> half the villages in the UK are more than that. (300 years)
Of course, there are many cities older (for example Moscow), but St.-Petersburg is the biggest (in Russia) cultural and idustrial center. It was founded by Peter I, most important person in history of Russia, and was the capital for a long period. That's why we think 300 years is a great date.
> St Peterburg is slight north and more west than Moscow ...
Yes. The distance from Moscow to St.-Petersburg isn't very big, about 600km (~4-5 hours if you driving about 200 km\h)
> I'm not so sure St Petersburg can claim to be 300 years old
Saint-Petersburg is its historical name. Later the city was called Petrograd and then Leningrad. But after fall of the USSR citizen returned to their city its first name. And I think it should be so.
> Should we really take the original inception of the city as the innaugarul date or the date when it was last given a facelift?
I'm not sure I'm exacly understand what you mean... But I think yes.
> Nice gardens though
Best gardens with fantastic fountains are outside the city
It'll take 30 minutes to get there by train.
> it invaded by tourists ...
usual traffic in cities of Europe:
1) London
2) Paris
3) Moscow
4) Saint-Petersburg
There are already many tourists, so if you havn't planned you trip I'm advice you to sit at home. By the way tourist mostly are so sunburnt! Why we are so white?
I'd like to change the world, but God doesn't want to give me sources!
