Peter the Great
Peter the Great founded Saint Petersburg in 1703 on the banks of the Neva, choosing a strategically important location for the future city. Construction began with the Peter and Paul Fortress, around which a new administrative center of the country gradually formed.
Under Peter the Great, the fleet actively developed, shipyards were created, and fortifications were built. The city was designed according to European principles and conceived as a modern capital with straight streets and thoughtful planning.
Peter the Great's reforms affected governance, the army, education, and culture. His activities determined the further development of the city and cemented its significance in Russian history.
