St. Petersburg, the very name brings to mind some of Russia's greastest poets, writers and composers: Pushkin, Dostoevsky, Tchaikovsky. The 19th century was a golden age for St. Petersburg's wealthy classes. It was a world of ballets and balls, of art and literature, of tea and caviar.
圣彼得堡，只要提到这个名字就让人想起那些俄国最伟大的诗人、作家以及作曲家：普希金、杜斯妥也夫斯基、柴可夫斯基。19世纪对圣彼得堡的富有阶级来说是段黄金岁月。那是一个充满了芭蕾舞和舞会、艺术和文学、茶和鱼子酱的世界。
You can stll find some of the city's grand past now. Stand at the western tip of Vasilievsky Island. To the right is the elegant Winter Palace, former home of the czars. Its light blue sides and white classical columns make it perhaps St. Petersburg's most graceful building.
现在你还是可以找到一些这个城市辉煌的过去。站在维丝利瓦斯基岛的西端，右边是优雅的冬宫，是沙皇从前的住处。它那浅蓝色的外墙和白色古典的圆柱，使它成为大概是圣彼得堡中最优雅的建筑物。
It houses one of the worlds most famous art museums: the Hermitage. Inside, 20km of galleries house thousands of works of art. Look over your right shoulder. The massive golden dome of St. Isaac's Cathedral rises above the skyline. You'll see, too, why St. Petersburg is called a "floating city." Standing there, nearly surrounded by water, yoou can see four of the city's 42 islands.
它里面有世界上最有名的艺术博物馆：赫米提巨博物馆。在里面，长达20公里的艺廊收藏了数千件的艺术作品。朝你右肩后方看去，圣以撒大教堂巨大的金制圆顶伸入了天空。你也会了解，为什么圣彼得堡又被称为“漂浮的城市”。站在那里，几乎完全被水环绕，你可以看见这城市42个岛屿中的四个。
Cross the bridge and turn behind the Winter Palace. In the middle of the huge Palace Suqare stands the Alexander Couumn. It commemorates Russia's victory over Napoleon. The 650-ton granite column is not attached to the base in any way. Its own weight keeps it upright. Hoisted into place in 1832, it has stood there ever since.
过了桥转到冬宫的后面，巨大的冬宫广场中间竖立着亚历山大圆柱。它是为了纪念俄国和拿破仑交战的胜利。这个六百五十吨的花岗石圆柱底部并未以任何方式固定，底部也无任何支撑。自1832年被竖立起来之后，便一直站立在那里。
Contunue to Nevsky Prospekt, the heart of the old city. Let the crowds hurry by while you take your time. Admire the fine carving on bridges and columns, above doorways and windows. Cross over canals and pass by smaller palaces and other classical structures. Let your eyes drink in the light blues, greens, yellows and pinks.
继续走到纳瓦斯基街，这个老城市的中心。在你悠闲地漫步的时候，让人群从你身旁匆匆走过。欣赏那些在桥上和圆柱上、门口以及窗户上面的精致雕刻。穿过运河并经过较小的皇宫以及其他的古典建筑物，让你的眼睛饱享淡蓝、青绿、黄色和粉红色。
Take time to wander among Kazan Cathedral's semi circle of enormous brown columns. Or, if you prefer Russian-style architecture, cross the street and follow the canal a short distance. The Church of the Resurrection occupies the site where Czar Alexander 11 was assassinated in 1881.
花些时间漫步于喀山大教堂里巨大的棕色圆柱所围成的半圆形。或者，如果你喜欢俄国样式的建筑，穿过马路并随着运河走一段短距离的路。复活教会正好位于沙皇亚历山大二世在1881年被暗杀的地方。 |