The founding of Saint Petersburg was one of Peter the Great’s most enduring legacies. The city remained the capital of Russia until 1918 and was the center of many key events in Russian history, including the Russian Revolution of 1917. Saint Petersburg’s founding symbolized Russia’s transformation from a relatively isolated, medieval stat

Although Saint Petersburg was founded in 1703, it officially became the Russian capital in 1712, when Peter transferred the seat of government from Moscow. This was a radical move, as Moscow had been the traditional political and cultural center of Russia for centuries. By relocating the capital to Saint Petersburg, Peter underscored his commitm

Building Saint Petersburg was an enormous undertaking. The land was marshy, full of swamps, and prone to flooding. The climate was harsh, with cold winters and short summers. Constructing a city from scratch in such conditions required immense effort, planning, and resources. Peter the Great personally oversaw the construction, often working alo

A central component of Peter’s foreign policy was the Great Northern War (1700–1721), a protracted conflict between Russia and Sweden for dominance over the Baltic region. Peter sought to break Sweden’s control over the Baltic Sea and secure Russia’s access to maritime trade routes. At the outset of the war, Russia lacked a strong navy a