Saint Petersburg
St. Petersburg is regarded as one of the most beautiful cities in the world, as well as Russia's modern and cultural capital. Hundreds of people from all over the world come here to see the great architectural monuments, wander the streets, and experience its history.
St. Petersburg is Russia's second largest city. Peter the Great established it as a "window to Europe" in 1703. The city was developed on swampy territory near the Neva River's mouth. Here, notable European and Russian architects worked. The new capital quickly blossomed in richness and beauty. From 1712 to 1918, the city served as Russia's capital.
St. Petersburg is become an industrial, cultural, and scientific hub. There are about 80 museums and theaters, as well as several exhibitions, universities, colleges, and parks.
St. Petersburg is Russia's most European city, with buildings reminiscent of beautiful ancient churches, Lutheran, Catholic, and Russian churches, medieval castles, and Venetian palaces; this is a city that has absorbed the best of international architecture. Buildings of various types can be found here, including humble Petrovsky and sumptuous Elizabethan Baroque; rigid classicism and humorous eclecticism; modern and nondescript constructivism; the Stalinist Empire and modern high-tech.
Thousands of Russian and foreign visitors visit the world-famous palaces and gardens in St. Petersburg's suburbs each year, including Peterhof (Petrodvorets), Tsarskoye Selo (Pushkin), Pavlovsk, Gatchina, and other suburban mansions.
