St. Petersburg History

Founded in 1703 by energetic and ambitious Peter the Great, St Petersburg was meant to be the first Russian stronghold on the Baltic Sea. Constant flooding and unstable marshy soil made construction difficult and cost thousands of lives. St Petersburg was the first Russian city built according to a plan. By 1712 Peter moved imperial court from archaic Moscow to a growing and progressive city. Fashion and the latest discoveries, skillful craftsmen and scholars were brought from Europe to create a civilized and progressive court.

Stone mansions and academies, fine palaces and elaborate canal system were erected in the 18th century. Opulent Winter Palace and Smolny Cathedral were designed in rich Russian baroque style. Catherine the Great proved to be an enlightened ruler encouraging a flowering of arts and science. She founded many academic institutions, started impressive Hermitage collections and added Neo-Classical palaces to the city's landscape.

The 19th century brought political rebellions, reforms and industrialization. St Petersburg finally received its famous permanent stone bridges. Nevsky Prospekt became the business and pleasure heart of the city,  the place to see and be seen. The city was home to many famous cultural figures, such as Gogol, Tchaikovsky, Dostoevsky and Malevich.

St Petersburg was the cradle of events that forever changed Russia: the end of the monarchy, Bolsheviks uprising and Russian Revolution of 1917, when the Red soldiers stormed the Winter Palace and brought the Communists to power. During the Civil War of 1918-1920 capital of Russia was moved to Moscow. But St Petersburg (then Leningrad) was yet to go through the horrible times of Stalin political purges and the 900-day siege by Germans in 1941-1944. Between one and two million people died in Leningrad from air strikes, starvation and freezing cold during the siege.

St Petersburg today is home to over 4.5 million people and a major Russian city. Although it still struggles with social problems, the economic and political reforms of the 90s created new freedoms and business opportunities. Blessed with rich architectural and cultural heritage, St Petersburg once again buzzes with energy and attracts young talents and tourists.