Saint Petersburg - Glorious history and modern life in the Venice of the East

No city shines in summer like Saint Petersburg: the golden domes gleam by day, and during the White Nights in June, the sun does not set but conjures a mystical twilight. The magnificent buildings of the tsarist era meet a modern generation of Russians who celebrate their city and are proud of its founder, Peter the Great.

The young seamstress Maria Korolenko restores original garments of the tsar in the summer palace, Peterhof. She often works for months on a single jacket, an exclusive glimpse behind the scenes of one of Europe's most magnificent treasure troves. At night, Maria is drawn to the Neva River just like thousands of residents: they dance, sing, paint or fish.

All of Saint Petersburg exudes the spirit of the tsarist era. Peter the Great laid out the city on the model of Venice, with countless canals and bridges. Today, with five million inhabitants, it is the fourth largest metropolis in Europe. And it continues to grow.

For Maxim Korshunov, the tsar is his great role model. Like the ruler, Maxim was initiated into the secrets of boat building in the Netherlands. Now he has been allowed to reconstruct the first tall ship that Tsar Peter had built in St. Petersburg: the "Poltava". Only the last details are missing, and then the ship will be ready.

Viktor Fedotov is also fascinated by the tsarist era: the student stalks abandoned palaces hidden behind inconspicuous facades. Here, incredible splendor lies dormant, slowly decaying without anyone being bothered. Golden wall paneling and chandeliers in huge salons and dance halls, everything looks as if solemn parties had taken place here just a short time ago. The fact that Viktor has to climb over entrance gates is not entirely legal, but he knows no fear: "You don't go to jail for that, but you don't get fondled either. It's best not to get caught."

While Petersburgers celebrate their city and themselves during the White Nights, Alexander Romanov is on duty. Then the pilot boards one of the many freighters moored on the Neva River outside the city center and waits until night falls. During the day, Saint Petersburg is not passable for larger ships; the bridges over the great river do not allow it. But every night at 1:00 sharp there is an incomparable spectacle: then the bridges of the city open in close succession for the freighters. On the banks, countless people witness this spectacle. Especially around the Hermitage, the magnificent building of the city, formerly the winter palace of the tsar, today one of the largest museums in the world.

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