What's more iconic than the ornate exteriors of Russian churches?

These spires are part of the Church of the Spilt Blood, which is Russian Orthodox..

The interior is just as magnificent, with a soaring ceiling.

The crosses above designate the chapel that's part of Petrahof, the summer palace of Peter the Great.

The ballroom is extremely gilded, with windows on one wall and mirrors on the other.

Petrahof is very famous for its fountains, which are gravity fed.

Once part of the winter palace, The Hermitage now houses more art than the Louvre. And the architecture is absolutely spectacular!

The sculpture hall of The Hermitage.

Of course, there was a little souvenir shopping, too.