Millennium Dragon: St Petersburg

St Petersburg Coat of Arms: Crossed river and sea anchors, the Romanov Crown, sceptres with Double Eagles.

At the End of the Gulf - St Petersburg, almost 60 degrees north

Peter the Great

Peter the Great needed access to the Sea. His only sea port was archangel, in the Arctic Ocean, which was frozen over most of the year.

He was not successful to reach his goal and reach the Black Sea, at least initially. Circumstances made him concentrate on the Baltic Sea. He built a large navy, and went to war with Sweden who held the most strategic locations on the Baltic shores.

On May 12, 1703, during the Great Northern War, Peter the Great captured Nyenskans, and soon replaced its fortress. On May 27, 1703, closer to the estuary 5 km (3 mi) inland from the Gulf of Finland, on Zayachy (Hare) Island, he laid down the Peter and Paul Fortress, which became the first brick and stone building of the new city.

Fortress of Peter and Paul

The city was built by conscripted peasants from all over Russia; a number of Swedish prisoners of war were also involved in some years under the supervision of Alexander Menshikov, one of Peter’s closest friends. Tens of thousands of serfs died building the city. However, he – and his imperial successors – built a jewel of architecture and city design.

Definitely not the First Bridge...

There were no bridges, as Peter wanted everyone to use a boat to get around. No oars were allowed either until it became obvious that sailing alone was not a safe option. The first fixed bridge was built in 1850, until then only pontoon bridges were in use.

Putin's Seat of Power

Over the following centuries it evolved into the Cultural Center of Russia, as well as being the Capital for a number of years. It was renamed Leningrad five days after Lenin’s death, and it kept that name until the late 20^th Century. There are more than 230 monuments to Lenin in the City.

Nevski Prospect today

The same spot on Nevski Prospect during the Siege

The longest and most horrific siege in history occurred in Leningrad between Sept 1941 and Jan 1944, when German forces, together with Finnish ones besieged the city. There was no food, no heat and no water. The winters saw temperatures of minus 30 degrees. The only food which reached the city came through the ‘Road of Life, which led over frozen Lake Ladoga. People were forced to eat rats, cats, earth and glue. Some resorted to cannibalism. Dead bodies littered the streets of Leningrad for days as the survivors were too weak to bury the dead.

About 1.500.000 people died – mostly of starvation - during the siege, not counting losses of soldiers on either side.

Social Housing Soviet Style

You are Here...

New Condos at the Gulf of Finland - prices are high...

Trams - still a popular commute for the suburbs of Petersburg

Stalin and subsequent Soviet rulers built scores of housing units in the City. Today, forests of cranes give witness to ongoing massive construction.

Weapons and Artillery Arsenal

One of the Many Churches along Nevski Prospect

This church was turned into a swimming pool with diving tower during Soviet Rule; it is again a church

The Old Bourse

Menshikov's Palace, which Peter used for his official functions as Menshikov - at that time - had a more luxurious dwelling than Tsar Peter himself.

Triumphal Arch facing the Winter Palace (Hermitage)

Historic buildings have been mostly restored and give an inkling of the glory of St. Petersburg under Peter the Great. Since then it has grown to be the second largest city in Russia (after Moscow). It expands way beyond its original borders.

Nevski Prospect side street with Open Air Restaurants

Sample of Theatrical Offerings

Subways in Petersburg, some have marble and crystal covered stations

For theatre goers (in possession of a valid Russian Visa) it is heaven – there are dozens of theatres offering performances for every taste. Even tango is very much alive here. Along Nevski Prospect, the main shopping street in Petersburg, are quite a number of outdoor restaurants. Tourist souvenir shops abound. Stacked dolls, lacquered boxes, shawls, amber jewellery, furs, vodka and caviar in great variety offer something for everyone.