History of Saint Petersburg

In 2003, St. Petersburg, said the 300-year anniversary. This is a very young age for the city. Although in the first century of its existence it has earned a reputation as one of the most beautiful cities in Europe, standing on a par with Paris, Amsterdam and Venice.

... In April 1703, Peter the Great first steps onto land, where the Neva flows into the Gulf of Finland, and May 27 is already incorporated St. Petersburg, and thousands of peasants from all over Russia are sent to build a new city. In the same year coming and the first foreign experts.

Already in 1712, Peter takes the capital from Moscow to the shores of the Neva. The whole domestic world of his own volition or by necessity moved to Petersburg, where he is forced to change not only their former way of life, but look to the European way - nobles shave their beards, while the ladies are learning to dance. And since the events that took place in St. Petersburg, are the key not only in the history of Russia but also in European history.

Returning in 1717 from a trip to Europe, Peter begins construction of Peterhof, which is designed to surpass the greatness of his residence "Sun King" Louis XIV - Versailles. Waging war, engaged in the construction of St. Petersburg, the creation of the Russian navy, the king does not neglect the sciences and arts. Talents of children of the nobility, he sends for training in western Europe. Simultaneously, the king entrusted repurchased at European courts specialists in military affairs, science and architecture.

By the end of the reign of Peter the Great on the Neva River has adorned the city with a population of 40,000 inhabitants, which, as, indeed, to the whole of Russia, with reverence begins to treat the whole of Europe.

After the death of Peter I in 1725 the power is rapidly shifting from one ruler to another. Peter's wife Catherine I in 1727, replaced on the throne of Peter II (1727-1730 gg.), Hastily left the city and settled in the First Throne. St. Petersburg began to decline, but Anna Ivanovna (1730-1740 gg.) Triumphantly returned to St. Petersburg. She founded the first Russian school of ballet and many ministerial posts puts the Germans. Actual power at that time has its favorite Count Biron, for the scornful attitude to the Russian who was exiled at the next change of government in Siberia.

Then on the throne - a worthy daughter of "Peter and the continuer Affairs - Elizabeth (1741 - 1762 gg.), The great fashionista and lover of luxury. It rebuilds the Catherine Palace in Tsarskoe Selo, and begins construction of a new Winter Palace "for the glory of the Fatherland", which now adorns the city, founded the Academy of Arts. Caring for the heir to the throne, Elizabeth marries his nephew Peter (who became Emperor Peter III) at the German princess Sophia Augusta Frederika of Anhalt-Zerbst, after the adoption of Orthodox Christianity - Catherine Alekseevne (later became the Empress Catherine II).

Once in power, Catherine II becomes empress-enlightener. She osnovyvaetErmitazh, for a collection which buy pieces of art in Europe and radeet strengthening of the Russian Academy of Sciences. Experiencing an extreme degree of respect for Peter the Great, she erects a monument to him (the famous Bronze Horseman), and significantly expands the empire he created.

In 1796, after Catherine's death, the throne takes her son, Paul I. It starts with a very different era, reflected in the architectural appearance of St. Petersburg. On the bank of the Fontanka River built a new imperial residence - surrounded on all sides by water, Mikhailovsky Castle, a favorite summer residence of the emperor becomes Gatchina. Paul I, implementing reforms aimed at strengthening the state, but has infringed the rights of the nobility did not forgive the Emperor changes have significantly reduced their profits and privileges. The hands of the conspirators Paul is killed in a bedroom of the Mikhailovsky Castle.

Comes the 19 th century, and to the Russian throne ascends favorite grandson of Catherine - Alexander I, continued the educational work begun by his regal grandmother. Her favorite summer residence - Tsarskoe Selo in 1811 was called the Imperial Lyceum, famed for its outstanding graduates, among whom "the sun of Russian poetry" - Alexander Pushkin. Victoriously finished the war with Napoleon. In St. Petersburg, erect Alexander Column on Palace Square, the Arc de Triomphe, the Narva Gate and other monuments to winners. It's - the heyday of all trends in art. Architects, sculptors, painters, poets inspired by feats of arms of soldiers, "covered by the glory of a wonderful hike and eternal memory of the twelfth year." St. Petersburg in the early 19 th century - one of the most beautiful cities in Europe.

Since coming to power in 1825, the year his brother Alexander I - Emperor Nicholas I, the architectural appearance of St. Petersburg is enriched by a number of outstanding architectural monuments and art. Construct a railroad linking the northern capital to Moscow

Profound political and economic reform in Russia begins with the reign of his son Nicholas I - Emperor Alexander II, legalized the abolition of serfdom. Life "Tsar-Liberator" ends in 1881 at the hands of terrorists of the People. On-site lethal injury to the Emperor - on the shore of the Catherine Canal (now - Griboyedov Canal), at the request of his son - Emperor Alexander III talented craftsmen erected the temple of the Savior on the Blood "in very rare for Petersburg," Russian style ". By this time, Saint-Petersburg to become a major capitalist city - built housing industry, apartment buildings, largely extant.

In 1894, after the death of 49-year old Alexander III, who ascends to the throne of the last Russian Tsar - Nicholas II, which is supposed to drink the cup to the bottom of the tragic trials.

At the turn of 19-20 centuries, St. Petersburg is experiencing a boom in the art. In the capital stages shine Anna Pavlova and Vaslav Nijinsky. Sergei Diaghilev, the troupe creates a "Russian Ballet", which invites the work of composer Igor Stravinsky, artists' World of Art "by Leon Bakst and Alexander Benois and the choreographer Michel Fokine. Created by an outstanding Russian ballet dancers "Firebird", "Scheherazade," "Petrushka," then shake the European capitals and fix for the glory of the best Russian ballet dancers in the world. St. Petersburg in the years continues to grow rapidly.

By 1913, Russia reached an unprecedented economic and cultural development. But the First World War and the coming turn of the tragic events - February Revolution, Nicholas II's abdication from the throne, the October Revolution, Civil War, the death of the royal family ...


The face of imperial Petersburg miraculously saved in the Stalin era, when the crumbling temples, and broke people's lives. And even World War II, at 900 days of the city forged a ring of the blockade, not wiped out its unique features. In 2005 we celebrated the sixtieth anniversary of Victory. Evidence of courage and perseverance residents of besieged Leningrad became immortal poetic lines Olga Bergholz, carved on a granite wall Piskarevsky Memorial Cemetery, Seventh "Leningrad" Symphony of Dmitri Shostakovich, the monuments on the "Road of Life", a monument to "Heroic Defenders of Leningrad in Victory Square.

Gone are the tragic days of the siege, swept during the Cold War, when the city together with the whole country was living behind the Iron Curtain.

80 years in Leningrad - a period of intense housing construction, design maritime facade of the city. Leningrad 80's - a legendary rock band "Cinema", "DDT", "Aquarium", "Alice", is the creativity of Sergei Kuryokhin and Victor Tsoi, expressing fully the hopes and aspirations for change ...

Thanks to the initiative of the first mayor, Anatoly Sobchak in the early 90-ies of Leningrad was returned to its historic name of St. Petersburg. And at this difficult time for the whole country "perestroika " the city continued to grow and develop as a cultural capital of Russia.

In 2003, St. Petersburg, brilliantly observed 300-year anniversary. By this date, a collection of "open-air museum", as rightly called the northern capital, enriched a lot of new architectural works and works of contemporary urban sculpture. St. Petersburg - the city where the space seem larger because of the low transparency in the northern sky. In the morning the visible objects in it are perceived as mirages. Particularly puzzling and mysterious St. Petersburg appears in the period of white nights, when the mist rising from the water, blurs the line between reality and dream, creating an illusory impression of lightness, weightlessness, soaring over the Neva River City. And everyone who touches this city, palpable feeling that ends up in the "gap" between the day today and eternity, where only and can create cultural tour, always opposing the chaos of time.