"Thanks Ron for the fascinating talks on the cruise. I found the depth of your knowledge and infectious enthusiasm about the history and architecture of the Baltic area, and in particular the wonders which awaited us in St. Petersburg, riveting. 
The talks were a wonderful prelude and enhanced all our visits to the fabulous churches, palaces and art galleries.
I know that Liz and Ken join me in hoping that we will be fortunate to find you as Speaker on any of our future cruises".
Christine Bull
Saga Pearl
Just letting you know how fabulous your talks were, they made the trip to the Baltic. To me that was the best set of talks we have had on any of the P&O cruises we have been on.
Ian  
Oriania
This was a 'theme' cruise, the subject being Art and Architecture - talks by P&O's resident speaker Ron Gatepain were in fact, for me, far better than those by the guest speaker (a TV presenter).
Review by: Holmes, Bransgore on 15th Jul 2008
Artemis
   
Ron - Thanks for the talks on Oriana, which were so brilliantly delivered. Loved your style using photos, information and humour, really enjoyed them - and I learnt something. Best wishes Peter 
 
   The Baltic

 
Talks can be delivered which relate to the following countries: 
​​​​
Denmark, Russia
 
See below for the talks that are available for the above locations.

To learn more about the sites or buildings shown on this page you can visit the Famous Historic Buildings website produced by Ron. This provides an overview of the sites or buildings talked about and contains information about them and includes some of the photographs used by Ron in his talks.

 
Denmark
 


Frederiksborg Castle

Acquired by King Frederick II of Denmark and Norway in 1560 as the Kings Hunting Lodge. In 1599 his son, King Christian IV started to develop it into the largest Renaissance Castle in Scandinavia. Since 1878 it has been used as Denmark’s Museum of National History and contains items tracing the history of Denmark from 1500 to the present day. In this talk, Ron looks at the history connected to the castle and takes a virtual tour of some of the rooms.  LEARN MORE

 


Russia
 
Hermitage
Hermitage - St. Petersburg

In this talk, Ron looks at one of the world’s greatest museums, a collection of buildings started in 1754 by Empress Elizabeth as the Royal residence. The most famous of the ensemble was the Winter Palace, the storming of which led to the fall of the Tsars and the rise of the Soviet Union.  LEARN MORE
Catherine%27s_Palace  
Catherine’s Palace - Near St. Petersburg

Acquired by Peter the Great for his mistress in 1712 the once humble manor grew into one of the finest palaces in the world. Destroyed during World War II it was rebuilt and typifies the opulence that was the Russian Tsars. In this talk, Ron takes a tour of the palace explaining the rooms and the people behind their design and construction.  LEARN MORE

Peter & Paul’s Fortress - St. Petersburg

Built by Peter the Great in the 1700s to defend St Petersburg, it includes St Peter & Paul’s Cathedral the burial place for most of the Tsars. In this talk, Ron takes you on a look around the fortress learning of its history, its beauty and its more sinister side.  LEARN MORE


 


Yusupov or Moika Palace - St. Petersburg

Built in the 1770s on the banks of the River Moika in the heart of St Petersburg, the Palace was acquired by Nickolas Yusupov in 1830 when it became known as the Yusupov Palace. Although the façade with its classical six-column portico is striking it does not indicate the beauty and affluence of the interior. In this talk, Ron looks around the Palace and explains the history of the Yusupovs who could trace their lineage back to Ivan the Great and whose wealth rivalled that of the Tzar. He also explains the events that led up to the murder of Grigori Rasputin by Prince Felix Yusupov which took place in the palace in 1916.  LEARN MORE
 
Peterhof
Peterhof - Near St. Petersburg
The magnificent palace famed for its gardens laid out on the orders of Peter the Great. It contains some of the most beautiful fountains in the world. Destroyed during World War II it is currently being renovated and Ron will take you around the palace and its gardens to see the beauty and to explain its history. LEARN MORE


Cathedrals of St Petersburg


St Petersburg contains many wonderful churches and cathedrals. In this talk, Ron looks at some of the most famous including Saint Isaac's Cathedral, the largest Russian Orthodox cathedral in St Petersburg; the Cathedral of the Resurrection of Christ which is better known as the Church of the Saviour on Spilled Blood or the Church on Spilt Blood; and the Cathedral of Our Lady of Kazan, which houses Russia’s most venerated icon. Ron looks at the cathedrals and their history and takes you around their wonderful interiors.  LEARN MORE

Kremlin - Moscow

Kremlin is the Russian word for "fortress", "citadel", or "castle", the one in Moscow has been the seat of Russian Power since the 15th century and includes Palaces and Cathedrals. In this talk, Ron guides you through the buildings and looks at the people who constructed them and who created the Russian empire.
 
 
 
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