The city used to have different names: St. Petersburg (1712 – 1914, 1991 –), Petrograd (1914 – 1924), Leningrad (1924 – 1991).

St. Petersburg is one of the youngest among the biggest European cities. It was found on May 27 in 1703 by Russian tzar Peter I the Great.

In 1703–1716 a fortress was built on the Zayachy Ostrov in delta of Neva River, thus the history of St. Petersburg began.

In 1712 St. Petersburg becomes the capital of Russian Empire.

In 1718 the first ever yacht-club “Nevskaya Flotiliya” (Neva Flotilla) is found.

The mint is transferred from Moscow to Petropavlovsky Fortress in St. Petersburg.

In 1764 the first in Russia educational institution for girls, Educational Society of noble maids, was established in Smolny Convent. During the Socialist Revolution of 1917 Smolny became the residence of the first Soviet Government.

In 1767 “Small Hermitage” was built for placement of art collections.

In 1824 the severest flood in history of the city deforms the appearance of St. Petersburg greatly.

The water-level rose more than 4 meters above the standard, but the flood didn’t last long. Although the next morning there was frost, and many of those who survived the flood, froze to death. Altogether 569 people died, and 462 houses were destroyed.

Decembrist Revolt in Senatskaya Ploshad’.

In December 1825 Emperor Alexander I died, his death stimulated the unsuccessful Decembrist revolt, when a group of noblemen declined to take the new Emperor’s oath. The leaders of the revolt were executed, all other main participants were banished to Siberia. Soviet Government considered this event as the beginning of Soviet ideology and it’s life.

In 1836 construction of the first Russian railroad began. The railroad was to connect St. Petersburg and Tsarskoye Selo, Tsar’s residence.

In 1906 the first taxi appeared on the streets of the city.

In 1914 after breaking out of the Great War (the First World War) Nikolay II ordered to rename St. Petersburg. The new name, Petrograd, has a Russian vibe to it as opposed to the German-sounding St. Petersburg.

The capital of Russia moves to Moscow in 1918, and in 1924 after Lenin’s death Petrograd changes its name to Leningrad.

In 1941–1944 Leningrad was blockaded by German troops, but never surrendered. The blockade lasted for 900 days. Leningrad became a Hero-city afterwards.

In 1955 the metro starts working in Leningrad.

In 1991 the city was once again renamed, the original name was given back to the city. Leningrad turned into St. Petersburg.

In 2003 the city celebrated its 300th anniversary, people from all over the world came to visit St. Petersburg. It was largely restored before the official celebrations took place.

READ ARTICLES ABOUT SAINT PETERSBURG...