Peter the Great, one of Russia's most enlightened and driven rulers, saved Russian from her dark and feudal past and created a nation that would equate its European neighbors. It was under his reign that St. Petersburg began its turn to a more modernized and European like state. With Peter the Great's eagerness the best architects, sculptors and artists from all over the world were invited to create the city's unique look.

In 1712, St. Petersburg became the capital of the Russian state and the center of its political and cultural life. The city, built on a swamp at the price of thousands of Russian workers' lives, sprang out of nothing to open a so-called "window to Europe." It would replace Moscow as the center of Russian political life for two centuries. The present city is one of Russia's biggest industrial, transport, scientific, and cultural centers. As one walks down the streets of St. Petersburg they are greeted with wonderful broad squares, parks, gardens, wide avenues, including the main street Nevsky Avenue, rich palaces of Russian aristocrats, and majestic cathedrals.

Today St Petersburg is still one of the most famous attractions of Russia. As Russia and its citizens prepare to celebrate St. Petersburg's 300th birthday this May, nearly every other building along the city's main thoroughfare, Nevsky Prospekt, and every third church are being rebuilt. People from all over the world are anxious to visit St. Petersburg and explore its long-lived history and culture, as well as experience the famous white nights. As the
modern St. Petersburg enters a new stage in its existence, the oppressions many remember have vanished from St. Petersburg, but the northern lights still cast their glow over the Nevsky Prospect at dawn and The Pushkin cafe and the Hermitage museum are still open for the public to experience the true meaning and history of Russia.

Students at 'Berg have the opportunity to learn a great deal about St. Petersburg's cultural and historical aspects through a variety of courses in the Russian studies program. We get a chance to experience and examine the significance of prominent architects, painter, writers, composers, and major historical figures of Russia. As a whole, it is the in-depth essays, research papers, independent presentations, and different educational trips that leave us with a wide and long-term understanding of and knowledge about Russia and the psyche if its people.

--Zoya Feldman, '04

A modified version of this essay with slides of St. Petersburg was presented by Stephanie Melka at the International Night.