Virtuoso Insights - October/November 2008 - (Page 66) st. Petersburg WindoW on The WesT It seemingly rises from the sea itself, this testament to Peter the Great’s vision for a new Russian empire. Emulating the grandest Western cities, St. Petersburg was designed to face toward Europe — and away from Russia’s past. It is also a tribute to the human spirit, literally built on water, with more than 100 islands and crisscrossed by more than 60 rivers and canals. Half of the Neva River lies within the city’s boundaries. Founded in 1703, St. Petersburg served as the Russian Empire’s capital for more than 200 years. At the outbreak of World War I, its name was changed to Petrograd and, after the 1917 Revolution, its capital status was returned to Moscow. The city’s worst ordeal, however, came during WWII, when then-Leningrad withstood a 900-day siege by the Nazis. In honor of the city’s 300th anniversary in 2003, the government invested more than one billion dollars to restore its former splendor, reestablishing the “Venice of the North” as the centerpiece for any visit to Russia. Regal ascension: exploring the Hermitage’s Winter palace, former residence of Russian czars and (bottom) palace Square: the city’s central plaza and setting for many significant Russian events, including the October Revolution of 1917. . . . the youngeR, iMPeRial chilD, a little selfcenteReD anD inDulging in all things westeRn . . . more russian Dolls on page 68 P 66 Virtuoso insights Photo ©Renaud visage/gettyimages
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