Quick historical question...

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I was reading a book about the russian revolution and they kept refering to Petrograd. On the maps in the book it's placed at the same place as St-Petersbourg. And I know (well I think...) that St-Petersbourg was renamed Leningrad after the revolution, so.... is Petrograd a city near St-Petersbourg or is it the same city that has been renamed? I just thought this was the most appropriate forum to post this question. Thanks!

 

[Bhanderson]

IIRC Petrograd is the more Russian name for St. Petersburg. Same city, Russian name.

 

[Porcius]

IIRC, St. Petersburg changed its name to Petrograd during WWI because "burg" is Germanic, i.e., the language of the enemy. The name was just translated into Russian, hence Petrograd.

Which, of course, then became Leningrad some time after the Communist Revolution.

Three names, same city.

 

[Dark Knight]

I was reading a book about the russian revolution and they kept refering to Petrograd. On the maps in the book it's placed at the same place as St-Petersbourg. And I know (well I think...) that St-Petersbourg was renamed Leningrad after the revolution, so.... is Petrograd a city near St-Petersbourg or is it the same city that has been renamed? I just thought this was the most appropriate forum to post this question. Thanks!

In 1914, the city was renamed from the supposedly German "Saint Petersburg" to Petrograd. In 1924, the Bolsheviks renamed it Leningrad in honour of their recently deceased leader. In 1991, the name of Saint Petersburg was restored following a vote by its citizens.

 

[Orm]

And if I'm not mistaken during all this the people living there have kept refering to the city simply as 'Pitr'.

 

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St. Petersburg was founded (during the Northern War between Russia and Sweden) in 1703 by Peter I (Peter the Great), as an alternative capital to Moscow. Peter I wanted a more 'European' capital and based the city on French designs using Italian architects. In 1712 the Russian capital was formally moved to St. Petersburg, coinciding with Russian victory in the war and the declaration of the 'Russian Empire'. For the next 201 years until the start of the First World War St. Petersburg was the seat of all Russian monarchs and a centre of high society and culture (it was generally referred to only as 'Petersburg'). In August 1914 the Germanic 'St. Petersburg' was translated to a more patriotic Russian name, 'Petrograd' (grad means 'town' in Russian.), as Russia was now at war with Germany. In 1917, after the November Bolshevik Revolution, the Russian monarch (Nikolai II) was deposed and soon after, in 1918, the Communist government transferred the capital back to Moscow, firstly because they hated the 'bourguoisie (sp?) decadence' of the city, and secondly becaue German troops were closing in on the city. Finally, in 1924, the city was renamed 'Leningrad' in honour of Vlaidmir Lenin, hero of the Bolshevik Revolution, to coincide with the new constitution of the USSR (Union of Soviet Socialist Republics).

And, as Dark Knight says, in 1991 in a referendum, the people of the city voted to revert to the city's original name, that of St. Petersburg, which it retains today.

That is correct to the best of my knowledge. Haven't looked at Russian history for ages. Please correct me if I'm wrong

 

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http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St_Petersburg

 

[Orm]

St. Petersburg was founded (during the Northern War between Russia and Sweden) in 1703 by Peter I (Peter the Great), as an alternative capital to Moscow. Peter I wanted a more 'European' capital and based the city on French designs using Italian architects. In 1712 the Russian capital was formally moved to St. Petersburg, coinciding with Russian victory in the war and the declaration of the 'Russian Empire'. For the next 201 years until the start of the First World War St. Petersburg was the seat of all Russian monarchs and a centre of high society and culture (it was generally referred to only as 'Petersburg'). In August 1914 the Germanic 'St. Petersburg' was translated to a more patriotic Russian name, 'Petrograd' (grad means 'town' in Russian.), as Russia was now at war with Germany. In 1917, after the November Bolshevik Revolution, the Russian monarch (Nikolai II) was deposed and soon after, in 1918, the Communist government transferred the capital back to Moscow, firstly because they hated the 'bourguoisie (sp?) decadence' of the city, and secondly becaue German troops were closing in on the city. Finally, in 1924, the city was renamed 'Leningrad' in honour of Vlaidmir Lenin, hero of the Bolshevik Revolution, to coincide with the new constitution of the USSR (Union of Soviet Socialist Republics).

And, as Dark Knight says, in 1991 in a referendum, the people of the city voted to revert to the city's original name, that of St. Petersburg, which it retains today.

That is correct to the best of my knowledge. Haven't looked at Russian history for ages. Please correct me if I'm wrong

IIRC there was an earlier Swedish settlement called 'Nyen' at roughly the same location.

 

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Thanks everyone...