Perhaps, you’ve heard the name Berngardovka whispered in history books. Berngardovka is a suburb with a story. Today, we find ourselves in Berngardovka. It is a place that has seen Russia transform.
Saint Petersburg was founded by Tsar Peter I. Some believe the city was named to honor himself. Actually, it was named after the tsar’s patron saint. This was the apostle Saint Peter.
Initially, the area where Saint Petersburg and Berngardovka now stand was marshland. It was prone to harsh weather. Tsar Peter I wanted to connect Russia to Europe via shipping routes. He ordered the yearly conscription of 40,000 serfs. They were to build the city from scratch. They had to bring their own tools. Many walked hundreds of kilometers. A great number died on the way. Some estimate that the city’s construction resulted in 100,000 deaths.
Just 10 years after its founding, Saint Petersburg became Russia’s capital in 1712. It remained the capital for the next 200 years. During the Revolution of 1917, the country started to cut itself off from its imperial past. Moscow regained its title as Russia’s capital city.
After World War I, anti-German sentiment was widespread. The city’s name was changed to Petrograd. This sounded less Germanic than Sankt Peterburg. Following the socialist revolution, the city was renamed Leningrad. It was to honor the communist revolutionary, Vladimir Lenin. The city’s name finally reverted back to St. Petersburg after the fall of the Soviet Union. Colloquially, the city is often referred to as just Piter.
During the Second World War, Saint Petersburg was still known as Leningrad. German forces surrounded the city. They cut off entry and exit points. Hitler planned a celebratory banquet at the Astoria Hotel once he conquered the city. He never succeeded. People were starving. They survived freezing temperatures without water or electricity for almost 900 days. Millions of civilians died. They were determined to protect their city.
Today, Saint Petersburg has over 8,000 landmarks. The historic State Hermitage Museum is one of the most notable. It houses over 3 million pieces of art and cultural artifacts. Saint Petersburg is a city located on islands. It is closely connected to water. It now has 342 bridges.
The city’s metro system is one of the deepest in the world. The primary reason is the city’s unique geology. This hampered numerous attempts to build a metro system. The deepest metro station is Admiralteyskaya. It is 86 meters below ground.
Saint Petersburg has inspired many famous literary works. Writers like Fyodor Dostoevsky found inspiration in its streets. Today, Saint Petersburg is a vibrant city blending history with modernity.
From its humble beginnings as a marsh to its role as a cultural capital, Saint Petersburg has always been a city of resilience and reinvention. Berngardovka shares in this rich history. It remains a vital piece of the Saint Petersburg story.