A view of the city - WITHOUT climbing stairs

How does that happen you may ask?  It happens when you climb the spiral ramp of the Round Tower that winds 7 1/2 times in a circle to take you to the top of what was once an astronomical observatory. It gives a great view of the city today.  Apparently Peter the Great rode his horse up this ramp, and his wife Catherine followed him in her carriage!  I would NOT have wanted to ride down the ramp in a carriage (the grade is 10% on the outer edge and 33% on the inner edge).

Our group on the ramp going up to the top.

The center is hollow and has a class floor where you can look all the way down.  You can see my foot on the edge of the picture.

View of the Marble churches dome.

View off Rosenslot (castle)