Petrograd Side, Historic district on islands in Saint Petersburg, Russia.
Petrograd Side spreads across several islands in the northern Neva delta, featuring the Peter and Paul Fortress and residential neighborhoods with tree-lined streets. The layout follows the original urban plan that connects these islands through a network of waterways and bridges.
The district was founded in 1703 when Peter the Great established the Peter and Paul Fortress as the city's first structure. From this starting point, Saint Petersburg grew into one of Europe's major cities.
This neighborhood has long served as a gathering place for learning and ideas. Walking through today, you notice university buildings, museums, and collections that make this district a hub for education and intellectual life.
The district is easily reached through five metro stations and has buses, trams, and trolleybuses running throughout the area. Weekdays are best for exploring, as you'll find fewer crowds and can make the most of museum visiting hours.
The Aurora cruiser rests at Petrogradskaya Embankment as a museum ship with an extraordinary history. This vessel fired the shot that signaled the start of the October Revolution in 1917.
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