St Petersburg
St. Petersburg, formerly (1914–24) Petrograd and (1924–91) Leningrad, city and port, is situated in the northwestern part of Russia. A major historical and cultural centre and an important port, St. Petersburg lies about 400 miles (640 km) northwest of Moscow the capital of Russia. It is the second largest city of Russia and one of the world’s major cities. St. Petersburg has played an important role in Russian history since its founding in 1703.
It was founded by Tsar Peter I (the Great) as Russia’s “window on Europe,” it bears the unofficial status of Russia’s cultural capital and most European city, a distinction that it strives to retain in competition with Moscow. There are three characteristics of St Petersburg that may attract your attention.
- The first is the city’s harmonious mix of western European and Russian architecture.
- The second is St. Petersburg’s lack of an unequivocal city centre, which, in other Russian cities of medieval origin, is defined by a Kremlin and its surrounding area.
- The third characteristic feature of the city is its many waterways. The short but full-flowing tributaries and canals of the Neva River that stretch to the Baltic coast are inseparable from St. Petersburg’s panorama. Many of the city’s most famous architectural sites stretch along the Neva’s historic embankments. Moreover, the bridges and natural canals of the river have earned St. Petersburg the nickname “Venice of the North.”
- The fourth characteristic is due to St. Petersburg’s northerly location, the city enjoys the “White Nights,” from June 11 to July 2, when daylight extends to nearly 19 hours.
Please come to study to our University and will enjoy magnificent Saint Petersburg in winter and summer time!