   |
|
The
establishing of St. Petersburg in 1703
The area around St. Petersburg is known as Ingermanland Historically, this area was
important because of the surrounding network of waterways, including the Neva River and
Lake Ladoga.. The "Volga-Ilman-Ladoga-Neva" route was used to trade wares from
Asia to Western Europe The usefulness of this river network resulted in the establishment
of many merchant colonies along riverbanks. The success of these colonies as trading
centers attracted people from a variety of areas.
A diverse population resided in this area before, during and after Russian control. These
groups included Finns, Swedes, Hanseatic merchants, and Baltic peoples Eventually, the
region became so popular that the Novgordians of Russian and the Swedes began to fight
over it.
In 1702 Peter the Great captured the Swedish outpost at Noteborg, located where the river
Neva leaves lake Ladoga. He ordered the construction of a new fortress, named Saints Peter
and Paul. A short time later he had the idea of laying the foundations of his new capital,
Saint Petersburg, there, to open to Russia the much desired "Window to Europe."
Peter used the outpost often to look at western countries.[ Back <
] |
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
