Saint Petersburg.

     St.Petersburg is the second largest city in Russia and one of the most beautiful cities in the world. It was founded in 1703 by Peter the Great as the “Window to Europe”. Thousands of workmen were brought from all parts of Russia to build a new city on the swampy land at the mouth of the river Neva. The work was very hard, but St.Petersburg was changing gradually into the city of great beauty. Peter the Great invited several famous European architects (Rossi, Tresini) to build beautiful palaces, cathedrals, and churches. Outstanding Russian architects (Zemtsov, Eropkin) were working on a par with foreign. In 1724 St.Petersburg became the capital of Russia. Under later rulers the new capital grew rapidly in wealth and beauty. A lot of wonderful buildings were constructed. The St.Petersburg’s palaces were equal to any in Europe.
     When the First World War began in 1914, the German-sounding name, St.Petersburg, was changed to Petrograd. After the Great October revolution the city was renamed after Lenin. In 1918 the capital was transferred to Moscow. During the Great Patriotic war the city suffered a great deal during the siege. People died of starvation. Daily bombing and air raids destroyed parts of the city, thousands of people were killed. Rebuilding took years. In 1990-ies the city was given its old name, St.Petersburg.
     Now St.Petersburg is an important industrial, cultural and educational center. The population of the city is over 5 million.
     St.Petersburg is indeed a wonderful city. At every turn there is something to catch your eye. The Winter Palace, the Hermitage, Russian Museum, St.Isaac’s Cathedral, the Peter-and-Paul Fortress, the Admiralty building attract thousands of tourists from every corner of the world.
     Petersburg’s museums house some of the world’s famous art collections. The Hermitage, for example, contains one of the richest collections of pictures in the world. The city is called Northern Venice because there are 65 rivers and canals there with artistically decorated bridges. St.Petersburg is also famous for its beautiful White nights.
     Now St.Petersburg is preparing for three hundredth anniversary. The celebration will take place this year.

Swampy - болотистый;
Mouth - устье;
Gradually - постепенно;
On a par - наравне;
Under later rulers the new capital grew rapidly in wealth and beauty. - При следующих правителях новая столица быстро становилась богаче и красивее.
Equal - равный;
German-sounding name - имя с немецким звучанием;
Was renamed after Lenin - был переименован в честь Ленина;
Transfer - перемещать;
Suffered a great deal - сильно пострадал;
Siege - блокада;
Starvation - голод;
Raids - налеты;
Rebuilding - восстановление;
Indeed - действительно;
At every turn there is something to catch your eye. - Как ни посмотри, всегда найдешь что-то, на чем остановишь свой взгляд.
Attract - привлекать;
House - вмещать;
Artistically - художественно;
Anniversary - юбилей.