Petersburg is a city located in the north-western part of Russia, in the delta of the Neva River on the Gulf of Finland. In the years 1712-1918 the city was the capital of Russia and even today it is considered to be the most European city in the country. It is famous for its monumental classical architecture, numerous palaces, squares and Nevsky Prospect - the main shopping street, which is over 4 km long. Among the most important public buildings there is the Mariinsky Palace, which now houses the seat of the Saint Petersburg Legislative Assembly, i.e. the municipal authorities. There is the equestrian statue of the last Russian Tsar Nicholas II on the square in front of the palace.
