious summer twilight to top theater and ballet productions and concerts on magical winter evenings, the city offers a vibrant cultural life that is second to none

http://www.saint-petersburg.com/history/

thanks for the link merrie - a lot of good information!