Founded in 1703, within ten years St Petersburg had become capital of the Russian empire and quickly gained a reputation as one of Europe's most beautiful cities. In the 20th century it underwent three name changes, three revolutions and a 900-day siege. For a city only three hundred years old, it has an amazing history.

The Tikhvin Cemetery, outside the Alexander Nevsky Monastery, is the burial ground of some of Russia's most famous composers, including Pytor Tchaikovsky, Modest Mussorgsky and Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov.Fyodor Dostoevsky is also buried here.

Founded by Peter the Great, the Alexander Nevsky Monastery is named after the prince of Novgorad who defeated the Sweeds in 1240. Peter himself defeated them again in 1709.