The Pre-History of St. Petersburg

The area of land along the Neva River had always belonged to the Ancient Russian state since the 9th century, when it was part of the Principality of Novgorod. From the city of Novgorod, merchants used the Neva River and Lake Ladoga to trade goods throughout Western and Northern Europe.

However, in 1240 a Swedish invasion landed on the banks of the Neva River whilst the majority of Central and Southern Russia were fighting against the Mongol invasion. On the 15th July 1240 the Novgorod troops under the command of Prince Alexander launched a surprise attack on the Swedish army at the ‘Battle of The Neva’, and were victorious. From that day Prince Alexander was given the name Alexander Nevsky (Alexander of the Neva), and the battle became a symbol of Russia’s dramatic fight for independence. The Russian Orthodox Church later declared Alexander Nevsky as a Saint for his efforts in protecting Russian and its Christian faith. During the late 18th Century, Alexander Nevsky was declared as the patron saint of St Petersburg.

During the 16th century, the lands along the Neva River became part of a more centralised Russian state governed by Moscow (Muscovite Russia), and the power and prosperity of Novgorod was repressed. When the last Tsar of the Riurik dynasty, Fiodor Ioanovich (the son of Ivan the Terrible) died at the beginning of the 17th century leaving no heir to the throne, serious unrest began to brew in Russia. The Swedes realised how weak Russia had become after the new Ruler, Vasily Shuisky, invited them to fight on his side. Instead the Swedes decided to occupy large portions of Russia’s North-West including the Neva River, effectively cutting Russia off from the Baltic trade routes. Even after the new Romanov dynasty was established in 1613, Russia had to admit some territorial loss, and in 1617 a new border between Russia and Sweden was established by the Stolbovo Treaty.

By the end of the 17th century, Peter the Great wished to regain access to the Baltic Sea and re-establish strong ties with the West. With this aim, he embarked on the Northern War with Sweden lasting from 1700 to 1721. After gaining control of the Neva River, Peter the Great founded the city of St. Petersburg on the 16th May 1703, (27th May by the modern calendar).

Next: The Foundation of St. Petersburg