General information about St.Petersburg

St. Petersburg is the symbol of the European part of Russia and one of the most venerable capitals of the world.

St. Petersburg, the city of white nights, is by far one of the most beautiful cities in the world. After Moscow it is Russia's largest.

Unlike other names of European capitals that consist of one word, the name Sankt-Peterburg consists of three parts each having its own meaning.

Sankt from the Latin sanctus meaning holy; Peter, the name of the one of the twelve apostles, also meaning rock in Greek; and burg from the German and Dutch word meaning town. Thus, the name of the young capital unites the names of Peter the Great, his patron saint, as well as cultures of Ancient Greece and Rome, Germany and Holland. The name of the new Russian city and its symbols emphasize the connection with classical Rome the patron saint of which was the apostle Peter. Even the coat of arms of St. Petersburg with its two crossed anchors is remarkably similar to that of the Vatican.

In 2003 it was the 300th anniversary of the foundation of St. Petersburg. The make-up of the population is almost entirely ethnic Russian. There is a large expatriate community of Western business people and students which is continually growing.

The People of St. Petersburg are very friendly and make visitors to their country feel like welcomed guests.

The city, a real fata morgana for tourists, impresses by numerous museums and galleries, theatres and cathedrals, palaces and parks. St. Petersburg with its fine palaces and wide avenues, great number of canals and fine bridges will make you stay there unforgettable!