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Capital of the Russian Empire for over 200 years, it was built to a comprehensive, unified plan designed by Peter the Great himself. More than 100 islands are linked by 300 bridges, with the main city divided by the river Neva. St. Petersburg is rightly known as the Venice of the North. From the 16th century onward, Russia maintained close ties with the cultural traditions of Europe. There is a stylistic unity to the city despite the geograpahical challenges the islands present. Only along the industrialized waterfront do you see the unsophisticated clutter and disarray that is produced by utility over sensibility. See the section: Boats and Ferries in St. Petersburg, photos Our Dockyard and Berth at St.Petersburg for some shots of the waterfront environment.
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Eastern Europe
