Among the many poetical names of St.Petersburg in Russia the most common are the "Northern Venice" and "Northern Palmyra". It is called Venice because the latter city lies on a number of islands in the Venetian Lagoon, Adriatic Sea. St. Petersburg is also divided into numerous islands by the Neva, Fontanka and other rivers and canals.

They call it Palmyra because on its discovery that ancient capital became world famous for its perfect classical proportions; similarly, St. Petersburg presents a perfect combination of logical spacial composition and linear street layout with the wide openings of squares, tall verticals of its towers and belfries, figured railings, arch shaped bridges and granite embankments, all elements joined together to form a single work of art.

St. Petersburg stands out for its architectural ensembles. Their creators were not only architects but poets as well; they managed to combine columns and portals, arches and cupolas, Baroque lavishness and Classical austerity to produce the impression of perfect harmony. The names of Rossi and Rastrelli are the first to be mentioned among them. Others, Zakharov, Quarenghi, Thomas-de-Thomon, Vallin de la Mothe, possessed no less individuality and exhibited great tact towards their predecessors. Stakenschneider's architectural suite harmonizes the multi-style products of eclectism. Lidval and Suzor, masters of Art-Nouveau, were the first to introduce elaborate decoration and refined facade design in the architecture of apartment houses.

St. Petersburg has been divided into seven zones that are given conventional names, the division being based on the city's 18th-century layout. The central, Admiralty, part enclosed between the Neva and Fontanka, is especially rich in architectural monuments. The most prominent ensembles are centered along the Fontanka River.

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