Captivating St Petersburg

CULTURE: CHARM AND CALM OF CITY BELIES THE FACT THAT RUSSIA IS FIGHTING A WAR → Epicentre of values, as well as haven of rich history.

- Abbey Makoe

The captivating sense of calmness, the throngs of people milling about and the huge traffic volumes throughout St Petersburg belies the reality that Russia is in a state of war.

St Petersburg is a sprawling cosmopolitan city. It is regarded as the mecca of Russia's culture and heritage, an epicentre of values as well as a haven of Russia's rich history.

The identity of being Russian can be easily located to a way of life in the majestic St Petersburg, sometimes referred to affectionately as "St P".

Museums and art galleries decorate the city founded by Peter the Great in the 17^th century.

Born in Moscow in 1672, Peter the Great was first the Tsar of Russia and later became Russia's first Emperor from 1721 until his death in 1725, aged only 52 years and four months.

His statue riding a horse overlooks the majestic Neva River around which St Petersburg is built. The architecture of the multi-storey buildings is clearly influenced by two factors – war and weather.

Perimeter walls are as wide as nearly one metre. Ferocious winter weather, particularly around January to March, can see temperatures dropping to as low as -35°C.

However, in the present summer season, dozens of boats travel with the Neva River's current in one direction, forming a beautiful flotilla. At times they travel pretty close to each other ferrying holiday makers from one end to the other.