 | History | |
1703
On 23rd April during the North war the Russian corps of B. Sheremetev starts the siege of Nienshants. On May 1st the Swedes surrender. On the 6th May construction works of St. Petersburg fortress on Zayachiy ostrov begin. On 29th June construction works of St Peter and St Paul Church begin. The Tsar orders that soldiers, peasants, craftsmen from all parts of Russia move to the banks of the Neva to erect the fortress and other buildings for the army and the navy: Admiralteyskiy dockyard, Smolyanoy and Liteyniy Dvor. 1710
Foreign ambassadors are received for the first time in St Petersburg. Marriages of the Tsar's family members take place in the city. Peter I founds Sviato-Troitskiy Aleksandro-Nevskiy monastery. 1712
The royal court, guards, and governmental institutions move from Moscow to St Petersburg, which becomes the capital of Russia, although, at the time, this status was not legally enshrined. Vasilievskiy Ostrov becomes the first center of the city is, but it is quickly transferred to Admiralteyskaya Storona. 1719
Following an edict from Peter I the Kunstkamera, the first Russian museum of natural science, is founded. 1725
A struggle for power follows the death of Peter I, after which Catherine I ascends to the throne. 1727
Peter II succeeds to Catherine I. The new tsar and the court moves to Moscow. In 1728 40,000 persons live in St Petersburg. 1732
Under the reign of Anna Ioanovna St Petersburg becomes once again the capital of Russia. Large amounts of state revenues are spent on maintaining the court, organizing balls and other festivities. 1741
The reign of Elizabeth Petrovna is marked by the construction of numerous baroque palaces, in particular, the ones conceived by B. Rastrelli. Anichkov Palace and Smolniy monastery are also built at that time. At the end of 1761 Elizabeth Petrovna died and Peter III, her nephew, ascends to the throne. Peter III is overthrown by his wife, Catherine Alexeevna. 1762
Catherine II is the empress of Russia. There are 160,000 inhabitants in St Petersburg. Granite quays are being constructed along the Neva, and the first buildings in classical style are being erected. The numerous palaces of the empress embellish the capital and its suburbs. Amongst her favorite are: Mramorniy, Tavricheskiy, Kamennoostrovskiy, Tsarskoselskiy, and Pavlovskiy. In 1764 a large collection of pictures, purchased from the Prussian merchant Gotskovskiy by Catherine II, arrives at St Petersburg.
This collection consists of 225 pictures mostly of the Dutch and Flemish schools. Catherine II starts, thus, collecting art that is now part of the Hermitage, which is founded precisely that year. In 1785 the library of Diderot is delivered at the Hermitage. Catherine II had bought the library as early as 1765, but it had been left to the philosopher's use until his death. 1796
Under the reign of Paul I St Petersburg turns into a military camp. Stone quarters and parade grounds are being built. Potemkin's palace becomes a stable, and Vorontsov's palace is handed over to the Maltese order. Mikhailovskiy zamok is built for the Tsar, and precisely in this residence, he is murdered in 1801. 1801
Alexander I is in power. He abolishes the reforms implemented by Paul I. Ministries are established. Buildings for the ministries and several cathedrals are erected along with the Strelka of Vasilievskiy Ostrov. The 100th anniversary of St Petersburg is celebrated on Senatskaya Ploshchad.
In 1801 the population of St Petersburg exceeds that of Moscow and amounts to 214,000 persons. 1824
The city experiences the largest flood of its history. 1825
The rule of Nikolai I begins with the rebellion of the Decembrists on Senatskaya Ploshchad. Karl Rossi conceives the ensemble of central squares including Dvortsovaya. 1855
Alexander II is in power. In 1861 he abolishes serfdom and champions several reforms in various fields (land, law and military). From the end of 1870 onwards, following several attempts to the Tsar's life, repressions of revolutionary movements intensify. In 1881 Alexander II is killed by members of Narodnaya Volya. 1881
Alexander III reigns. There are 1.5 million inhabitants in St Petersburg, and industrial suburbs are developing. 1894
The rule of the last Russian emperor Nikolai II begins. His reign is marked by the Russo-Japanese war, the revolution of 1905-1907, and World War I. In 1903 Troitskiy Bridge is opened for the 200th anniversary of the city. In 1914 St Petersburg is renamed Petrograd.
In 1917 after the February Revolution Nikolai II abdicates. 1917
A Provisional Government is in place. Political meetings, demonstrations and strikes contribute to make Petrograd a very unsettled place. The Bolshevik party is getting more active and creates the Red Guard, which will be instrumental to take power later and control the city during the October Revolution. Lenin heads the Council of People's Commissars, and at the beginning of 1918 the Soviet Government moves to Moscow. It follows that Petrograd is no longer the capital. 1924
After the death of V. I. Lenin, Petrograd is renamed Leningrad. From 8th September 1941 to 27th January 1944
The German troops enforce a blockade on Leningrad. All the palaces in the Leningrad suburbs, Pulkovskoe shosse and prospekt Stachek are occupied by the Germans. Although many inhabitants of the city had been evacuated mainly using the "Road of life" over the frozen lake Ladoga, over 1 million people died of hunger or under the city bombings. 1945
The title of City-Hero is awarded to Leningrad. 1960
The Blokadniy Memorial in Piskarevskoe kladbishche, where 600,000 inhabitants of Leningrad are buried, is inaugurated. 1960-1970s
I. Brodskiy, S. Dovlatov, A. Bitov, A. German, B. Grebenschikov, and S. Kurekhin live in Leningrad, which, thus, becomes the capital of unofficial culture. 1991
Following the results of a referendum, the city is renamed St Petersburg. 1994
The Goodwill Games take place in St Petersburg. 2003
The city celebrates its 300th anniversary. 2006
Summit G8 in Petersburg. « back | 
