Welcome to St. Petersburg The city of Saint Petersburg is relatively young if judged by Russian or European standards. Founded in 1703, St. Petersburg in 2003 celebrated its 300th anniversary. But despite being a young city it has a rich and exciting history. From the early days of Peter the Great's "Paradise" and "Northern Venice" to the modern events of 1991 coup d'etat this city has been full of life. St. Petersburg has always been a city of myth and mystery: you can hardly find a young city which is wrapped in legends and stories in such a unique way.
During the course of the Northern War with Sweden the Russian forces have gradually moved from the Lake Ladoga region down the Neva River to the Swedish fort of Nienchanz. After an 8-day siege on May 1, 1703 the Swedish garrison surrendered.
To protect the newly conquered lands in the Neva delta Peter the Great needed a fortress, but Nienchanz was small and badly damaged. Looking for a site for his new fortress, Peter the Great chose the island of Enisaari, which was known to the Russians as Zayachii Ostrov. On May 16, 1703 (May 27 by the modern calendar) the St. Petersburg fortress (St. Peter's and Paul's Fortress) was founded and that day became the official birthday of the city.
Several days later a wooden Cabin of Peter the Great was built, becoming the first housing structure of the new city. The original clay walls and bastions of the fortress were completed by the end of the summer of 1703 under the careful supervision of the tsar and his close associates. For its first few years the St. Petersburg of Peter the Great was a small town around the fortress, but by 1712 it was big enough to become the new Russian capital.
 The first years of St. Petersburg's history saw an amazing transition from a swampy scarcely populated land to a fine European capital. The first structure to be built in the new city was St. Peter's and Paul's fortres. Designed to protect the area from the attacks of the Swedish army and navy, the fort was not involved in the actual fighting. Admiralty complex was also fortified. The Admiralty was a center of St. Petersburg's various activities. The most powerful ships of Russia's Baltic Fleet were built there, which led to a series of naval victories in the course of the Northern War.
Tsar Peter the Great had originally lived in a tiny cabin, which became known as the Cabin of Peter the Great. The Summer Palace was built for him in 1714, and also the Winter Palace not far down the river. There were no bridges across the mighty Neva River and people had to be ferried across by boat (this is why they call St. Petersburg "the Venice of the North").
The original downtown was formed in the area between the fortress and the Cabin of Peter the Great, the place which later became the Trinity Square (The Alexander Nevsky Square). The city center's focal point was near the city's first church, the Trinity Church (The Alexander Nevsky Lavra).
Few cities can offer so many stunning attractions and intriguing moods as St. Petersburg - City of the Tsars. From the vibrant colours of spring, through the sunny summer days and endless twilights of the famous White Nights, the brilliant golden sun of autumn, and into the crisp and brittle brightness of a St. Petersburg winter, the City casts its own unique spell over visitors.
 This is the city that stands out for its architectural ensembles. People who created them were not only architects but poets as well; they managed to combine columns and portals, arches and cupolas, Baroque lavishness and Classical austerity to produce the impression of perfect harmony. The names of Rossi and Rastrelli are the first to be mentioned among them. Others, Zakharov, Quarenghi, Thomas-de-Thomon, Vallin de la Mothe, possessed no less individuality and exhibited great tact towards their predecessors.
Created by Peter the Great to be his "window on Europe", St Petersburg combines its fascinating Russian heritage with a distinctly European outlook. Considered the cultural heart of modern day Russia, St. Petersburg is rapidly regaining its reputation as one of the Great Cities of Europe.
Come to Saint-Petersburg and see by your own eyes the northern capital of Russia! Learn more about the history of this marvelous and surprising country, its great Emperors, march of development events in culture, and way of life of Russians.
You will find out, that the great number of World famous writers, painters, sculptors and other masters of culture - were originally born in Russia and worked here during their life.
Your visit to Saint-Petersburg will be wonderful! It will be more special and unforgettable with Globe-Tour Company - don't hesitate to contact us right now, and we will try to do our best to love our city as much as we do!
Summer is the best period to visit the most number of museums and sights. You will learn more about the history of the city in its quiet museum halls, visiting theatres and folk shows. Everything becomes more magic. Sometimes it is cold outside, but it makes you feel warm in city's restaurants, drinking hot tea with Russian pancakes.
Welcome to Saint-Petersburg ! | 
