Publisher's Synopsis
Created by Peter the Great from nothing but his wish to make it a capital city without equal, modern and magnificent, Saint Petersburg (formerly Leningrad) has more than satisfied its creator's expectations. The soul of this town-planning caprice-turned-reality is revealed in this book - the bridges of unrivalled grace, the river walkways watched over by a stone bestiary of sphinxes and lions, the magnificent gardens, and the three million works kept in the palace-museum of The Hermitage. The soul of St. Petersburg can also be found in the words of its famous writers and poets and in the music by great composers which resound in the city's theatres. When all is said and done, Saint Petersburg exists in the eternal and universal spirit of art. Places and History: celebrating the world's most beautiful cities and its most fascinating and exotic regions. Celebrating their historic and cultural importance, and their natural beauty. The history of each location is shown in original prints and paintings. The modern scene is explored in glorious colour photographs and with a travel writer's experienced eye.
