Petrograd (St. Petersburg)

Petrograd, originally named St. Petersburg, was the capital of Russia from 1712 until 1918. Founded by Tsar Peter the Great, it was designed to showcase Russia's cultural ambitions and modernization efforts. The city played a crucial role in Russian history, serving as a center for revolutionary activities, particularly during the 1917 Bolshevik Revolution. Its name was changed to Petrograd in 1914 due to anti-German sentiment during World War I. After the revolution, it became known as Leningrad until it regained its original name, St. Petersburg, in 1991. The city's rich history and architecture reflect its imperial past.