If Moscow is Europe's most Asiatic capital, then St Petersburg is Russia's most European city. Created by Peter the Great as his 'window on the West' at the only point where traditional Russian territory meets a seaway to Northern Europe, it was built with 18th and 19th-century European pomp and orderliness by mainly European architects. The result is a city that remains one of Europe's most beautiful; where Moscow intimidates, St Petersburg enchants. Today, despite their problems, residents feel enough affection for their city to call it simply 'Piter' while reform and transformation are giving the city a facelift that's almost 80 years overdue.
Ask anybody in Russia what they think about St. Petersburg, and you'll see, that most of the people have an image about St. Peterburg as the beautiful city of channels and impressive architecture, great historical heritage and vibrant cultural life, the home for many famous artists and poets, a symbol of Russia on the Baltic sea.
Many think it's a mad city with all that water, smokes and even nights, which are white - typical place to get mad and commit a suicide. But it is a very poetical too, most of the Russian culture and poetry especially was born there. Even nowadays, people in St.Petersburg are considered to be more intelligent, smart and polite while Moscow people are considered to be more to themselves, business-like, and fast, but it's just a stereotype…
So get your own imression of St. Petersburg for it’s waiting to unveil its treasures before you…
