It's not hard to find reminders of past empires scattered throughout the countryside and along waterways outside of St. Petersburg. The big imperial palaces, like Pushkin and Peterof are meticulously maintained. There are others that are older and more utilitarian, small cobbled fortresses dating back to the Middle Ages and earlier. Many, such as this one Lana is posing next to, have long been forgotten by most and fallen into ruin. All make for great locations while photographing the ever beautiful girls of Russia.