The large building in this photo is St. Petersburg's largest department store--Gostiny Dvor. This popular two-story shopping center covers a whole city block. Gostiny Dvor was built between 1761 and 1785 and was one of the world's first shopping malls. Originally the store consisted of over 175 separate shops, but today it is just one large store.
Alla pointed our many fascinating sights such as this one that we would have missed just driving by on a bus. It was truly a memorable day in St. Petersburg and at Catherine's Palace for my mother and I.
St. Petersburg Photo Gallery -- 69 more photos of St. Petersburg
Peterhof Photo Gallery -- Peter the Great's Exquisite Summer Palace
