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spotlight on St. Petersburg

St. Petersburg. The very name Brings to mind some of Russia's great poems, writers and composers: pushkin, Dostoevsky,Tchaikovsky.The 19th century was a golden age for St.Petersburg's wealthy classes.It was a world of ballets and balls, Of art and literature, of tea and caviar.

The name St. Petersburg reminds people of the greatest poets, writers and composers in Russia: Pushkin, Dostoevsky and Tchaikovsky. The 19th century was a golden age for the wealthy class in St Petersburg. It is a world full of ballets and dances, art and literature, tea and caviar.

The Golden Age Ended with the Advent of World War 1. Working People Were Growing More and More Discontinued. In 1917, Communism Camel, Promising Peace and Prosperity.

This golden age ended with the coming of the First World War. The dissatisfaction of the working class is growing. In 1917, the * * * production party came and assured the people of peace and prosperity.

St.Petersburg had become Petrograd in 1914.People wanted a Russian name for their city.Ten years later,the city's name changed again, this time to Leningrad.Then in 1991, Leningraders voted to restore the city's original name.Some people opposed the name change altogether.Others thought it was just too soon.Old, Run-down Soviet Leningrad, they said, was not the St. Petersburg of 19th-century civilization.

St. Petersburg became Petrograd in 1914. People want to give the city a Russian name. Ten years later, the name of the city was changed again, this time it was called Leningrad. Then in 1991, residents of Leningrad voted to restore the original name of the city. Some people are totally opposed to changing the name, while others think that the name has been changed too quickly. They say that the old Soviet Leningrad is no longer St Petersburg in the 19th century.

What,then,is St.Petersburg? In the confusing post-Communist world,no one really knows.The quiet,if Soviet-style,dignity is gone.The Communist sayings are down, and gaudy advertising up.Candy bars and cigarettes are sold from boxy,tasteless kiosks.And clothing? Well, anything goes. Everyone wants to be a little different. But many people do not know the true meaning of freedom. Personal crime has gone up, up, up in the past few years.

So, what is St. Petersburg? In the confusing situation after the ruling of the * * * production party, no one really knows the answer. That quiet but boring Soviet dignity has become a thing of the past. * * * The slogan of the production party was changed and replaced by tacky advertisements. Those square and tasteless stalls sell candy and taro. As for the dress? Well, there are any styles. Everyone wants to be a little different. But many people still don't know the true meaning of freedom. In the past few years, the personal crime rate has been rising continuously.

Yet in spite of this, you can still find some of the city's grand past.Stand at the western tip of Vasilievsky Island.To the right is the elegant Winter Palace, former home of the czars.Its light blue sides and white classical columns make it perhaps St.Petersburg's most graceful building.It houses one of the w orlds most famous art museums:the Hermitage.Inside, 2km of galleries house thousands of works of art.Look over your right shoulder.The massive golden dome of St.Isaac's Cathedral rises above the skyline You'll see, too, why St. Petersburg is called a "floating city." Standing there, near surrounded by water, you can see four of the city's 42 islands.

However, you can still find some glorious past of this city. Standing at the western end of Weiss Livas Key Island, on the right is the elegant Winter Palace, the former residence of the Tsar. Its light blue exterior walls and white classical columns make it probably the most elegant building in St. Petersburg. It contains the most famous art museum in the world: Hermitian Giant Museum. Inside, a 2-kilometer-long art gallery houses thousands of works of art. Looking behind your right shoulder, the huge golden dome of St. Isaac's Cathedral stretches into the sky. You will also understand why St. Petersburg is also called a "floating city". Standing there, almost completely surrounded by water, you can see four of the city's 42 islands.

Cross the bridge and turn behind the Winter Palace.In the middle of the huge Palace Square stands the Alexander Column.It commemorates Russia's vi ctory over Napoleon.The 65-ton granite column is not attached to the base in any way.Its own weight keeps it upright.Hoisted into place in 1832, It has been stopped there ever since.

Cross the bridge and turn to the back of the Winter Palace. In the middle of the huge Winter Palace Square stands Alexander's column. It commemorates the victory of the war between Russia and Napoleon. The bottom of this 65-ton granite column is not fixed in any way, and there is no support at the bottom. Since it was erected in 1832, it has been standing there.

Continue to Nevsky Prospekt, the heart of the old city.Let the crowds hurry by while you take your time.Admire the fine carving on bridges and columns, Above doors and windows. cross over canals and pass by small palaces and other classic structures. Let your eyes drink in the light blues, greens, yellows and pinks.

Continue to Nawaski Street, the center of this old city. When you are walking leisurely, let the crowd pass you in a hurry. Enjoy the exquisite carvings on bridges and columns, doorways and windows. Cross the canal and pass the smaller palaces and other classical buildings. Let your eyes feast on light baskets, turquoise, yellow and pink.

Take time to wander among Kazan Cathedral's semi circle of enormous brown columns.Or, if you prefer Russian-style architecture, Cross the street and follow the canal a short distance. The church of the result occurrences the site where czar Alexander 11was assigned in 1881.

Spend some time walking in the semicircle surrounded by huge brown columns in Kazan Cathedral. Or, if you like Russian-style architecture, cross the road and follow the canal for a short distance. The Resurrection Church is located exactly where Tsar Alexander II was assassinated in 1881.

Travel outside the city to Petrodvorets Palace for a taste of old imperial grandeur.After a visit to France in the late 17th century, Peter the Great decided to build a palace for himself better than Versailles.His dream never came true in his lifetime.It took almost two centuries to Complete the palace and park complex.

Leave the city and visit Peter City to taste the magnificent flavor of the ancient palace. After a visit to France at the end of the 17th century, Peter the Great decided to build himself a palace better than Versailles. In his lifetime, this dream has never come true. The complex building of the palace and the park took almost two centuries to complete.

Seldom does any city have the chance to reinvent itself.That chance has now come to St.Petersburg.A few people might hope to return to the glory o f the past, but most know that is impossible.They want to preserve the best of past eras and push ahead.You can bet the city won't be old St.Petersburg, But something altogether different.

Few cities have the opportunity to create themselves again, and this opportunity has now arrived in St. Petersburg. Some people may wish to return to the glory of the past, but most people know that it is impossible. They hope to keep the essence of the past and make progress. You can bet that this city will no longer be old St. Petersburg, but a completely different city.