All Russian Photos were taken in Moscow and St Petersburg. Moscow dates from 1100 AD and has a population of about 8 million. St Petersburg has a population of about 5 million. Construction of the city began in 1703 by order of Czar Peter the Great, who named it Saint Petersburg after his patron saint. It is considered one of the most beautiful cities in Europe and is noted for its lavish Cathedrals and European style grand palaces. It is called by some the “Venice of the North” due to its many canals.