ABSTRACT

St Petersburg is Russia’s second-largest city and is an important port located on the Baltic Sea. It is located on the River Neva and is at the head of the Gulf of Finland. The city has a distinctive past, and its relationship with water and the sea has impacted upon the origins of the architecture and the orientation and reputation of the city. The city sits on the western edge of this vast country and has been heavily influenced by European and Scandinavian culture and design. A key aspect of diversity is the size and scale of the interior spaces. The historical palaces include the vast Hermitage Museum and its internal spaces are some of the finest and most ornate interiors in the world. St Petersburg uses its history and tradition to power its future. It is a good example of a large city that reflects the history and migration of people and place.