The remarkably beautiful city glorified as the "Northern Palmyra" lies on more than hundred islands of the Neva delta. Standing on the broadest part of the delta, Zayachi Island, Hare Island, is the severe building of the Peter and Paul Fortress. It was founded on May 16, 1703 and is of the same age with the city once built as Russia's advanced post in the North War against Sweden. In the same year 1703 the foundation of the cathedral "in the name of Apostles Peter and Paul" was laid on the Fortress ground. Up rose the light guilded Peter and Paul spire crowned by the weather-cock in the shape of the angel with the cross. It was 122 meters tall.

A beautiful city was spreading along the Neva banks. That city, "the beauty and marvel of northern countries" became a new Russian capital in 1712. St.Petersburg is a well-planned elegant city sparkling with the "colour-print" beauty, a work of art having its own, matchless image. Its filigree silouette has earned the city the fame of one of the most beautiful cities of the world. Palacian ensembles hold a special place in St.Petersburg's architectural image.

The golden domes of St.Petersburg's churches are well-known all over the world as are the city's famous spires. St.Petersburg looks beautiful during summer white nights when the city is sunk in the blue-lilac twilight, when the evening glow almost meets the dawn coloring. Its suburbs are no less attractive. The fountains of Peterhoff, the Tsarskoe Selo Gardens and Palaces, the green spaces of Pavlovsk — all this is grand, elegant and unique in its own way. Apart from its individual architectural image St.Petersburg boasts of its own proud and independent character. Built "to spite of arrogant neighbour", the city has survived three revolutions. Never it was brought down to its knees.

For more than two centuries St.Petersburg had been the capital of Russia that amassed unique riches of the home and world culture and gave a wide scope to the activities of great researches, writers, composers, artists, sculptors and architects of the past. The Russian Academy of Sciences was founded in St.Petersburg in 1724. Now St.Petersburg continues to be the cultural capital of Russia and is preparing to its 300 anniversary to be celebrated in 2003.

St.Petersburg (known as Petrograd in 1914-1924 and as Leningrad in 1924-1991), the northern capital of Russian Federation, the seaport, the administrative center of Leningrad region, one of the most beautiful cities in the world, was founded by Russian Tsar Peter the Great on the small Zayachy island in the mouth of the Neva river as a fortress on May 27, 1703. The city became the capital of Russia in 1712 up to 1918 when the capital was transfered back to Moscow. The northern geografical location of St.Petersburg (the same latitude as Greenland, Alaska and Chukotka) explains the white nights from June 11 up to July 2 when the sun sets only 9 degrees below the horizon and the faint twilight gradually turns into the dawn. The city was built by the most famous Russian and European architects and nicknamed "the Babylon of the Snows" and "the Venice of the North". The present city is a large industrial, transport, scientific and cultural centre of Russia with a territory of 620 sq.km and a population of 5 million.

The Petropavlovskaya Fortress is a remarkable , historical and architectural memorial in St.Petersburg. The Winter Palace, designed by Rastrelli in the 18th century, the former residence of Russian tsars, located on the Palace Square, is one of the most beautiful architectural ensembles in the world. The Hermitage with its collection of over 2,5 million exhibits is one of the very finest world art museums. The Russian Museum contains 3 thousand paintings (10th-20th centuries) of Russian artists. The St.Isaac`s Cathedral (1818-1858) is an outstanding monument of the late Russian Classicism. The majestic architectural ensembles in the suburbs are well-known all over the world.

Peterhof or Petrodvorets — the former Russian imperial residence, Pavlovsk (18-19th centuries), Pushkino (18-19th centuries) — the former country residence of the Russian tsars, are among them.