A Word a Week Challenge: Decadent

06Sep
by Oh, the Places We See

When I saw that the topic for Sue Llewellyn’s A Word a Week Challenge was the word Decadent, I couldn’t help but take a break from posting about China to switch over to Russia.  One of the most decadent places we visited on our Viking River Cruise: Waterways of the Tsars from Moscow to St. Petersburg was the Catherine Palace at the Tsarskoye Selo State Museum-Preserve.

As we moved from room to room with a crowd of (just like us) tourists leaning, peering, and picture-snapping, we couldn’t help but marvel at the acquisitions and ornamentation that made each room more spectacular than the last.  With clean white walls and gold trim, the mirrored room held us captive.  But subsequent rooms showed off statuary, table settings, and period pieces the likes of which we had never seen before.  Here’s just a small sample.

The opulent exterior of Catherine Palace near St. Petersburg.

The decadent exterior of Catherine Palace near St. Petersburg.

Note the statues of Atlas holding up the world at each section of this exterior wall.

Note the statues of Atlas holding up the world at each section of this exterior wall.

One of the white-walled rooms adorned with gold. Fireplaces made with Delft tiles stood sentinel-like in corners and on prominent walls.

One of the white-walled rooms adorned with gold. Fireplaces made with Delft tiles stood sentinel-like in various rooms — sometimes in corners or centered like this one. Opulence was under foot, too, in the form of exquisite parquet floors.

Just one of many artifacts of opulent clothing on display.

Just one of many artifacts of decadent clothing on display.

Even the artwork featured people in exquisite attire.

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14 thoughts on “A Word a Week Challenge: Decadent”

  1. Sartenada

    I guess that the cruise must have been great. We love to cruise and make them every now and them. Last year we made a cruise from our home town to Rock Paintings on the lake.

    Reply

    1. Rusha Sams

      Thanks. We were not expecting to see such extravagance in Russia. But there are fabulous collections there in the museums, palaces, and cathedrals. An amazing place!

      Reply

  5. gallivance.net

    Wow Rusha, what a place – truly the definition of Bling! And the Delft tile covered fireplace is spectacular. I’ve never seen anything like it. Did you enjoy your trip to Russia and would you recommend it? I’ve read that the visa process is tricky. ~Terri

    Reply

    1. Rusha Sams

      For us, getting a visa was no trouble at all. We also had to have one to enter China. You send your passport and money and wait. It comes in the mail.
      Thanks for noticing the fireplaces in Catherine Palace as something outstanding! They were. But then, the whole place was amazing. We were not expecting such opulence in Russia. But if you visit St. Petersburg, you’ll see many over-the-top palaces, shopping areas, and cathedrals.

      Reply

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