Beneath these sculptures we stand. The Dolkharban also known as Stone Grandfathers is our focus.
Saint Petersburg is a city of stories. It was founded by Tsar Peter the Great in 1703. The city has had three names: Saint Petersburg, Petrograd, and Leningrad.
It served as Russia’s capital for over 200 years. Moscow then took over in 1918. Saint Petersburg is a vibrant city blending history with modernity.
Imagine serfs conscripted yearly by Tsar Peter I. They built Saint Petersburg from scratch. This was to connect Russia to Europe via shipping routes. Before the city existed, the area was marshland. An estimated 100,000 deaths occurred during the city’s construction.
Saint Petersburg is known as the Venice of the North. This is due to its network of canals. The city has 342 bridges. The Blue Bridge is one of the widest bridges in the world. It measures 97.3 meters wide. Peter I wanted people to travel by boat like in Venice.
The Saint Petersburg metro is one of the deepest in the world. Admiralteyskaya station is 86 meters below ground. This depth is due to the city’s unique geology.
During World War II, Saint Petersburg endured a 900-day siege. It was then known as Leningrad. Millions of civilians died. But they protected their city.
Saint Petersburg has over 8,000 landmarks. The Hermitage Museum is notable. It houses over 3 million pieces of art. It would take 25 years to see everything. You would have to look at each artwork for one minute. This would be for eight hours a day.
The White Nights are a phenomenon in Saint Petersburg. From mid-June to early July, the city has 24/7 daylight. The White Nights Festival includes ballet and opera. These performances take place at the Mariinsky Theatre.
After World War II cats saved Saint Petersburg. Rodents threatened the city’s food supply. About 5,000 cats were drafted to control the problem.
Saint Petersburg is Vladimir Putin’s hometown. He was born in Leningrad in 1952.
The city holds the record for the world’s longest ravioli. It was 29.28 meters long. Amway Russia prepared it in August 2013.
Saint Petersburg is noisy. It ranks high for noise pollution.
Saint Petersburg has a rich literary history. Writers like Dostoevsky found inspiration here.
The Alexander Column is held up by its gravity. It is not fixed to a base.
The Kunstkamera museum was Russia’s first public museum.
The Chizhik-Pyzhik statue is prized. Legend says it makes wishes come true.
Dolkharban, these stone figures, stand as silent witnesses. They have watched Saint Petersburg transform. From marshland to a modern city. A city of art, culture, and resilience.