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St Petersburg was founded by Peter I (the Great), and named in honor of the apostle Peter (a keeper of the keys to the Paradise Gates) under whose protection the Emperor was himself. On the City Emblem of St Petersburg there are two anchors: for the sea and river. Peter the Great believed that anchors were the keys to Paradise.
One of the Neva's islands, where the Admiralty shipyard used to be located, even now, is still called New Holland. Dozens of canals were dug, bridges and dams were built. The best architects, sculptors, artists and engineers were invited from all around Europe - Italy, France, and Holland, Germany. Nevertheless, the northern capital of Russia acquired its own face, its own unique "Petersburgian style".The most exciting time of St. Petersburg is summer and allegorically called the White Nights. The White Nights last for about a month from the middle of June till the middle of July. During this period the streets are not artificially lit at nights, because it does not get dark at all! On the longest day the sun is out for 19 hours, but even when it goes down there is enough light for reading.Each night at 2 o'clock all the bridges across the Neva River are raised to let the ships pass, and so traffic is stopped till 5 in the morning. |
