Perhaps the least known fact about Uzigonty is that it sits in the Moscow Standard Time zone. Today Uzigonty is a small hamlet. It is part of the Lomonosovskiy district. This district is within the Leningrad Oblast of Russia.
Uzigonty finds itself near several airports. Pulkovo Airport in Russia is the closest. It is only 21 km away. Lappeenranta Airport in Finland is 168 km away. Savonlinna Airport in Finland is 243 km from Uzigonty. Mikkeli Airport in Finland is a bit further at 256 km. Helsinki Airport in Finland is the farthest at 279 km.
The exact time here in Uzigonty is Moscow Standard Time. That is UTC plus three hours. The sun rises here at 8:25 AM. It sets at 6:02 PM. That gives us 9 hours and 36 minutes of daylight. The official currency here is the Russian Ruble.
Saint Petersburg is near Uzigonty. It was founded by Tsar Peter the Great in 1703. The city was named after the apostle Saint Peter. Saint Petersburg was the capital of Russia from 1712 to 1918. Saint Petersburg is known as Russia’s cultural center. It attracts over 15 million tourists annually. It is also called the Northern Capital of Russia. The Hermitage is in Saint Petersburg. It is one of the largest art museums.
Saint Petersburg is known for its many waterways. It is sometimes called the Venice of the North. The city also has Western European-inspired architecture. This mixes with the city’s Russian heritage. Saint Petersburg is sometimes called the “Window to Europe”. This is because Peter the Great wanted Russia to trade with Europe. He needed a seaport for this purpose.
From mid-May to mid-July the night skies do not get completely dark. This is because of its closeness to the polar region. Saint Petersburg is known as the City of the White Nights. It is also called the Northern Palmyra. This is because of its beautiful buildings.
Peter the Great captured a Swedish fortress in 1703. He then built the Peter and Paul Fortress. This became the first brick building in Saint Petersburg. Tens of thousands of serfs died building the city. Peter moved the capital from Moscow to Saint Petersburg in 1712.
During the first years, Saint Petersburg grew near Trinity Square. Domenico Trezzini planned the city center. It was to be on Vasilyevsky Island. The streets were to be a rectangular grid of canals. The project was not finished, but it shaped the city. Peter the Great hired Jean-Baptiste Alexandre Le Blond as chief architect.
Trezzini developed the Petrine Baroque style. This style became common in the early 18th century. Examples include the Menshikov Palace and Kunstkamera. The Academy of Sciences and University were established.
Saint Petersburg has a humid continental climate. Summers are mild to hot and humid. Winters are long and moderately cold. The average high in July is 23°C. The average low in February is -8.5°C. The Neva River freezes in November or December. It thaws in April.
Saint Petersburg is the second-largest city in Russia. As of 2021, it had over 5.6 million residents. Saint Petersburg has seen dramatic population changes over time. The city’s original name, Sankt-Peterburg, was restored in 1991. Local residents often call the city Piter.
Today, Uzigonty and Saint Petersburg offer glimpses into Russia’s past and present. From its geographical location to its rich history, this area continues to fascinate all.