St. Petersburg: Russia & The Romanovs' Dream City with Vladimir Ivanov
Learn with Vladimir Ivanov

St. Petersburg: Russia & The Romanovs' Dream City with Vladimir Ivanov

No events are scheduled at this time. Want to be notified when it’s back? Click the blue button to the right and we’ll notify you.

Can't make this time? A video recording will be sent to all participants after the seminar.

Special Statement from Context: Our staff is closely monitoring the evolving Russia – Ukraine conflict. Please visit our statement for additional details about how we are working to support our experts impacted by this crisis. 
Event Description
When Tsar Peter founded a small wooden fortress on a swampy island in the estuary of the Neva by the Baltic Sea in the early 1700s, no one could predict that in less than a century it would grow into one of the most beautiful cities in Europe. Meet St. Petersburg: a location that the Romanovs believed would make their country a leading Western power. This conversation will give a historic overview of Russia’s most visited city and explain the paradoxes of the imperial period (1721-1917).
The Romanovs’ new capital, with its wide boulevards and baroque palaces, perplexed common people for quite some time. There were even popular “prophecies” about catastrophic floods that would bury St. Petersburg under the cold waters of the Baltics. We’ll discuss the Tsar’s European inclinations meeting the realities of the huge, conservative, and mostly agrarian nation they ruled. We will discuss notable figures: from Tsar-visionary Peter the Great, Empress Catherine the Great, “defeater of Napoleon” Alexander I, and “tsar-liberator” Alexander II.
We will look at how their ideas shaped the city: from the Dutch-inspired system of canals to a grandiose Napoleonic-style “ensemble” of the Palace Square (dedicated, in fact, to Russia’s triumph over France in 1812-1814). We will explore how Anglophilia of the Romanovs gave rise to a chain of English gardens around the city (the Tsar’s Village and Pavlovsk) and how the idea of Russia as a “last bastion” of the monarchy led to the construction of St Isaac’s Cathedral (which inspired Washington’s Capitol) and the iconic Spilled Blood Church.
Led by local St. Petersburg art historian and author Vladimir Ivanov, this seminar aims to give you an understanding of the historic background of famous monuments of St. Petersburg. Designed to inform curiosity as well as future travels, participants will come away with an increased understanding of the role of Russia in the European history of the 18th and 19th centuries.

This conversation is suitable for all ages.

90 minutes, including a 30 minute Q&A.

Customer Reviews

Based on 27 reviews
81%
(22)
7%
(2)
7%
(2)
4%
(1)
0%
(0)
C
C.F. (Santa Monica, US)
A wonderful tour at a very difficult time…

This is a Wonderful introduction to the city of St. Petersburg. I have been there many times, and I always learn something new, particularly with Vladimir. I appreciate his love for his home town and its beauty and history and he makes it interesting.

K
K.E. (Renningen, DE)
Virtually Surveying St. Petersbug

Vladimir provided a concise and easy to follow chronology of the Romanov dynasty and its influence on the development of St. Petersburg - a beautiful city which was purposely planned and constructed.

Reviewer avatar
Beth Ann from Michigan (Yucca Valley, US)
Great Introduction to St. Petersburg

I have not yet had the opportunity to visit Russia but it's on my list. This lecture was a really good introduction to the city of St. Petersburg and the history behind the city. Vladimir Ivanov did a very nice job of unfolding the story. He uses great images and maps to support his story telling. I really enjoyed this lecture and would highly recommend it to anyone interested in learning more about St. Petersburg. Thanks to Vladimir, Russia just moved up on my travel wish list. ;-)

C
Carol
Petersburg at its best

Enjoyable travel- both review of places visited and Welcome introduction to new aspects and places. Excellent perspective.

R
Robert

St. Petersburg: Russia & The Romanovs' Dream City with Vladimir Ivanov

123

Customer Reviews

Based on 27 reviews
81%
(22)
7%
(2)
7%
(2)
4%
(1)
0%
(0)
C
C.F. (Santa Monica, US)
A wonderful tour at a very difficult time…

This is a Wonderful introduction to the city of St. Petersburg. I have been there many times, and I always learn something new, particularly with Vladimir. I appreciate his love for his home town and its beauty and history and he makes it interesting.

K
K.E. (Renningen, DE)
Virtually Surveying St. Petersbug

Vladimir provided a concise and easy to follow chronology of the Romanov dynasty and its influence on the development of St. Petersburg - a beautiful city which was purposely planned and constructed.

Reviewer avatar
Beth Ann from Michigan (Yucca Valley, US)
Great Introduction to St. Petersburg

I have not yet had the opportunity to visit Russia but it's on my list. This lecture was a really good introduction to the city of St. Petersburg and the history behind the city. Vladimir Ivanov did a very nice job of unfolding the story. He uses great images and maps to support his story telling. I really enjoyed this lecture and would highly recommend it to anyone interested in learning more about St. Petersburg. Thanks to Vladimir, Russia just moved up on my travel wish list. ;-)

C
Carol
Petersburg at its best

Enjoyable travel- both review of places visited and Welcome introduction to new aspects and places. Excellent perspective.

R
Robert

St. Petersburg: Russia & The Romanovs' Dream City with Vladimir Ivanov

123