Space Identity: Th e Case of St. Petersburg

Abstract

St. Petersburg was founded in 1703 on Neva Bay of the Gulf of Finland. Staying on the numerous islands of Neva delta, the city is the biggest transportation hub of North-Western Russia. Having been Russia’s capital for more than 200 years, it has witnessed a lot of triumphs and crises, which resulted in the formation of specifi c citizen’s mentality. Th is mentality has created a unique geopolitical identity as a unique agglomeration — “internal overseas”. From the beginning the city, built during opening a ‘window to Europe’, was predetermined to have the special destiny. In order to analyze the space identity of St.Petersburg inhabitants there were conducted polls and in-depth interview with the citizens, including inhabitants, as well as experts in local history and cultural studies